Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is essential to try both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). holistic treatment for adhd are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who are taking ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. In this instance doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working, and they don't act as fast. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat different 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 medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. 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 those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process which can help you develop new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. It is a combination of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating events with their effects. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for not completing the tasks.
During the first few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. Depending on the nature of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your concerns and offer an objective view. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can help you learn to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.