How Is ADHD Treated in Adults?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition with an estimated global prevalence of about 4%.1 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.

Most of us know someone (or are someone) who has ADHD, a disorder that impacts executive function, the ability to focus, remember things, read social cues, recognize time patterns—the list goes on. More broadly, ADHD is generally marked by symptoms that are grouped as “inattentive” and “hyperactive/impulsive.”

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.

ADHD Types

The DSM-5 breaks ADHD down into three different types:2

1. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
2. Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation
3. Combined Presentation

Predominantly Inattentive-type ADHD

Predominantly Inattentive-type ADHD requires that an individual have six or more of the following symptoms:2

• Making careless mistakes or overlooking details in homework, work, or other activities
• Difficulty holding attention to tasks
• Difficulty listening when spoken to directly
• Difficulty following through on instructions or failing to finish tasks
• Disorganization
• Avoiding or disliking tasks that require “sustained mental effort”
• Losing things
• High distractibility by external stimuli or thoughts
• Forgetfulness in activities

Hyperactive/Impulsive-type ADHD

Hyperactive/Impulsive-type ADHD requires that an individual have six or more of the following symptoms:2

• Fidgeting or squirming
• Leaving their seat at inappropriate times
• Running or climbing at inappropriate times
• Making noise when working or playing
• Moving as if they are “on the go” or “driven by a motor”
• Talking excessively
• Blurting out answers before someone finishes their question
• Difficulty waiting their turn
• Interrupting in conversations

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 training can diagnose ADHD. Most physicians have referral information for where their patients can get an ADHD evaluation.

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

• The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA):3 The TOVA is a computerized, standardized test that measures an individual’s ability to pay attention through a visual and auditory task. Scores compare the client’s performance to that of same-age, same-gender individuals with ADHD and without ADHD.
• The Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS):4 The CAARS is a norm-referenced rating scale that determines whether someone has difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, as well as whether those symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Clients complete a self-report form, and someone close to the client completes an observer form.
• The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult Version (BRIEF-A):4 The BRIEF-A is a norm-referenced rating scale to gather information about someone’s ability to regulate impulses, complete tasks, organize, focus, and other symptoms of ADHD.
• The Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale (BAARS):5 The BAARS links clients’ symptoms to the DSM diagnostic criteria through self-report and observer data.

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

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 include medication, therapy, skill building, and appropriate accommodations.

Medication

Medication options for ADHD treatment in adults include stimulant (such as Adderall and Ritalin) and non-stimulant (such as Strattera and Guanfacine) 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 ongoing therapy services6 to process life stressors and develop behavioral skills for symptom management. Cognitive-behavioral therapy,7 mindfulness-based therapy,8 and brief motivational interviewing9 offer evidence-based approaches for ADHD 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, their partner can benefit from support to 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 one comorbid diagnosis.2 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, or conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, trauma-related disorder, substance use disorder, or personality disorder.

In addition, a high number of individuals with ADHD also meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder or 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.