Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are essential to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
natural add treatment stimulate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of people who take them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. In this situation doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having medications 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 doctor may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These adverse effects can vary from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also inform 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 have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient 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 your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They could be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new strategies to handle negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and can be done in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can face challenges in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the treatment, the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing them.
In the first few sessions the therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you master 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 number of conditions that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can change them. They can help you learn techniques 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 one. They can help you learn to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.