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 are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances like cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also 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 decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of people who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well or they aren't able to handle the side effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. The most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications that work 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 relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. adhd natural treatment may not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to experience the full benefit. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used for their energizing effects which help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most common. These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. 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 depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals to help you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use different techniques however they all are based on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete the tasks.
During your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the abilities. Based on the severity of your condition, you may require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues, and also work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to modify them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.