Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are crucial to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
natural add treatment accelerate the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medications, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side consequence. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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 health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost 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 medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the notion that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term procedure that can teach you new ways to cope with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized if you fail to complete the task.
In the first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They can be face to face, in groups or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues, and also work-related issues.
A counselor will 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 can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.