Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is important to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available legally 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 often in combination with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be consumed in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of the people who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or don't like their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to get started and don't work as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications 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 in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or 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, such as prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they are considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They could be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term process that can teach you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be done in a private or group setting. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists advise you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to monitor your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be punished if you fail to complete them.
During the first few sessions your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
adhd natural treatment can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your concerns and offer an objective view. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to modify them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.