Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD Both are important to test to determine which is more effective People suffering from classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus They also have low levels of dopamine Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels Stimulants Stimulants accelerate the body's systems They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin They can also be illegally used and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine They are available in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin They enhance concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns About https//wwwiampsychiatryuk/adhd-treatment-for-adults/ -80 people who take ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started, and they don't act as fast They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain Examples include atomoxetine clonidine and guanfacine and clonidine Drowsiness is the most common side consequence However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of bed The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after beginning treatment Antidepressants Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of 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 physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms These medications might not provide immediate relief It can take several weeks to feel their full benefits Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment This is called augmenting The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole Abilify as well as quetiapine Seroquel and lithium Lithobid Antidepressants can have different side effects It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities These side effects can range from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like 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 as well as paroxetine Paxil, Pexeva and sertraline Zoloft SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in 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 drugs SNRIs include duloxetine Cymbalta and venlafaxine Effexor Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake They may be useful for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety Bupropion Wellbutrin and Zyban as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues Cognitive behavioural therapy CBT is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues It is based upon the notion that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors The technique is a mixture of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term and can be done in a group or individual setting You will be taught various techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in your everyday life Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these assumptions They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your daily life Therapists in CBT will also help you to set goals that are SMART specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based to make it easier to track your progress While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects During the therapy, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and punish you for not completing them During the first few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities Depending on the degree of your illness, you may require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders PTSD It is also effective for adults with ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven Counselling Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with the therapist counsellor to discuss your concerns Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face in groups, or over the phone Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues, as well as work-related difficulties A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective viewpoint They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to change them They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress, or depression They can help you deal with major life changes such as divorce or the loss of a loved one They can also show you how to manage addictions or a chronic illness Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor