Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are crucial to determine which is more effective.

People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and disorganized, [Redirect-302] as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.

Stimulants

Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be taken in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.

They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your physician about any concerns.

About 70-80 percent of those who use adhd treatment adults medication will experience reduced symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects don't always long-lasting.

Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. In this instance doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. The most common side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these 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 doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will determine the best treatment for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.

Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment for adhd and ptsd combined of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based upon the belief that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviors. It is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it can be done in a group or individual setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.

A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also teach you how to treat anxiety and adhd to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.

Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and punish those who fail to complete them.

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

CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adhd adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and may be face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.

A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns Signs of Untreated adhd behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can help you learn 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 cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.

Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.