https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-treatment-for-adults/ For ADHD
The most common treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients who have active issues with substance abuse should not take stimulant medications. However, those in stable remission can look into them. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the drug. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and less impulsivity are all signs that the medication is working.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can increase blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take them. They are controlled substances that are prone to abuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists, or in some cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will lower the dose to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
About 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders in the adolescent years. However, this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.
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