How Is ADHD Treated in Adults?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsADHD TypesAssessmentTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

ADHD Types

Assessment

Treatment

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition with an estimated global prevalence of about 4%.That means about 4% of the world’s population has ADHD, and that number is steadily growing as we learn more about the nuances of the disorder and its complexities.

With so many varied symptoms and ways this disorder can manifest, it can be hard to know what route of treatment is best for you.

This article discusses ADHD and how it differs from ADD, how ADHD is diagnosed, and explains treatment options available to adults with ADHD.

What to Know About Adult ADHD Testing

The DSM-5 breaks ADHD down into three different types:

Predominantly Inattentive-type ADHD

Predominantly Inattentive-type ADHD requires that an individual have six or more of the followingsymptoms:

Hyperactive/Impulsive-type ADHD

Hyperactive/Impulsive-type ADHD requires that an individual have six or more of the following symptoms:

Combined-type ADHDrequires that an individual meet criteria for both inattentive-type and hyperactive/impulsive-type ADHD.

The Three ADHD Subtypes and How to Recognize Them

ADHD Assessment for Adults

Since ADHD is a lifelong diagnosis, you are never too old for an ADHD evaluation.Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical and mental health professionals with appropriate trainingcan diagnose ADHD. Most physicians have referral information for where their patients can get an ADHD evaluation.

If someone was not diagnosed in childhood but notices that they have many of these symptoms, they can seek ADHD testing as an adult.

There are many psychological assessment measures that can be used to diagnose ADHD in adults, including:

The evaluator will also gather detailed information about the client’s history, usually in the form of adiagnostic interview, which provides context for the assessment measures used.

How Do I Choose a Psychiatrist for ADHD?

ADHD Treatment for Adults

When it comes to treatment for any mental health diagnosis, the individual’s unique needs are prioritized. Talk to the providers on your treatment team about your concerns, questions, and preferences to determine what approach best fits you, and ask about the different options available to you.

Typically, ADHD treatment options for adults includemedication, therapy, skill building, and appropriate accommodations.

Medication

Medication optionsfor ADHD treatment in adults include stimulant (such asAdderallandRitalin) and non-stimulant (such asStratteraandGuanfacine) medications.

Medications help regulate impulses and sharpen focus. Some take ADHD medication daily, and some take it specifically on days when they need to complete specific tasks that require a lot of focus.Consult your primary physician about medication options for your ADHD diagnosis.They will either discuss options with you or refer you to a specialist who can help.

Therapy

Adults with ADHD often benefit from ongoingtherapyservicesto process life stressors and develop behavioral skills for symptom management.Cognitive-behavioral therapy,mindfulness-based therapy,and brief motivational interviewingoffer evidence-based approaches forADHD treatment in adults.

Social Support

Ongoing support is essential to every person’s well-being. If an adult with ADHD is in a long-term, committed relationship, theirpartner can benefit from supportto help the couple through the unique challenges that ADHD could bring to their relationship.

Treatment for Comorbidities

More than half of adults with ADHD have at least onecomorbid diagnosis.The specific treatment plan depends on the individual’s needs and diagnoses. For example, those with ADHD might also have a diagnosis of a disruptive, impulse-control, orconduct disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder,obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, trauma-related disorder, substance use disorder, orpersonality disorder.

In addition, a high number of individuals with ADHD also meet the diagnostic criteria forautism spectrum disorderor a learning disorder.

Adults with ADHD can access treatment resources, regardless of whether or not they were diagnosed in childhood. Talk to your healthcare provider about which treatment is the best for you.

Neurofeedback Treatment: Can It Help Treat ADHD?

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Mohammadi M-R, Zarafshan H, Khaleghi A, et al.Prevalence of ADHD and its comorbidities in a population-based sample.J Atten Disord. 2021;25(8):1058-1067.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(5th ed.). 2013.

Greenberg, L. M., & Waldman, I. D. (1993).Developmental normative data on the test of variables of attention (T.O.V.A.). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 34(6), 1019-1030

Ben-Sheetrit J, Zurawel M, Weizman A, Manor I.Symptoms versus impairment in adults with ADHD: intercorrelations of the BRIEF-A, CAARS, and TOVA.J Atten Disord. 2019;23(13):1557-1566.

Lynch, R. (2017). The Psychometric Properties of the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale—IV (BAARS-IV) in a College Sample. Retrieved from http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_FALL2017_Lynch_fsu_0071E_14070

Groß V, Lücke C, Graf E, et al.Effectiveness of psychotherapy in adult adhd: what do patients think? Results of the compas study.J Atten Disord. 2019;23(9):1047-1058.

Janssen, L., Kan, C., Carpentier, P., Sizoo, B., Hepark, S., Schellekens, M., . . . Speckens, A. (2019). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. treatment as usual in adults with ADHD: A multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial.Psychological Medicine,49(1), 55-65. doi:10.1017/S0033291718000429

Shaw, D.S., Wilson, M.N. Taking a Motivational Interviewing Approach to Prevention Science: Progress and Extensions.Prev Sci22, 826–830 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01269-w

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