Darla Alford

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 effective.

People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.

Stimulants

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

They enhance concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.

The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who are taking them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.

Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working and they don't react as fast. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to 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).

A health care provider might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which doctor treats adhd medication works best for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effects of Untreated adhd in Adults of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious dependent on the type of antidepressant that you are taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as 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 in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels, helping you to feel more awake. They can be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group setting or individually. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.

A Therapist can also assist you in identifying 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 deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.

While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that what is adhd treatment for adults slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing the tasks.

In the initial few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you develop the abilities. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.

CBT is effective in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.

A counsellor will listen carefully to your issues and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest natural ways to treat adhd to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also help you learn how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.

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