Carol Shipp asked 3 months ago
Treatments For ADD – Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body’s systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They can be consumed as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain’s synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and help improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from adhd in adults untreated. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who use them. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects may not be lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don’t work for them or they aren’t able to handle the negative effects. In this instance, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and don’t perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. The most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain’s chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group has somewhat different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A medical professional might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the most effective medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you’re taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you’re taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John’s wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason 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. The 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 who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, Adhd Treatment medication and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new ways to cope with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through different methods, and you’ll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
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 show you how to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to establish goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves the association of stimuli with their effects. In treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. You will also be penalized when you fail to complete them.
In your initial sessions, you and your therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the skills. Based on the severity of your condition you could require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They can be face to face in groups, or over the telephone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues, and also work-related issues.
A counselor will listen attentively to your problems and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you deal with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.