Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the side effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. The most common side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
about his alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group has somewhat different 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 belonging to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience their full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These effects may range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as 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. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people who have insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, however they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the idea that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. The therapist will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During the therapy, the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete the tasks.
In the first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you master the abilities. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.