Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. add and treatment Iam Psychiatry can also be illegally used and are often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as decreased appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of people who use them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side consequence. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on 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 health care provider might prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you can feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as 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 paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviors. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. A therapist will teach you different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change your beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques so that you are able to face challenges in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and changing the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete the tasks.
During your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the abilities. Based on the nature of your condition it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress 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 that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the telephone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies 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 also teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.