Treatment for ADHD

While there is no cure for ADHD, the right treatment can help you to live a full and successful life. Effective treatments available to manage symptoms range from medication and therapy to lifestyle changes. Many people opt for a combination of all three. But experts agree that medication for ADHD is the most effective treatment for the majority of people.

Interesting fact

Around 3 out of 4 children with ADHD have a relative with the condition.

Sometimes, ADHD is diagnosed in a parent at the same time it is diagnosed in the child.

Therapy

Many types of therapy seek to address any social, behavioural, and emotional issues a person with ADHD may experience. Types of therapy used to treat ADHD range from behavioural therapy to cognitive therapy.

Behavioural therapy is designed to replace negative behaviours with positive ones using a rewards system. It can include working in small groups or one-on-one to help you develop the social skills that will help you to interact with others. This type of therapy is often used along with medication.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy. The main goal is to get you to think about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Though it doesn’t address any of ADHD’s core symptoms (hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention), CBT does focus on things such as time management and procrastination.

Complimentary health approaches

In addition to a formal treatment plan, prioritising adequate amounts of restful sleep, consistent exercise, mindfulness practices, and a nutritious diet can help those with ADHD reduce hyperactivity, improve focus, and even boost mood.

Sleep: Many people with ADHD have problems falling asleep. This may be caused by increased sensitivity to noises or distractions in the bedroom or home, stimulant medications, or other issues. Improve sleep quality by taking steps such as:

Avoiding screens before bed
Setting up and following a sleep routine daily
Getting sleep therapy

Regular exercise: Growing evidence suggests that regular physical activity can ease symptoms of ADHD because exercise triggers the release of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Experts suggest that adults with ADHD can benefit from a variety of exercises - yoga to promote calmness and focus, for example, or aerobic workouts to promote neurotransmitters.

Mindfulness: Practising relaxation techniques such as mindful meditation regularly has been shown to reduce symptoms of hyperactivity and inattentiveness in adults with ADHD.

Healthy diet: Some essential nutrients that should feature in your diet include Omega-3 fatty acids that are available in nuts, fish, and other fatty foods. On top of having a healthy balanced diet, you should also look to remove food items that trigger symptoms. These include sugar, caffeine, dairy, gluten, and other additives.

Tips for coping with ADHD

An adult with ADHD may find it challenging to perform some everyday tasks, such as staying organised, keeping appointments, paying bills on time, and maintaining relationships with friends and family. Some helpful techniques to help maintain focus and regain control over daily tasks include:

Keeping keys and other important everyday items in designated spots, to reduce the risk of losing them.
Making to-do lists, using calendars and planners, and trying to avoid procrastination.
Setting specific times to do certain tasks. It can help to keep clocks handy, and to set alarms and reminders. Alarms can also help to plan for breaks during longer activities.
Ahead of appointments, planning to arrive early instead of on time.
Starting each workday by setting aside 5–10 minutes to organise tasks. Try to work in a space with as few distractions as possible.
Exercising, a consistent and sufficient sleep schedule, and a varied, nutritious diet.