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 effective.

People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.

Stimulants

Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally often in combination with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.

They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns.

Around 70 to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.

Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the negative effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started, and they don't act as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and Guanfacine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

A doctor may start you on one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety Symptoms of adhd in adults and treatment. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effects of your non pharmacological treatment for adhd. This is called augmentation. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.

Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.

SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more efficient 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 can be utilized to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They could be helpful for people who have insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental 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 problems and bad habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.

The aim of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group or individually. The therapist will instruct you on various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to help you to monitor your progress.

Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy, the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize you for failing to complete them.

In the initial few sessions your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the skills. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the severity and nature of your condition.

CBT is effective in treating inattentive adhd a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues as well as issues related to work.

A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also show you how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.

Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.