Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which is more efficient.

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

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the efficiency of 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 are also illegally used, often mixed with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.

They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from adhd treatment for adults. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your physician about any concerns.

The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of people who are taking them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.

Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. In this instance doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side result. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting psychological treatment for adhd in Adults.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group contains 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 health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications such as St. John's wort.

SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed 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 as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered 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 can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done in a group or on an individual basis. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.

A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to adopting maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to track your progress.

Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During treatment you will be awarded for the accomplishment of tasks. Additionally, you will be punished when you fail to complete the task.

In the initial few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.

CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.

A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can alter them. They can teach you coping skills and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.

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.