Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. Both are important to test to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. treatment of add are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who take them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group contains distinct 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 to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are 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 have been found to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and modifying the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use different techniques but they are all based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the trainer will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize those who fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions, you and your therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. Depending on the nature of your condition, you may require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face, in groups or via phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from many mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues - as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
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.