Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They can be consumed as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70% to 80% people who are taking ADHD medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medications, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do aid in improving attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to get started and they don't react as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and they don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side consequence. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications 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 might suggest you start taking one of these groups to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your doctor since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These effects can vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they are considered to be 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 can be used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most popular. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the idea that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term procedure that can teach you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. It is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group or in a private setting. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. iampsychiatry of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to deal with problems in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals in order to help you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles of operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete the tasks.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face, in groups or via telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will pay attention to your problems and offer an objective view. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.