What Does ADHD Mean for Me?

The core symptoms of ADHD — hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, or a combination of these — usually begin before age 12 and can persist throughout life, though some people are not diagnosed until adulthood. The symptoms often cause significant, ongoing challenges at home, work, and school. But treatment with the right interventions can really help.

Proper treatment can help to improve relationships, self-esteem, stay organized, complete important tasks and deadlines, better manage emotions and stressors, and improve time management skills, among other benefits.

Stimulant drugs

The most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD, stimulants are thought to help balance and boost certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). These drugs can improve symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention.

Nonstimulant drugs

Although they’re not as powerful as stimulants, nonstimulant drugs can help improve ADHD symptoms for people who can’t take stimulants for any reason, such as side effects.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed for ADHD and certain comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Individual psychotherapy

People with ADHD can work one-on-one with a mental health professional to talk about self-esteem, unhelpful behavior patterns, and to learn new, effective ways to manage their symptoms.

Couple's or family therapy

This type of therapy can help people with ADHD and their loved ones improve their communication and problem-solving skills and learn helpful strategies for coping with day-to-day stressors together.

Parenting skills training

This form of therapy can help parents learn constructive ways to understand their child’s behavior, guide them toward appropriate behaviors, and limit inappropriate ones.

Social skills training

This resource can help kids learn and practice appropriate behaviors in social settings.

Support groups

Support groups can allow you to meet others with ADHD, either in person or online, and share challenges, successes, and strategies for managing symptoms.

For parents of children with ADHD:

Consider requesting accommodations at school, such as frequent checks for understanding, with an IEP or 504 plan.
Create and stick to a consistent daily routine.
Make sure they get regular physical activity every day.
Ensure they consistently get enough sleep each night (9 to 12 hours a night for kids ages 6 to 12, and 8 to 10 hours for teens, per expert recommendations).
Limit their daily screen time.
Give specific and clear instructions and set limits to help manage behaviors.
Set up a consistent system to reward appropriate behaviors.
Choose a designated homework area.
Use a timer for homework, and if your child doesn’t complete the assignment, take a quick break and reset the timer to finish.
Reward completion and praise effort rather than punishing your child for incomplete work.

For adults with ADHD:

Consider therapy and/or education about ADHD to undo any harmful stereotypes you’ve been exposed to (ADHD is a brain disorder and not a character flaw).
Follow a consistent, daily routine for things like bedtime and wake times, meals, and exercise.
Have a designated place to keep important items such as your wallet or keys.
Spend some time setting up systems to organize important paper documents and electronic information, and use these systems regularly to keep track of things.
Keep an electronic calendar or planner to track tasks and deadlines.
Carry a notebook or device with you to jot down things you need to remember.
Use sticky notes - or set electronic reminders - to make sure you get the reminders you need not to forget appointments, items, important events, or things to do.
Ask your loved ones for help when you need it.

What to Ask Your Doctor

An ADHD diagnosis can be a lot to process. You’ll probably have questions for your or your child’s healthcare provider. Some questions you may want to ask include:

What type of ADHD do I or my child have?
What can I expect if I have ADHD?
Do I or my child have any comorbidities with ADHD?
How do I tell my child about their ADHD and what it means for them?
How do I care for myself or my child with ADHD?
What are some strategies for managing my or my child’s ADHD symptoms at home?
What should I tell my child’s teachers?
What should I tell my employer?
What are the potential side effects of my or my child’s prescription medications?

When Do You Need Medical Attention?

If you feel your or your child’s symptoms aren’t improving or are getting worse despite treatment, reach out to your provider and share your concerns.

If you or your child start a new medication for ADHD, your prescriber will need to monitor you for side effects until you find the right medication and dose. They’ll also monitor you over time to make sure the medication is still working for you or your child.

Some potential side effects of ADHD medications may include:

Unintentional weight loss
Decreased appetite
Trouble sleeping
New or increased depression or anxiety
Tics
Nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach
Minor growth delay for kids or teens, which won’t affect their final height
Changes in heart rate or blood pressure
Rebound effect (a brief period of increased activity, fatigue, or a bad mood when the medication wears off)
Anxiety

Usually, side effects that happen when you or your child start taking the medication subside within a couple weeks. If the side effects don’t go away or become too bothersome, let your prescriber know. They may change your medication dosage, schedule, or switch you to a different drug to see what works best.

For certain controlled medications like stimulants, laws require that your prescriber see you regularly in order to keep prescribing you those medications.

Finding Support

Your doctor can talk to you about ADHD symptoms and treatment options. In addition, it may help to connect with these organizations, which offer helpful information and resources for people with ADHD and related conditions. Here’s a little bit about each one.

Children and Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

This nonprofit aims to empower people with ADHD by offering evidence-based educational resources, supporting people with ADHD and their families, and advocacy for equity and inclusion for people with ADHD. If you’d like to get involved, CHADD has local affiliates. It also offers a resource directory if you need help finding treatment.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)

Created and run by adults with ADHD for adults with ADHD, ADDA is a worldwide community that aims to empower and support adults with ADHD. ADDA offers virtual peer support groups and a directory of professionals who treat ADHD, among other resources.

Child Mind Institute

This nonprofit is dedicated to helping children with conditions like ADHD and their families access the evidence-based treatments they need. They offer care in person at their New York City and San Francisco locations, as well as virtual care for California, New York, and New Jersey residents.

Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)

LDA aims to create opportunities for all people with learning disabilities like ADHD to succeed and reach their goals. It offers resources for students, adults, parents, educators, and professionals. LDA also engages in advocacy efforts for public policies that benefit people with ADHD.

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

APA is the nation’s premier psychiatric organization geared toward the advancement of mental health as a part of overall health and well-being. It offers educational resources on ADHD, as well as a directory of psychiatrists by area.

American Psychological Association (APA)

APA is the country’s leading professional and scientific organization for psychology. It provides educational information about ADHD and a psychologist locator tool.

GoodRx

GoodRx is a healthcare company that offers affordable telehealth services, free tracking of prescription drug prices across the country, and free coupons to help people save money on their prescription medications. GoodRx also offers a paid membership if you wish to join.

Your ADHD Care Team

Your primary care provider or your child’s pediatrician may be the first professional you talk to about ADHD. Other professionals you may want to add to an ADHD treatment team after diagnosis may include:

Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health. Psychiatrists often prescribe and manage prescription ADHD medications and may sometimes provide talk therapy. They can also diagnose ADHD.
Psychologist, therapist, counselor, or social worker These types of professionals can also diagnose ADHD and provide talk therapy.
Occupational therapist They help people with ADHD develop and practice important life skills, such as time management and planning.
Speech and language therapist They help children with ADHD with speech, language, and social issues, such as learning to take turns or to pay attention while talking to others.
Behavior therapist They can help parents learn skills to guide their children’s behavior, including positive reinforcement, appropriate discipline, and communication strategies.
Educational specialist Also knowns as a learning specialist they can assess and aid children with conditions like ADHD in school, and often work with parents and children to identify strategies to help with the child’s specific learning needs and challenges.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Resources

Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Diagnosis & Treatment. Mayo Clinic. January 25, 2023.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Diagnosis & Treatment. Mayo Clinic. June 25, 2019.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Cleveland Clinic. February 22, 2023.
ADHD Medication. Cleveland Clinic. October 6, 2022.
How Much Sleep Your Kids Need: Recommendations by Age. Cleveland Clinic. September 16, 2022.
Professionals Who Diagnose and Treat ADHD. Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Parent Training in Behavior Management for ADHD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 27, 2023.
Guide to Learning Specialists. Child Mind institute. February 23, 2023.

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Allison Young, MD

Medical Reviewer

Allison Young, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist providing services via telehealth throughout New York and Florida.

In addition to her private practice, Dr. Young serves as an affiliate professor of psychiatry at Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. She previously taught and mentored medical trainees at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She speaks at national conferences and has published scientific articles on a variety of mental health topics, most notably on the use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions in mental health care.

Young graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University with a bachelor of science degree in neurobiology and theology. She obtained her doctor of medicine degree with honors in neuroscience and physiology from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She continued her training at NYU during her psychiatry residency, when she was among a small group selected to be part of the residency researcher program and studied novel ways to assess and treat mental distress, with a focus on anxiety, trauma, and grief.

During her psychiatry training, Young sought additional training in women’s mental health and cognitive behavioral therapy. She has also studied and completed further training in evidence-based lifestyle interventions in mental health care, including stress management, exercise, and nutrition. She is an active member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, through which she helps create resources as well as educate physicians and patients on the intersection of lifestyle medicine and mental health.

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Christina Vogt

Author

Christina Vogt is an award-winning editor covering mental health conditions for Everyday Health. She is experienced in creating health content for both consumers and healthcare professionals, and her work has appeared on Livestrong.com, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Consultant360, and Neurology Learning Network, among others.

Vogt received a bachelor's degree in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and volunteering in her community with the Junior League of Greater Princeton.