Ask Me Anything: 10 Responses To Your Questions About Treatments For ADD
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be consumed as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. treatment for add reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of those who are taking them. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working and don't work as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side consequence. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called 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 doctor may start you on one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. treatments for adhd might not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why they're considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They may be useful for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. It is a combination of two therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They will also help you learn how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to keep track of your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During the therapy, the trainer will give you a reward for completing tasks and punish those who fail to complete the tasks.
In the initial few sessions the therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. It is possible that you will require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults suffering from ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will pay attention to your concerns and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can modify them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to manage addictions and 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.