Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. Click At this website is important to try both to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the 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 in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. These are the most common medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who take them. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working and they don't react as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Your physician may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects may range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also tell 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 known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. It is a combination of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in daily life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to deal with problems in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to monitor your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and modifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating events with their effects. During the treatment the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete the tasks.
In the initial sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. Depending on the degree of your illness you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with the therapy (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 such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you cope with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.