How Is ADHD Treated?

Research has shown that the two most effective treatments for ADHD are stimulant medication and behavioral interventions in school, at home, and in other contexts.

An extensive body of research evidence indicates that stimulant medications are the most effective pharmaceutical intervention for ADHD. Short-term studies have consistently indicated high improvement rates, with 70 to 80% of children experiencing some benefit. Evidence is accumulating that people with ADHD continue to benefit from stimulants into adolescence and adulthood. Other medications--for example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)--have been demonstrated to be of some benefit as a second-line treatment, and may be used as an alternative for people with certain comorbid (co-occurring) conditions (for example, depression, anxiety, tics), who do not respond well to stimulants, or who experience significant side effects of stimulants.

Although a variety of psychosocial treatment approaches have been used in the treatment of ADHD, behavioral interventions have the strongest evidence for effectiveness in managing the symptoms of ADHD. Parent training and classroom-based contingency management interventions have the most support. Successful treatment requires considerable consistency between the home and school environments and cooperation between parents or other caregivers and school personnel

Other psychosocial interventions such as social skills training and psychoeducation to improve parent, teacher, and child understanding of symptoms and their impact on functioning have been widely used in the treatment of ADHD and have been demonstrated to be of some benefit in combination with medication and/or behavioral strategies.

Alternative treatments such as restricted diets, neurobiofeedback, and cognitive interventions have also been used in children with ADHD. However, there is no consistent evidence for their effectiveness.