Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are crucial to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine. They can be consumed as pills, syrups, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who are taking ADHD medication will experience a reduction in symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the adverse effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medication. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working, and they don't act as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of bed. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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).
Your health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they're considered 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 are used to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, however they are beneficial to 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 behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and is able to be carried out in a private or group setting. A therapist will guide you through various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete them.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you build the abilities. Depending on the degree of your illness it could take anywhere from 6-20 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 is also effective in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with an therapy (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues - as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen attentively to your problems and offer an objective view. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to change them. treatment of add in adults will be able to teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you deal with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can help you learn to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.