Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are crucial to test to see which is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interfere with some medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medication will experience reduced symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the negative effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. www.iampsychiatry.uk may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. The most frequently reported adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. 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 beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs that act 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 health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects, since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within 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. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most popular. These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term procedure that can teach you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The technique is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or individually. The therapist will instruct you on various methods, and you'll apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to deal with problems in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to establish SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. While you are in treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be penalized for failing to complete them.
In the first few sessions the therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you master the skills. Based on the severity of your condition, you may require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adult ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective view. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.