How To Treat ADHD: A Treatment Option Guide

Treatment for ADHD may help individuals manage symptoms and improve daily functioning. ADHD can be treated with therapy and medication, although different people may benefit from different approaches. Certain lifestyle choices, like spending time in nature and eating nutritious foods, in addition to traditional treatment, may also help individuals manage ADHD symptoms.

Getting diagnosed with ADHD

Getting an accurate diagnosis is an important step in ADHD treatment. For example, someone diagnosed with inattentive ADHD may be prescribed or recommended a different treatment than someone diagnosed with ADHD combined presentation, which includes both hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention).

Many people with ADHD are often diagnosed with other mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, which may add a level of complexity to someone’s treatment plan. Your or your child’s doctor can create a treatment plan based on your or your child’s unique situation and mental health needs.

Can ADHD be cured or only treated?

Before we dive into some of the treatment options available, we may first need to tackle the terminology often used by those seeking treatment. There can be a vast difference between the terms “ADHD cure” and “ADHD treatment.”

How to treat ADHD: Is there a cure?

While there is no cure for ADHD, treatment can reduce symptom severity and make it easier to manage daily life. Many people who struggle with ADHD can lead successful lives because of their treatment plans.

Stating that there is no cure can be an important distinction for those who have been scouring the web for ways to cure ADHD using medications or natural treatments. People who claim to have "cures" are generally providing misleading information. You may not be able to cure this disorder, but you can find ways to make it more manageable.

How to treat ADHD: Behavior therapy for childhood ADHD

Behavior therapy is an effective treatment for younger children with ADHD that can help improve a child’s self-control and minimize disruptive behavior. Behavior therapy seeks to identify the behaviors that are most challenging at home and at school. Then, a therapist will work with the child’s parents in creating a structured behavioral therapy plan that hopefully provides a significant impact on the child’s behavior.

Behavior therapy is often especially effective when parents are closely involved and trained in the approach. For this reason, experts recommend parent training in behavior therapy for parents with children younger than 12 years old. Parent training teaches parents to give their child the support they need, like adapting their environment to reduce disruptive behaviors and encourage desirable behaviors.

During parent training, parents may learn:

• Strategies that use positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors
• How to create routines so your child can develop a habit of completing tasks
• How to teach their kids how to turn negative behaviors into positive behaviors

Behavioral therapy may help children with ADHD:

• Stay focused on tasks, such as homework
• Improve daily functioning, such as performing daily hygiene tasks like brushing teeth and taking a shower
• Find ways to cope with emotions like frustration

Medications for ADHD or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Medication can be a common part of ADHD treatment, and there are often many medication types and options available that individuals can consider. If you’re interested in adding medication to your treatment regimen, speak with your doctor, psychiatrist, or another licensed prescribing provider.

The BetterHelp platform is not intended for any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through UpLift as an additional care option alongside therapy. Psychiatry services may include medication management when clinically appropriate and based on a licensed psychiatric provider’s evaluation. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member’s insurance plan.

*Medication is prescribed only when clinically appropriate and is not guaranteed. Pricing, availability, insurance coverage, and copays vary by plan, location, and provider availability are not guaranteed.

Alternative treatment methods for symptoms of ADHD

Some people prefer to explore other options before trying medication, or instead of medication, and there can be many alternative approaches to consider.

Supplements for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms

Some supplements may support brain function and may offer effects that overlap with some treatment goals for this disorder. For example, supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids have been studied as possible supportive strategies, especially those who are deficient in these nutrients. Zinc, iron, and magnesium are additional supplements that have been studied in the treatment of ADHD, however, evidence is mixed and they are not substitutes for standard treatment given there is insufficient evidence to confirm their level of benefit.

Consult your healthcare provider to ensure any supplements you wish to take do not interfere with your current medications and other treatments. Check with your doctor to ensure you are taking an appropriate amount of these supplements and that you are not already getting your recommended amount in your daily diet. Taking a non-recommended dose of supplements without medical guidance may result in negative side effects and interactions with other medications.

Lifestyle changes

What we do with our bodies and what we put in our bodies are two choices that can be important to our overall health. A balanced diet with regular meals may help support energy and attention in some people, though diet alone does not treat ADHD.

Having a balanced diet that includes nutrients, like zinc and iron, may improve your brain function as well. If someone has a nutrient deficiency, addressing it may support overall health and functioning. A systematic review examined the role of these nutrients in ADHD and found that a deficiency in either was often linked to increased intensity of symptoms. However, the evidence for supplementing these nutrients is inconclusive. Talk to a nutritionist or doctor to understand what foods, minerals, and vitamins may be helpful for your unique body and lifestyle.

Physical activity has been shown to improve symptoms of restlessness and hyperactivity in some people. Research has shown that physical exercise can improve the attention of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. Furthermore, exercise often enhances learning in general because it tends to release excess energy while stimulating neurotransmitters that can boost your overall focus and concentration. If you can, try to exercise outdoors on occasion, as being around nature may also be a natural way to support the management of ADHD symptoms.

ADHD treatment: Mindfulness and brain exercises

Finding the time to fit exercise and other alternative self-care activities into a busy schedule can be a common challenge for adults with ADHD. Mindfulness exercises, which usually consist of meditation or other activities that bring you into the present moment, generally work to improve your focus and your awareness and can easily be done throughout the day in periods of around five minutes.

Additionally, some cognitive-training or skills-building programs have been explored, but evidence for broad ADHD benefit is mixed. A number of these programs may be available online or through your local library, potentially enabling you to add them to your routine for little to no cost if desired.

Therapy for ADHD

Alternative treatment methods may only be effective if you know how to implement them into your lifestyle for proper results. ADHD therapy can go a long way in treating ADHD, and it can provide you with professional guidance and insight.

Benefits of online therapy

If you have already considered trying therapy but hesitated due to the effort it may take to find a new therapist and schedule an appointment, you might consider online therapy services and resources. Many people are matched within 48 hours of creating an account. With online therapy, you can learn strategies to manage ADHD symptoms and identify areas of your life that may contribute to added stress and emotional challenges, all from the comfort of your personal space or any location with an internet connection.

Effectiveness of online therapy for ADHD treatment

A 2022 systematic review looked into the efficacy of online interventions for ADHD and found that it may be an effective treatment option for improving social function and attention deficit symptoms in children and adults.