Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is essential to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, aswell being hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of people who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the negative effects. If treatment of add is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. treatment of add is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Your physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects could be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they are considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the belief that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group or individually. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll apply them in daily life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They will also teach you how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to set goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing them.
In the initial few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you master the skills. Based on the severity of your condition it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will pay attention to your concerns and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.