Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are crucial to determine which is more effective.

People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.

Stimulants

Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.

They improve concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your physician about any concerns.

The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of those who use them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.

Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medicines take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side consequence. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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 health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medicine is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects can vary from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.

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

The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most popular. add in adults treatment can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. The technique is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term and can be done in a private or group setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.

A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to make it easier for you to keep track of your progress.

Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. In treatment you will be awarded for completing tasks. You'll also be penalized when you fail to complete the task.

In your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you master the skills. You may need between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.

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

Counselling

Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They may be face-to-face, in groups or via the phone. Counselling can help people with a range of 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 issues related to work.


A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.

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