Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more efficient.

People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.

Stimulants

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

They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your physician about any concerns.

Around 70 to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.

Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. The most common side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of beginning treatment.

Antidepressants

The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group contains somewhat different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

A doctor might recommend one of these groups in order to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects can range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.

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

SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels which help you feel more alert. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can adhd get worse if untreated cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, adhd treatment for older adults and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment adhd for mental health issues. It is based upon the idea that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term procedure that can teach you new strategies to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.

The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. It is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.

A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.

Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the therapy, the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and punish you for not completing them.

In the initial few sessions, your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the skills. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your illness.

CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via the phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues and also work-related issues.

A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adapting 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 for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.