Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are important to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of people who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. If iampsychiatry.uk is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side consequence. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by 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 doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to feel the full benefit. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. These effects may be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels and help you feel more alert. They could be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most common. These medications can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people 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 an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the notion that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group or individually. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating stimuli with their effects. During the therapy, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. You could require between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They can be face to face in groups, or over the telephone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also show you how to manage addictions or 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.