What Are The Reasons You Should Be Focusing On Making Improvements To Treatments For ADD
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are important to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as pills, syrups, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain 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 about 70 percent to 80% of the people who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medications, and the effects don't always lasting.
Some people find that stimulants aren't working well or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side consequence. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having medications 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).
Your physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more efficient 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 for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will guide you through various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping a journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete the tasks.
In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. Depending on adhd untreated in adults of your condition, you may require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled sessions with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to manage 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 plans from your doctor.