Ogle Udsen posted an update 1 month ago
Treatments For ADD – Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body’s systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain’s synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns.
About 70-80 percent of those who use ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medications, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Certain people find that stimulants don’t work well or they don’t like the adverse effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These medications aren’t as efficient as stimulants, but they can help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working, and they don’t act as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and don’t raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain’s chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having drugs 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).
A health care provider may start you on a medication from one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefit. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you’re using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John’s wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of the most common. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful 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 scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the notion that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you’ll be able to apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
treatment of add can help you identify the negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these assumptions. They’ll also help you develop problem-solving techniques so that you are able to face challenges in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to help you to monitor your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for not completing the tasks.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you build the skills. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your illness.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your concerns. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.