The Most Pervasive Problems With Treatments For ADD
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
About 70-80 percent of those who use ADHD medication will experience a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working and they don't react as fast. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are 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).
Your health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the most effective medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels, helping you to feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that feelings, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new methods to manage anxiety and negative 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. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done in a group or on an individual basis. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping an account of your thoughts.
Suggested Browsing will also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques to help you handle challenges that come up in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to establish SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While made my day of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing the tasks.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. Depending on the nature of your condition you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues, and also work-related issues.
A counselor will pay attention to your problems and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.