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Treatments

Effective Treatment Options for Adult ADHD

Research shows that adult ADHD can be managed effectively with a combination of approaches. These include:

  1. Behavioral therapy or ADHD coaching
  2. Stimulant and non-stimulant medications
  3. Lifestyle adjustments, such as:
    • Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
    • Engaging in regular physical activity
    • Practicing mindfulness and meditation

While these treatments may not “cure” ADHD, they play a crucial role in managing symptoms. They help reduce the daily impact of ADHD and improve overall quality of life.

A landmark study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in the late 1990s found that combining medication with behavioral therapy was significantly more effective than using either treatment alone. This combination approach remains the gold standard for many adults living with ADHD.

At ADHD Plus, we offer the following treatments:

ADHD Medication Management

Medication can be a highly effective part of managing adult ADHD. Approximately 70–80% of adults with ADHD experience significant symptom relief with medication alone (Faraone & Buitelaar, 2010). Many describe the effect as life-changing, like the difference between “night and day.”

It’s important to note that ADHD medications don’t cure the condition, but rather reduce core symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This makes daily functioning, task completion, and emotional regulation far more manageable (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NICE, 2018).

To ensure treatment is safe and effective, ADHD medication should be taken consistently and under appropriate supervision. Before initiating medication, we typically carry out:

  1. An ECG (electrocardiogram)
  2. A comprehensive physical examination
  3. Baseline blood tests

Regular monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, and weight is also essential, particularly with stimulant medications, due to their cardiovascular effects (Bolea-Alamañac et al., 2014).

At ADHD Plus, we follow UK national guidelines (NICE, 2018) to ensure your treatment is evidence-based and individually tailored. We help you make informed decisions that support both safety and results.

 

Therapies At ADHD Plus

At ADHD Plus, we offer a specialised coaching programme designed to strengthen executive functioning a core area of difficulty for individuals with ADHD. Our approach combines elements of ADHD-specific Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Strength-Based Positive Psychology Coaching, enabling clients to set and achieve meaningful, measurable, and time-bound goals.

This evidence-informed model draws from clinical research showing that CBT tailored for ADHD can significantly improve attention, organization, emotional regulation, and task completion in adults with ADHD (Safren et al., 2005). Furthermore, strength-based coaching has been found to enhance self-awareness, resilience, and sustained motivation, key components of long-term success (Green & Norrish, 2013).

Key Elements of the ADHD Plus Programme

  1. Psychoeducation on the ADHD Brain
    Clients gain a clear understanding of how ADHD impacts brain function, emotional regulation, and executive skills. Psychoeducation is proven to increase treatment engagement and self-management (Knouse & Safren, 2010).
  2. Reward and Consequence-Based Motivation
    We integrate behavioural techniques that make use of external rewards and self-monitoring to improve motivation — strategies shown to support habit formation and goal follow-through in ADHD populations (Barkley, 2015).
  3. Strength-Based Recovery and Positive Psychology
    Our programme encourages the development of authentic self-esteem and anxiety management through a positive psychology lens. Research supports that strength-based coaching enhances well-being and reduces stress in individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (Kauffman, 2006).
  4. Goal Setting with Structure
    Clients are guided to set process-based, specific, and time-bound goals, a strategy rooted in executive function research and commonly used in CBT for ADHD. This structured approach supports better task initiation and follow-through (Solanto et al., 2008).

Our Philosophy

At ADHD Plus, we believe in empowering individuals to build on their strengths while addressing challenges with practical, research-informed tools. Our therapy and coaching programmes are collaborative, tailored, and grounded in clinical science — helping you take control of your ADHD, not just cope with it.

What to Expect from ADHD Coaching at ADHD Plus

Through our specialised ADHD coaching programme, you will learn and apply practical tools and strategies to improve your focus, time awareness, and daily structure. Working closely with your ADHD Coach in a collaborative, judgment-free environment, you’ll gradually build routines that support your goals — creating more purpose, stability, and self-direction in your life.

Our coaching is designed to help you gain a stronger sense of agency and control over your future. By tailoring sessions to your individual needs and strengths, we help you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered.

Common Benefits Reported by Our Clients

Clients who engage in ADHD coaching with us often report meaningful improvements in areas such as:

  1. Better management of impulsive behaviours
  2. Increased ability to block out distractions
  3. Improved focus and performance at work
  4. More consistent and healthy sleep patterns
  5. Staying organised with paperwork and financial tasks
  6. Sharper and more confident decision-making
  7. Stronger relationships, both personal and professional

Flexible Session Formats

To suit your needs and schedule, sessions are available either in person or securely via Zoom for Healthcare.

Diet and Exercise for Managing ADHD

At ADHD Plus, we recognise that lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise play a powerful role in managing ADHD symptoms. While not a standalone treatment, these factors can significantly improve mood, focus, energy levels, and emotional regulation.

Exercise and ADHD

Regular physical activity has been shown to enhance executive function, improve mood, and reduce hyperactivity and inattention in individuals with ADHD. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, dopamine, and norepinephrine — neurotransmitters that are often dysregulated in ADHD (Gapin et al., 2011), (Hoza et al., 2015).

We recommend aiming for 30–40 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, four to five days per week. A moderate workout typically includes:

  1. Sweating and a noticeable heart rate increase
  2. Muscle fatigue by the end of the session
  3. Faster and deeper breathing

To support consistency and attention during exercise, consider these ADHD-friendly strategies:

  1. Vary your workouts to keep them stimulating and enjoyable
  2. Exercise with a partner for accountability and motivation
  3. Try morning workouts before taking medication (if appropriate for your schedule and plan)

Even short bursts of physical activity have been shown to improve cognitive performance in adults with ADHD (Pontifex et al., 2013).

Nutrition and ADHD

A well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet can help stabilise energy levels, regulate blood sugar, and support neurotransmitter function all of which are vital for ADHD symptom management.

Several dietary approaches have shown potential in managing ADHD symptoms

The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, has been linked to lower ADHD symptom severity (Ríos-Hernández et al., 2017).

Elimination diets and the Few Foods Diet have shown benefits for a subset of children and adolescents, although their applicability in adults requires further study (Pelsser et al., 2011).

Key nutrients to support brain health include

  1. Protein-Rich Foods
    Help regulate blood sugar and support dopamine production: Eggs, fish, poultry, nuts, beans, lentils
  1. Complex Carbohydrates
    Provide steady energy release:
    Brown rice, oats, beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains
  1. Key Vitamins and Minerals
    Studies link ADHD with deficiencies in micronutrients such as magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and B6 (Wang et al., 2022), (Huss et al., 2010).

Here are some top food sources

  1. Magnesium: Almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, spinach
  2. Iron: Beef, liver, tofu, kidney beans
  3. Vitamin D: Fortified foods, fatty fish, egg yolks, beef liver
  4. Zinc: Shellfish, legumes, seeds, meat
  5. Omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, tuna, chia seeds, walnuts, flaxseeds
  6. Vitamin B6: Potatoes, peanuts, eggs, fish

Holistic Care for ADHD

At ADHD Plus, we support a whole-person approach to managing ADHD. By combining medical treatment, behavioural coaching, and evidence-informed lifestyle strategies including diet and exercise,  we help clients build a foundation for long-term success and well-being.

Psychological & Behavioural Support at ADHD Plus

While medication can be an effective part of ADHD treatment, it’s not the only option. At ADHD Plus, we offer a comprehensive range of non-pharmacological interventions to help you build lasting skills, emotional resilience, and greater confidence in daily life.

Research consistently shows that psychological and behavioural therapies—especially when tailored to ADHD—can significantly reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and enhance quality of life (Knouse & Safren, 2010), (Wehmeier et al., 2010).

Our Evidence-Informed Support Options Include:

  1. ADHD-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Coaching
    CBT specifically adapted for ADHD is shown to improve emotional regulation, reduce procrastination, and enhance organizational skills (Safren et al., 2005). Coaching adds a structured, goal-oriented component that supports long-term behavioural change (Kubik, 2010).
  2. Time Management, Planning, and Organisation Skills
    These are core executive functions often impaired in ADHD. Practical training in these areas has been found to significantly improve functioning and reduce daily overwhelm (Solanto et al., 2008).
  3. Mindfulness-Based Therapy
    Mindfulness practices help reduce impulsivity, emotional reactivity, and stress, and are supported by a growing body of evidence in adults with ADHD (Zylowska et al., 2008), (Mitchell et al., 2013).
  4. Support for Relationships, Family Dynamics, and Vocational Concerns
    ADHD often impacts social and occupational functioning. We provide strategies to improve communication, manage conflict, and navigate career challenges, which are vital to long-term well-being (Barkley, 2006).
  5. Addressing Coexisting Issues: Anxiety, Depression, and Low Mood
    Many individuals with ADHD experience comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. Integrative treatment approaches have been shown to improve both ADHD and mood-related symptoms (Katzman et al., 2017).

More Than Just Coping — Tools to Thrive

Our approach is practical, collaborative, and strengths-based. Whether you’re navigating relationships, work stress, or daily overwhelm, we help you move beyond coping — and into a space where you can grow, function, and thrive with ADHD.

Parent Support at ADHD Plus

Parenting a child with ADHD is different — and it often requires approaches that go beyond traditional parenting techniques. Standard rules, routines, and discipline strategies can feel ineffective or even counterproductive. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed or frustrated, but with the right tools and understanding, family life can become more balanced and less stressful.

At ADHD Plus, we offer a dedicated Parent Support Programme designed to empower you with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to support your child effectively and compassionately.

Disclaimer – ADHD Plus

The content provided by ADHD Plus, including but not limited to information on ADHD medications, therapies, lifestyle strategies, coaching, and psychological interventions, is intended for general informational and educational purposes only.

This information is not medical advice, a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Nothing on this website or in our materials should be interpreted as an instruction to begin, alter, or stop any medical or psychological treatment, including the use of any prescription medications or therapeutic approaches.

You must not rely on the information provided by ADHD Plus as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other licensed healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult your own medical provider before initiating any course of treatment, therapy, or medication.

By accessing or using any of our content, you agree that ADHD Plus, its directors, staff, associates, and contributors shall not be held liable for any harm, loss, injury, side effect, or untoward outcome of any kind arising directly or indirectly from your use of or reliance on the information provided.