Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to test to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase as part of treatment.
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 like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and 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, insomnia and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who use ADHD medications will experience a reduction in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the adverse effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group contains 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 medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the most effective medication for you. They can also add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious dependent on the type of antidepressant that you are taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-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 short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new ways to deal with negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive feelings or behaviours. The method is a mix of two therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or on an individual basis. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. treat adhd Iam Psychiatry employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize those who fail to complete them.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. Based on the degree of your illness it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will pay attention to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They can detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can modify them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also help you learn how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.