Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is ADHD?SymptomsIs There a Cure?Can ADHD Go Away On Its Own?ADHD TreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is ADHD?

Symptoms

Is There a Cure?

Can ADHD Go Away On Its Own?

ADHD Treatment

Coping

Close

ADHD, orattention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological condition that manifests as problems with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. About 4% of adults and 9% of children in the United States live with ADHD,and many deal with symptoms throughout their lives.

While there is no cure for ADHD,treatmentscan help manage symptoms and improve functioning. These include medication, behavioral therapy, and educational interventions. With treatment, most people with ADHD are able to live relatively symptom-free and successful lives.

This article will describe the current understanding of ADHD and its symptoms, as well as available treatments. It will also explore the idea of a cure for ADHD and whether or not such a thing is possible. Finally, it will discuss how to cope with ADHD on your own.

People with ADHD often have trouble paying attention or focusing on tasks. They may be easily distracted, unable to sit still for long periods of time, and impulsive. These symptoms can interfere with school, work, and personal relationships.

There are three types of ADHD:

Symptoms of ADHD

Thesymptoms of ADHDvary from person to person. They may also change over time. Below are the most common symptoms for each ADHD type.

Inattentive type

Hyperactive-Impulsive type

Combined type

Is There a Cure for ADHD?

There is no cure for ADHD because it is aneurological differencerather than a disease. In fact, some people with ADHD see it as a positive rather than a negative. In the neurodivergent community, ADHD is sometimes known as a “superpower.”

How ADHD Can Be a ‘Superpower’This is because people with ADHD often have strengths in areas such as creativity, spontaneity, and out-of-the-box thinking.

How ADHD Can Be a ‘Superpower’

This is because people with ADHD often have strengths in areas such as creativity, spontaneity, and out-of-the-box thinking.

Brandon Li, co-founder, and CEO ofPowernotes, “One of the main reasons why many ADHD people don’t like to refer to the disorder as an illness is that it does not have a cure, and does not necessarily need one. It is a neurological condition that can bring about many benefits and amazing traits to the person, and that in other societal circumstances, would not need treatment.”

That said, there are treatments such asmedicationthat can help manage the negative symptoms of ADHD and improve functioning. In recent years, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the condition and how to best treat it.

Below are some of the recent advances:

As you can see, there have been significant advances in the treatment of ADHD in recent years. With continued research, it is hoped that even more effective treatments will be developed in the future.

There is no cure for ADHD, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms.The most effective treatment is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.

Medication

Medicationcan help reduce hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattention. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. These include drugs such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall). Non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine (Strattera), can also be effective.

Behavior Therapy

Behavioral therapyinvolves teaching children with ADHD how to improve their behavior and pay attention. It can involve setting rules, providing structure, and helping them learn organizational skills. Family therapy can also be helpful in managing the disorder.

Educational Interventions

Educational interventions, such as accommodations and modifications, can also help children with ADHD succeed in school. These may include things like extra time for tests or assignments, being allowed to take breaks, and having a quiet place to work.

How to Cope With ADHD

There is no cure for ADHD, but there are ways to cope with the symptoms. These include:

How to Find a Therapist

A Word From Verywell

Living with ADHD can be difficult, but it is possible to manage symptoms and lead a happy and productive life. With the right treatment and support, people with ADHD can reach their full potential.

7 SourcesVerywell 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Thapar A, Cooper M, Jefferies R, Stergiakouli E.What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?.Arch Dis Child. 2012;97(3):260-265. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2011-300482American Family Physician.AAP Releases Guideline on Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of ADHD.Danielson ML, Visser SN, Chronis-Tuscano A, DuPaul GJ.A National Description of Treatment among United States Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Pediatr. 2018;192:240-246.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.08.040Additude Mag.FDA Approves Once-Daily ADHD Treatment Mydayis for Patients 13 Years and Older.Today.FDA approves 1st new ADHD drug for kids in over a decade.Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3

7 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Thapar A, Cooper M, Jefferies R, Stergiakouli E.What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?.Arch Dis Child. 2012;97(3):260-265. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2011-300482American Family Physician.AAP Releases Guideline on Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of ADHD.Danielson ML, Visser SN, Chronis-Tuscano A, DuPaul GJ.A National Description of Treatment among United States Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Pediatr. 2018;192:240-246.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.08.040Additude Mag.FDA Approves Once-Daily ADHD Treatment Mydayis for Patients 13 Years and Older.Today.FDA approves 1st new ADHD drug for kids in over a decade.Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3

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.

National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Thapar A, Cooper M, Jefferies R, Stergiakouli E.What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?.Arch Dis Child. 2012;97(3):260-265. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2011-300482American Family Physician.AAP Releases Guideline on Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of ADHD.Danielson ML, Visser SN, Chronis-Tuscano A, DuPaul GJ.A National Description of Treatment among United States Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Pediatr. 2018;192:240-246.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.08.040Additude Mag.FDA Approves Once-Daily ADHD Treatment Mydayis for Patients 13 Years and Older.Today.FDA approves 1st new ADHD drug for kids in over a decade.Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3

National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Thapar A, Cooper M, Jefferies R, Stergiakouli E.What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?.Arch Dis Child. 2012;97(3):260-265. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2011-300482

American Family Physician.AAP Releases Guideline on Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of ADHD.

Danielson ML, Visser SN, Chronis-Tuscano A, DuPaul GJ.A National Description of Treatment among United States Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.J Pediatr. 2018;192:240-246.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.08.040

Additude Mag.FDA Approves Once-Daily ADHD Treatment Mydayis for Patients 13 Years and Older.

Today.FDA approves 1st new ADHD drug for kids in over a decade.

Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3

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