Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is important to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used often in combination with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who are taking ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or don't like their side effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working and don't work as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and they don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most frequently reported adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs that perform 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 belonging to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere with your daily activities. These effects may be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. source web page include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient 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 primarily used for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. It is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to handle challenges that come up in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to make it easier for you to keep track of your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use different techniques however they all are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You will also be punished for failing to complete them.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your illness.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults suffering from ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They may be face-to-face, in groups or via the telephone. Counselling can assist people suffering from many mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will pay attention to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.