Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Drugs and counseling are both effective first line treatment for adhd in adults options for ADD. Both are important to determine which is more effective.

People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.

Stimulants

Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and 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 pills, liquids, syrups or patches.

They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your physician about any concerns.

The use of medications can help reduce Adhd Symptoms treatment symptoms in around 70% to 80% of people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.

Some people don't like stimulants or don't like their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe nonstimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. The most common side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after beginning treatment.

Antidepressants

The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having medications 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).

Your health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for adhd in adults for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.

Antidepressants can have different side effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These side effects of untreated adhd in adults may be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.

SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).

The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and adhd Symptoms treatment venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new ways to deal with stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. It is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it can be performed in a private or group setting. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.

A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change these thoughts. They will also teach you how to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.

While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. In treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized if you fail to complete the task.

During your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the skills. You could require between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.

CBT is effective in treating adhd without medication a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adhd adult ADHD which affects people as young seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face, in groups or via phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues such as 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 counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.

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