Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is important to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of people who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or don't like their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and they don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs that act in slightly different ways. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A medical professional may start you on a medication from one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefit. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most common. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group or on an individual basis. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and modifying the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. In treatment you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be punished when you fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the abilities. Based on the nature of your condition you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). treatment of add can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective view. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.