Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

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

People with 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 the levels of dopamine.

Stimulants

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

They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns.

About 70% to 80 percent of those who are taking ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects may not be long-lasting.

Some people find that stimulants don't work well, or they can't tolerate the side effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working, and they don't act as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. treatment for adult add include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side result. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that work 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 medical professional might recommend one of these groups to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best treatment for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or serious depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).

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


Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

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

The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term and can be done in a group or individual setting. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.

A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.

While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During the treatment, the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete the tasks.

In the initial few sessions your therapist will help you identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.

CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues as well as issues related to work.

A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective perspective. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you cope with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.

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