Resource CenterHow Is ADHD Diagnosed and Treated?

How Is ADHD Diagnosed and Treated?

A student sits at their desk in their dorm, reading a book marked with colorful note tabs and taking notes.

By Lauren Krouse

Getting a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often brings clarity and relief: Finally, you have an explanation for the challenges you’ve faced staying focused and organizing your life. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects executive functioning, which is the brain’s ability to plan, organize, and complete tasks. It can make meeting deadlines, keeping appointments, and staying on track with tasks difficult. But with proper treatment, that nagging feeling that you’re lost in your to-do list can fade.

Most people respond positively to ADHD treatment, especially when medication is combined with therapy. With the right support, you can develop effective strategies to manage symptoms, strengthen relationships, and unlock your full potential.

How to Get Help for ADHD

Unlike occasionally forgetting something or being a bit disorganized, ADHD can have a far-reaching impact on your daily life and make it hard to stay on top of work or school, manage responsibilities at home, and thrive in relationships.

If you suspect you may have ADHD, start by visiting a primary-care physician, therapist, or psychiatrist to review your symptoms. They may refer you to a neuropsychologist for comprehensive testing to rule out other potential factors, such as learning differences, anxiety disorders, or trauma responses. At your appointment, you’ll likely talk about the symptoms you’ve had and any problems they’ve caused with school, work, or relationships.

Learn more about how ADHD is diagnosed.

How Is ADHD Treated?

ADHD usually responds best to a treatment approach that combines medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, coordinated by a team of health-care professionals who specialize in the disorder. Although medication can effectively reduce symptoms, therapy and coaching equip you with practical skills to manage your symptoms.

Medication

Stimulant medications are the primary treatment for ADHD, and methylphenidate and amphetamines are the most common options. The medications work by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that affect attention and behavior.

There are two main types of stimulant medications:

Immediate-release stimulants provide quick relief for up to four hours, but they may cause dips in mood and energy when they wear off.
Extended-release stimulants work for six to 16 hours with one dose, providing steady symptom management throughout the day. You may also experience dips in mood and energy after they wear off.

Common side effects of stimulant medications include a lower appetite and trouble sleeping. Often, it can be helpful to use extended-release stimulants because they last longer. Working closely with your prescribing doctor to monitor side effects can help you find the right dose. Stimulant medications come with risk of misuse, but there is little risk of addiction if taken as prescribed.

If you cannot take stimulants due to side effects or other health conditions, nonstimulant alternatives such as atomoxetine or bupropion can be effective alternatives.

Therapy and Life Skills Training

Therapy and life skills training provide essential coping strategies for life with ADHD. Your health-care team may recommend one or more of the following:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you identify and reshape negative thought patterns while developing practical coping skills to better manage daily challenges and boost self-confidence, which can be impacted by ADHD.
Behavioral therapy focuses on changing unhealthy behaviors, learning new skills, and building positive habits.
Occupational therapy provides hands-on support for daily tasks, helping you develop strategies for everything from organizing your workspace to managing complex projects.
Mindfulness-based therapy teaches techniques for staying present and focused, helping reduce impulsivity and boosting attention through meditation and breathing exercises.
Parent skills training teaches parents and caregivers specific techniques to help teens with ADHD, including creating structured environments and using positive reinforcement.
Social skills training helps you develop better relationships by practicing how to be more attuned to social cues and stay focused during conversations.
Executive function training offers one-on-one support for executive function challenges such as organization and study skills. You will strengthen executive function with skills such as maintaining a planner and setting achievable goals.

Lifestyle Strategies

Learning how to best manage ADHD takes trial and error. Take it slow and adopt new strategies one by one to see what works best for you. A few places to start:

Connect with your school’s learning center to access accommodations and academic support. You may be able to request extra time on tests or projects, for example, or be given extra breaks or time to move around.
Experiment with organizational tools such as whiteboard calendars, paper planners, or a phone calendar.
Make daily to-do lists, breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. If you have a six-page essay due, for instance, you might break it down into stages: do research, create an outline, write two pages per day, edit, proofread.
Use blocks on your schedule and timers to be cognizant of time and stay on task.
Designate specific spaces for important items such as your wallet and keys.
Declutter your study or workspace and minimize distractions with noise-canceling headphones.
Prioritize regular exercise and self-care to support emotional regulation and focus.

How to Support Someone With ADHD

ADHD can take a toll on relationships, but understanding and support can strengthen your connection. Here’s how you can help:

Learn more about ADHD to understand that symptoms are not personal choices.
Encourage your loved one to seek professional help without judgment and consider support for yourself, such as parent skills training or individual therapy.
Respond to frustrations with ADHD symptoms with a focus on patience and problem-solving as a team rather than criticism and blame.
Work together to develop helpful routines and gently remind them about priorities on your shared schedule.
Collaborate to create shared organizational systems that work for both of you.
Be clear and specific in communication rather than making assumptions.
Celebrate progress and focus on strengths to help build self-esteem and stay positive.

Living Well With ADHD

Living with ADHD presents unique challenges, but it also brings unique strengths. Many people with ADHD are incredibly creative, enthusiastic, and capable of thinking outside the box. Many successful students and professionals have ADHD and have learned to harness positive qualities like hyperfocus while developing strategies to manage difficulties. With proper treatment and support, you or your loved one can begin to feel better, find order in your life, and thrive.