Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.

People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.

Stimulants

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

They improve concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, insomnia and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns.

Medicines can lessen Adhd treatment Options symptoms in 70% to 80% of those who use them. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.

Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after starting treatment for add adhd in adults.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Your physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best treatment for adhd for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or serious depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.

SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

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

Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They may be useful for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for those suffering 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 notion that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.

CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist will also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.

While each what type of doctor treats adhd in adults of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and punish those who fail to complete the tasks.

In your first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the abilities. Depending on the severity of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.

CBT is effective in treating inattentive adhd a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment ADHD which affects people as young seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues and also work-related issues.

A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you coping strategies and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.

Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.