Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to determine which is more effective.

People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.

Stimulants

Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be consumed as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.

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

Around 70 to 80% people who are taking ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.

Some people find that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the side effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels, and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of 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 physician may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.

Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your physician, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they're considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, however they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is the combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and is able to be carried out in a private or group setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping a journal.

A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change your beliefs. They will also teach you how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.

While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs a slightly different approach, they all focus on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ different methods however they all are based on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for treating adult ADHD failing to complete the tasks.

During your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the skills. Based on the degree of your illness it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.

CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works in Treating Adult adhd in women treatment - Http://Velo-Xachmas.Com/ - which is prevalent in children as young as seven.

Counseling

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

A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways 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 events, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can teach you how to deal with addictions and 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.