Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate 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 like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. 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 70% to 80% of the people who use them. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to work and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. The most common side effect of these medications is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A doctor may start you on one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will decide the most effective medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your physician, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as 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 utilized to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
natural add treatment for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. It is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a private or group setting. A therapist will guide you through different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to set SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. In treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. Additionally, you will be punished if you fail to complete the task.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. Based on the severity of your condition it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (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 consists of planned, regular meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues, as well as issues related to work.
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 to change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.