add treatment for adults iampsychiatry.uk For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is crucial to test both to determine which is more efficient.

People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, aswell being hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.

Stimulants

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

They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

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

Some people discover that stimulants don't work well or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. In this situation doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medicines take longer to begin working and don't work as fast. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and Guanfacine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after beginning treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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 health care provider might recommend a medication from one of these groups to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the most effective medication for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.

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


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

Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or on an individual basis. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.

A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to help you to monitor your progress.

While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the treatment, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for failing to complete the tasks.

In the first few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. Depending on the degree of your illness you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.

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

Counseling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues as well as work-related difficulties.

A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you deal with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a loved. 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, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.