Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. 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, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who take ADHD medications will notice reduced symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their adverse effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. treatment adult adhd I Am Psychiatry are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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 offer immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They can also add other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe, depending on the type 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 such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why 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 are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most common. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the notion that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive feelings or behaviours. It is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to aid you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use different techniques but they are all based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for not completing them.
In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety 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 kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you deal with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also show you how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.