{"id":6171,"date":"2019-10-04T08:00:58","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T12:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=6171"},"modified":"2025-09-18T17:27:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T21:27:10","slug":"adult-adhd-medication-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/adult-adhd-medication-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Considering an ADHD medication? Your guide to adult ADHD treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cEveryone is a little ADD.\u201d Or so the saying goes. If you\u2019ve ever struggled to stay on task at work or complete projects on time, you may have wondered if that\u2019s true. If you weren\u2019t diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) as a child, it can be hard to know when distractibility crosses over from annoying to a symptom of a health problem. A diagnosis of ADHD\u2014and treatment with adult ADHD medication\u2014is crucial to keep functioning when the demands of work or your personal life start to pile up.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does ADHD look like in adults?<\/b><\/h2>\n

ADHD is not just a childhood and adolescent disorder. According to a study published in the <\/span>American Journal of Psychiatry<\/span><\/i><\/a>, the worldwide prevalence of adults with ADHD is around 5%. To put that into perspective, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the worldwide prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is between 1% to 2%.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what exactly is ADHD? The <\/span>National Institute of Mental Healt<\/span>h<\/span><\/a> describes it as a brain disorder that centers around inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects the brain\u2019s executive function, which results in trouble with disorganization, memory, low self-esteem, ability to concentrate, time management, and attention to detail. Hyperactivity is more commonly seen in children, but adults who fidget or feel internally restless may also have the hyperactive component.<\/span><\/p>\n

As with many psychiatric disorders, the symptoms of ADHD exist along a spectrum; in the current world of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, everyone has some trouble concentrating. Duane Gordon, president of the <\/span>Attention Deficit Disorder Association<\/span><\/a> (ADDA), the largest adult ADHD support network in the country, explained the distinction. \u201cIs it negatively affecting the quality of your life in a way you can\u2019t compensate for?\u201d he says. So, for example, if you can\u2019t finish a book because you\u2019re too busy playing video games, Gordon explains that\u2019s really not a big deal. If you need\u2014or want\u2014to read that book for a project at work and no amount of focus or special techniques helps you, that may be a sign of something bigger than the normal distractions. Gordon describes ADHD as \u201ca chronic condition that you have no control over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED<\/b>: 6 ADHD myths and misconceptions<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Diagnosing adult ADHD<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you suspect you may have ADHD, Gordon highly recommends you pursue a formal diagnosis from a psychologist or other mental health professional. One of the major reasons for this is that many mood disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and sleep apnea) mimic ADHD symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to get a proper diagnosis from a clinician outside of your family doctor, because around 80% of people with ADHD have a secondary disorder,\u201d says Russell Barkley, clinical professor of psychiatry at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children and the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the treatment for adults with ADHD?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dr. Russell is also the author of <\/span>Taking Charge of Adult ADHD<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span>When an Adult You Love Has ADHD<\/span><\/i>. He says there are five steps in the ADHD treatment protocol he recommends to adults who are trying to determine if they actually have the disorder:<\/span><\/p>\n