Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.

People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, aswell being hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.

Stimulants

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

They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.

Around 70 to 80 percent of people who are taking ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.

Certain people find that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that act 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).


A doctor might suggest you start taking one of these groups in order to relieve depression and 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. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.

Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.

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

treatment for adhd adults of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they're considered to be 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 are used to boost your energy levels which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected 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 anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group or individually. The therapist will instruct you on various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also teach you how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to help you to track your progress.

Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized for failing to complete them.

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

CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues as well as work-related issues.

A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.

Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.