Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are important to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, 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 syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80 percent of people who take ADHD medication will experience reduced symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to begin working and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to 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 medical professional might recommend a medication from one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel their full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere 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 taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term procedure that can teach you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviors. The method is a mix of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or in a private setting. The therapist will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to solve problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to help you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ different methods however they all are based on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing the tasks.
During your initial sessions, you and your therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. It is possible that you will require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the severity and nature of your illness.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They can be face to face, in groups or over the telephone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.
add adult treatment I Am Psychiatry for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.