Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are crucial to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost 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 can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and increased blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns.
About 70-80 percent of those who use ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to work and don't perform as efficiently. adult add treatment do not raise dopamine levels, and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and clonidine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Your doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmenting. Read Home Page used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and make you feel more alert. They may be useful for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. It is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. A therapist will guide you through various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A therapist can assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to keep track of your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the underlying mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use different techniques but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. In treatment you will be awarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be punished when you fail to complete the task.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the abilities. Based on the severity of your condition you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and may be face-to-face in groups, or over the telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They can detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can modify them. They can teach you coping skills and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also show you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.