Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. treat adult adhd are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of 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 such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to 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 also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80 percent of those who take ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working and they don't react as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how 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).
A doctor may start you on a medication from one of these groups to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or serious dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They may be useful for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that can help you learn new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. It is a combination of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that is often short-term and is able to be carried out in a private or group setting. The therapist will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to help you to keep track of your progress.
While each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies 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 stimuli with their effects. During the treatment, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete the tasks.
In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist in order to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.