treatments for adhd For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are essential to determine which is more effective.

People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase as part of treatment.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including 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 mixed with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.

They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, insomnia and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Medicines can lessen untreated adhd in adults depression symptoms in around 70% to 80% of those who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects don't always long-lasting.

Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and Guanfacine. The most frequently reported adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct medications. 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 suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications like St. John's wort.

SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people with anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for adhd for mental health issues. It is based on the notion that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. It is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and is able to be carried out in a private or group setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals in order to help you to track your progress.

Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. While you are in treatment for inattentive adhd in Adults, you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You'll also be punished for failing to complete them.

During your first few sessions, you and your therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. You could require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your illness.

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

Counseling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related problems.

A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can teach you how 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.