Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are essential to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used, often mixed with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who use ADHD medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and don't work as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequently reported adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect these neurotransmitters with each class having a variety of medications that act 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 might recommend a medication from one of these groups in order to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will determine the most effective medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe, depending on the type antidepressant that you are 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 such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They are beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. mouse click the up coming website page are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. It is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They will also teach you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to keep track of your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods however they all are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the therapy the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete the tasks.
In the first few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. You could require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The typical session lasts around 50 minutes and may be face-to-face in groups, or via telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing 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 chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.