Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to test to see which is more effective.

People suffering from classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to non pharmacological treatment for adhd.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They can be consumed in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.

They improve concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbances 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.

About 70% to 80% people who take restless legs adhd treatment medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.

Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or don't like their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't perform as efficiently. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that work 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 doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or add other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or serious dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications such as St. John's wort.

SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason they're believed 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 venlafaxine (Effexor).

Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness 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 also to aid smokers in quitting.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. 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 also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.

A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.

While each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete them.

In 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 assigned homework to help you build the abilities. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.

CBT is effective in Treating Adhd without medication a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It is also effective for adult undiagnosed adhd in adults treatment that affects people as young as seven.

Counseling

Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your issues. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be face to face, in groups or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from many mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues - and also work-related issues.

A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest natural ways to treat adhd to modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.

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