Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

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

People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.

Stimulants

Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.

They improve concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. These are the most common medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

About 70-80 percent of those who take ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.

Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. In this instance, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and they don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how to get treated for adhd in adults they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having drugs that work 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).

Your doctor may prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms of adhd in adults and treatment. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most popular enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.

Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may 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 medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as 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), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).

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

Atypical antidepressants are primarily used for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. 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 depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist will also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.

While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be punished if you fail to complete the task.

During the first few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You may be given homework to help you build the abilities. Based on the degree of your illness you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.

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

Counselling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of 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 problems and offer an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.

Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.