treatments for adult add For ADD - Drugs and Counselling

Drugs and visit counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more effective.

People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.

Stimulants

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

They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. These are the most common drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of those who are taking them. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects aren't always lasting.

Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.

Nonstimulant medicines take longer to get started and don't work as fast. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side consequence. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after beginning treatment.

Antidepressants

Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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).

A health care provider may start you on a medication from one of these groups in order to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medicine is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants or add treatment for adults other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).

Antidepressants can have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.

SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).

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

Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They could be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.

Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues

Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for [empty] mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.

The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and can be performed in a group or individual setting. A therapist will guide you through various techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping an account of your thoughts.

A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They will also teach you how to solve problems in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.

While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for completing tasks. You will also be penalized when you fail to complete them.

In the first few sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build the abilities. Based on the severity of your condition you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.

CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.

Counselling

Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be face to face, in groups or via the telephone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues and also work-related issues.

A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. 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 when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.