Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
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Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. view it reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. These are the most common medication prescribed to people 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 interfere with some medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of people who are taking them. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side result. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of bed. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A medical professional might recommend 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 the full benefit. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different side effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, including 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 antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, however they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new ways to deal with stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The technique is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist, and then you'll use them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to aid you to monitor your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. While you are in treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. Additionally, you will be punished if you fail to complete the task.
In the first few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build 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 wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can change them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.