Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. treatment of add are crucial to test to see which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). treatment for adult add are available as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, 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, insomnia and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of the people who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medications, and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work well or they aren't able to handle the side effects. In this situation doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working and they don't react as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most common side result. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to 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).
A medical professional might recommend one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different side effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects can vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why 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 medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most common. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the notion that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new ways to deal with stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. It is a combination of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught different techniques 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 thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing the tasks.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled sessions with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues including 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 problems and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.