Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.

People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.

Stimulants

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

They improve concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, 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, sleep disturbances and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of the people who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.

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

Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to How to get Treated for adhd in adults they act on neurotransmitters. Each group contains slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Your health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.

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

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

SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

The purpose of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. The method is a mix of two different therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change your beliefs. They will also help you learn how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.

While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During the therapy, the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete the tasks.

In the first few sessions the therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. Depending on the nature of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.

CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult adhd in adults symptoms and treatment which affects people as young seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. Usually these sessions last for around 50 minutes and can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted over the phone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues, as well as work-related difficulties.

A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They can detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also show you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.

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