Treatments For ADD: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to test to see which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used, often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as pills, liquids, 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 improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and increased blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects may not be lasting.
Some people find that stimulants aren't working well or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and they don't react as fast. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and they don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most common side consequence. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect these 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).
A doctor might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups in order to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They can also add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most popular augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These side effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and 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 are used for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for 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.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new ways to cope with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or individually. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles of operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. You may need between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults suffering from ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can help people with 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 issues related to work.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can change them. They can teach you coping strategies and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. treat adult adhd can assist you in dealing with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.