7/19/24, 9:04 PM Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Diagnosis
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults can be hard to spot. However,
core symptoms start early in life — before age 12 — and continue into
adulthood, creating major problems.
No single test can confirm the diagnosis. Making the diagnosis will likely
include:
Physical exam, to help rule out other possible causes for your
symptoms
Information gathering, such as asking you questions about any
current medical issues, personal and family medical history, and the
history of your symptoms
ADHD rating scales or psychological tests to help collect and
evaluate information about your symptoms
Other conditions that resemble ADHD
Some medical conditions or treatments may cause signs and symptoms
similar to those of ADHD. Examples include:
Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, conduct
disorders, learning and language deficits, or other psychiatric
disorders
Medical problems that can affect thinking or behavior, such as a
developmental disorder, seizure disorder, thyroid problems, sleep
disorders, brain injury or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Drugs and medications, such as alcohol or other substance misuse
and certain medications
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7/19/24, 9:04 PM Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Treatment
Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication,
education, skills training and psychological counseling. A combination of
these is often the most effective treatment. These treatments can help
manage many symptoms of ADHD, but they don't cure it. It may take
some time to determine what works best for you.
Medications
Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of any medications.
Stimulants, such as products that include methylphenidate or
amphetamine, are typically the most commonly prescribed
medications for ADHD, but other medications may be prescribed.
Stimulants appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals
called neurotransmitters.
Other medications used to treat ADHD include the nonstimulant
atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion.
Atomoxetine and antidepressants work slower than stimulants do, but
these may be good options if you can't take stimulants because of
health problems or if stimulants cause severe side effects.
The right medication and the right dose vary among individuals, so it may
take time to find out what's right for you. Tell your doctor about any side
effects.
Psychological counseling
Counseling for adult ADHD generally includes psychological counseling
(psychotherapy), education about the disorder and learning skills to help
you be successful.
Psychotherapy may help you:
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7/19/24, 9:04 PM Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Improve your time management and organizational skills
Learn how to reduce your impulsive behavior
Develop better problem-solving skills
Cope with past academic, work or social failures
Improve your self-esteem
Learn ways to improve relationships with your family, co-workers and
friends
Develop strategies for controlling your temper
Common types of psychotherapy for ADHD include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy. This structured type of counseling
teaches specific skills to manage your behavior and change negative
thinking patterns into positive ones. It can help you deal with life
challenges, such as school, work or relationship problems, and help
address other mental health conditions, such as depression or
substance misuse.
Marital counseling and family therapy. This type of therapy can help
loved ones cope with the stress of living with someone who
has ADHD and learn what they can do to help. Such counseling can
improve communication and problem-solving skills.
Working on relationships
If you're like many adults with ADHD, you may be unpredictable and forget
appointments, miss deadlines, and make impulsive or irrational decisions.
These behaviors can strain the patience of the most forgiving co-worker,
friend or partner.
Therapy that focuses on these issues and ways to better monitor your
behavior can be very helpful. So can classes to improve communication
and develop conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. Couples
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7/19/24, 9:04 PM Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
therapy and classes in which family members learn more
about ADHD may significantly improve your relationships.
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