Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more effective.

People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.

Stimulants

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

They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns.

Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of those who can treat adhd in adults are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.

Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their adverse effects. In this situation doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on 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 doctor may prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.

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

SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the notion that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.

The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. It is a combination of two therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to deal with problems in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.

Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use different techniques however they all are based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli to their effects. During treatment you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You'll also be penalized for failing to complete the task.

During your first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the skills. Based on the nature of your condition you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.

CBT is effective in treating adhd without medication inattentive adhd (oysterbaker80.Bravejournal.net) a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They may be face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via the telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues - as well as work-related difficulties.

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 can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.

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