Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are crucial to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including 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 in combination with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of people who are taking them. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. treatment for add prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and Clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect 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 health care provider might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best treatment for you. They may combine two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These adverse effects can be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels and help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. secret info can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. The technique is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term and can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught various methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can face challenges in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. In treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. Additionally, you will be punished for failing to complete the task.
In the first few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the techniques. Based on the nature of your condition, you may require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change 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 like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.