Treatments For ADD – Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. Both are crucial to test to see which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body’s systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They can be consumed as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They improve 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 commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it’s crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of the people who take them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people find that stimulants aren’t working well, or they can’t tolerate the negative effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medication. They aren’t as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and aren’t as effective. They don’t raise dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that perform 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 to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effects of your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects could be severe or Treatments For Add mild depending on the kind of antidepressant you’re taking. Tell your doctor if you’re taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs 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. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels 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 medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more alert. They are beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new strategies to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It’s a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it can be done in a private or group setting. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you’ll apply them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change your beliefs. They’ll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish 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 therapies are focused on identifying and modifying the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment, the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize those who fail to complete the tasks.
In the initial few sessions the therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the skills. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and treatments for add nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adult add treatments ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your issues and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also show you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.