Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are crucial to test to see which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects don't always lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the adverse effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and they do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication before the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group contains 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 health care provider might recommend a medication from one of these groups to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs 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 efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used to boost your energy levels which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most popular. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
add and treatment for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. It is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or individually. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to help you to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use different techniques but they are all based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli to their effects. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. You will also be penalized if you fail to complete the task.
During your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the skills. Based on the degree of your illness it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face, in groups or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective view. add and treatment will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you cope with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also show you how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.