Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.

People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.

Stimulants

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

They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.

The use of medications can help reduce adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment symptoms in about 70% to 80% of those who can diagnose and treat adhd use them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.

Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the negative effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants work by changing the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs that perform 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 medical professional might recommend one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.

Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the notion 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 problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

The goal of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. The method is a mix of two different therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or individually. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They will also show you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.

While each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and modifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. In treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be punished if you fail to complete them.

During the first few sessions your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the skills. Depending on the nature of your condition it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.

CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or via telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues - as well as work-related difficulties.

A counselor will pay attention to your problems and offer an objective view. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you strategies for coping and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes like divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also show you how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.

Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.