Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

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

People with classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.

Stimulants

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

They improve concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be lasting.

Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and don't perform as efficiently. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and the guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on 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 health care provider might suggest you start taking one of these groups in order to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

add treatments for adults may have 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 can range from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.

SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. add treatments for adults include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most common. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems

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

The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The technique is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be done in a private or group setting. The therapist will instruct you on various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.


While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be punished for failing to complete the task.

In your first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the severity and nature of your condition.

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 that affects people as young as seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist in order to discuss your issues. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues as well as work-related problems.

A counselor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can change them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.

Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.