Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are important to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80% people who take ADHD medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and the clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having 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).
Your physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to feel the full benefit. adhd natural treatment and you will decide on the best medication for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell 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 less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be 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 used for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new ways to deal with negative thoughts and stressors. 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. The technique is a mixture of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also teach you how to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals to aid you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists use different techniques but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy, the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete them.
In your first few sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you master the abilities. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. 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 relationships, friendships and family issues, as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They will be able to 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 adjusting to major life changes such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.