Can ADHD Be Cured? Understanding Treatment And Long-Term Management
If you’re familiar with ADHD, a disorder that can make it hard to focus, manage your urges, and stay organized, you might have questions about what it can mean long-term. Can it be cured, or only managed? What does long-term treatment involve? How common is remission? Let’s explore these questions together, but first, it may help to get a better understanding of what ADHD is.
What is ADHD?
ADHD (short for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that can make it hard for people to maintain their focus and control their impulses. While it is often diagnosed in childhood, some people aren’t diagnosed until later in life. Although its exact causes aren’t clear, genetics are thought to be a factor. Other possible causes may include low birth weight, premature birth, and substance use during pregnancy, although these are still being researched.
ADHD can cause two types of symptoms: inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. Inattentiveness can look like:
- Struggling to follow directions
- Losing track of time
- Getting lost in thought, even when others are talking to you
- Struggling to focus on tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Having trouble finishing projects
Hyperactive and impulsive behavior may include:
- Fidgeting
- Blurting things out without thinking
- Engaging in needlessly risky behavior
- Struggling to be patient
- Experiencing mood swings or angry outbursts
Symptoms like these can have far-reaching effects. Children with ADHD may struggle with schoolwork or behavioral issues, while adults may have trouble performing at work or maintaining healthy relationships. Seeking professional treatment can be important for avoiding these outcomes.
Can ADHD be cured?
If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, it can be natural to wonder if the condition is curable. It’s generally accepted that ADHD cannot be “cured” in the traditional sense. In some cases, people with ADHD have been found to go into periods of remission over the course of their lives. That said, this doesn’t mean they no longer have ADHD, and permanent remission is rare.
But while there is currently no medical procedure that can make ADHD go away, this doesn’t mean it can’t be managed. With proper treatment and support, people with ADHD are often able to reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Treating ADHD
The right ADHD treatment, or combination of treatments, can significantly improve a person’s symptoms and make it easier to function, but treatment may not be the same for everyone. By getting familiar with the different options available and discussing them with your doctor, you may be able to find the best approach for your needs.
Treating ADHD often involves a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and therapy. Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.
Medication: A variety of medications are available that may help reduce symptoms of ADHD. The right one for you may depend on your age, other medications, lifestyle, and preferences.
ADHD medications fall into three main categories: stimulant, non-stimulant, and off-label. Stimulants are some of the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. Examples include Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin. Stimulant medications work by increasing levels of dopamine, one of several brain chemicals that may play a role in motivation and emotion. Because they can be addictive, doctors typically won’t prescribe them if you don’t have an official ADHD diagnosis. For this reason, it can also be very important to always follow dosage guidelines.
Non-stimulant medications are another option for people with ADHD. They may be useful if you want to avoid taking a stimulant or if the side effects of stimulants are bothersome. Some examples of non-stimulant medications include Strattera and Intuniv. Some, like Intuniv, may be used either by themselves or as an add-on to stimulants.
Off-label medications are other medications that may help reduce ADHD symptoms, even if they aren’t typically used to treat ADHD. A doctor may prescribe them as alternatives or add-ons to other medications. Some examples of off-label ADHD medications include Wellbutrin and Effexor.
Lifestyle changes: In addition to medication, your doctor may also suggest that you make some adjustments to your daily life to make it easier to manage symptoms. These often revolve around self-care and improving organizational skills. For example, you might be able to improve your time management by setting alarms, using planners, and scheduling a predictable daily routine. Improving your sleep hygiene may also help with focus and energy levels, while exercise and healthy eating can benefit overall brain health. Mindfulness and meditation can also be useful for building concentration and learning to manage emotions.
Therapy: Therapy is often recommended to help people living with ADHD improve their relationships and well-being. A mental health professional may be able to make personalized suggestions based on which symptoms you experience and whether you have any other mental health concerns, like depression or an anxiety disorder.
Certain types of therapy may be especially helpful for people with ADHD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. The idea behind CBT (sometimes called “cognitive behavior therapy”) is to identify and change negative thought patterns and beliefs that might be contributing to ADHD-related challenges.
Because ADHD can sometimes cause social challenges, like interrupting others or speaking without thinking, social skills training (SST) may be another useful form of therapy. The goal of SST is to help people improve their communication skills by learning to read social cues and express their emotions in a healthy way. Over time, this may help boost confidence and self-esteem.
For those whose personal lives are being affected by ADHD, relationship and family therapy may also help romantic partners and family members understand the condition and better support one another. It can also provide a safe space for loved ones to discuss their own mental health as it relates to ADHD.
These are just a few forms of therapy that may be useful. But if you’re living with ADHD, a single therapy session may not always be enough to get the support you’re looking for. With online therapy, you can contact your therapist at any time using in-app messaging, and they will respond as soon as they can. This may be helpful if you find yourself struggling with your symptoms between scheduled sessions.
Research has found that online therapy may help reduce the symptoms of ADHD. In a 2022 review, researchers looked at six studies of internet-based ADHD interventions. The internet-based treatments were found to improve both social function and attention.
Takeaway
ADHD is a disorder that can make it hard to concentrate, sit still, and control your impulses. Over time, it can also have long-term effects on your responsibilities and relationships. While ADHD is often considered a lifelong condition, managing it may be possible through a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy.
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