10 Mistaken Answers To Common Treatments For ADD Questions Do You Know The Correct Answers?
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of the people who are taking them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the side effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of 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).
A health care provider might suggest you start taking one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medicine is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines 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 because some could affect your daily activities. These effects may vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
treat adhd in adults are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with negative stressors 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 emotions or behaviors. The method is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done in a group or individually. The therapist will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to set SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use different techniques but they are all based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the trainer will give you a reward for completing tasks and punish those who fail to complete them.
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 master the skills. Depending on the degree of your illness you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from many mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues, and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully 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 coping skills and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also help you learn how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.
