Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

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

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

Stimulants


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

They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.

Some people discover that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the adverse effects. In this instance doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

untreated adhd in adults iampsychiatry take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side consequence. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants work by changing the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how 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 to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best treatment for you. You may mix two antidepressants or other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.

SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be 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 utilized for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They could be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems

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

CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group setting or individually. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.

A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also show you how to solve problems in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to help you to keep track of your progress.

While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete the tasks.

In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you master the skills. Based on the severity of your condition it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.

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

Counselling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various 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 work-related difficulties.

A counselor will pay attention to your problems and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to manage addictions or 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.