Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.


People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.

Stimulants

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

They improve concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.

Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who take them. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects don't always lasting.

Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working and they don't react as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group contains distinct medications. treating adult add include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

A medical professional might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They can also add other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These adverse effects may be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications such as St. John's wort.

SSRIs have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely 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 people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or individually. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping an account of your thoughts.

A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can face challenges in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.

While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You will also be punished for failing to complete them.

During your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. Based on the nature of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.

CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments that include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues such as 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 pay attention to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.

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