15 Best Treatments For ADD Bloggers You Should Follow
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are essential to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in 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 accelerate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (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 that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of the people who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and don't perform as efficiently. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that work 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 doctor may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best treatment for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they're considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. I Am Psychiatry is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and can be performed in a group or individual setting. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be penalized if you fail to complete the task.
During the first few sessions the therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. You could require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders that include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues - as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.