Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more effective.

People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.

Stimulants

Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.

They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.

The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects don't always long-lasting.

Some people find that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the side effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medicines take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside in several weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct 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 belonging to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It can take several weeks to experience their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These effects may vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.

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

SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as 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 drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. treatment for adult add are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that can help you learn new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. It is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.

A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques to help you face challenges in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.


While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and modifying the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the therapy the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for failing to complete them.

During the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. It is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.

CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts around 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via telephone. Counselling can help people with 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 pay attention to your concerns and provide an objective view. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change 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 the loss of a loved one. They can also show 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 care plan from your doctor.