Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment for inattentive adhd options for ADD. It is essential to try both to determine which is more effective.

People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. 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, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.

They improve concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. These are the most common medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, insomnia and increased blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.

About 70-80% people who use ADHD medications will experience a reduction in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.

Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't perform as efficiently. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group contains distinct medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Your doctor may prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.

Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications 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 fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered 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 are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, adhd diagnosis and treatment and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

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

CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. The method is a combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and can be performed in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.

A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques to help you face challenges in your day-to-day life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.

Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the trainer will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for not completing them.

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

CBT is effective in treating adhd without medication a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults suffering from untreated adhd in adults depression, which affects people as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and may be face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues as well as work-related difficulties.

A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.

Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.