Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

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

People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized 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. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.

Stimulants

Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are legally available 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 in combination with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be consumed in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.

They enhance concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with adhd treatment options. They can cause side-effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

About 70% to 80 percent of those who take ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.

Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side result. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.

Antidepressants

The majority of antidepressants alter the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications 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).

A health care provider may start you on one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It is important to discuss these side long-term effects of untreated adhd in adults with your doctor since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These effects of untreated adhd in adults can vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.

SSRIs have been found to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more effective 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 primarily used to boost your energy levels which help you feel more alert. They are beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the belief that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.

A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.

While each form of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists use different techniques but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves the association of stimuli with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be punished for failing to complete them.

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

CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating Adult adhd diagnostic Assessment and treatment adhd overstimulation treatment which is prevalent in children as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related problems.

A counsellor will listen carefully to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to get treated for adhd in adults to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.

Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.