Three Of The Biggest Catastrophes In Treatments For ADD History
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are essential to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the 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 legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of the people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working, and they don't act as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group has distinct medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A medical professional might suggest you start taking one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will determine the best medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to improve the effects of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, as some may 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. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used for their energizing effects and help you feel more alert. They could be helpful for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the idea that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. The method is a mix of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and can be done in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to make it easier for you to track your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During the therapy the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete them.
In the initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build the skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They may be face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family, and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. made a post can also teach you how to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.