By Dr Jaspreet Saini. Published . Updated .
Last reviewed 2026-10-08
ADHD treatment is often described as a choice between taking medication and not taking it. In practice, good treatment for adults usually has several parts, and the balance between them changes over time.
Medication
ADHD medication is the part people ask about most. The main group, psychostimulants, are Schedule 8 medicines in NSW, which means prescribing is closely regulated. There are also non-stimulant options that suit some people better. Finding the right medicine and dose usually takes a few months of careful adjustment, with blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, appetite and mood checked along the way.
Practical strategies
Medication can make it easier to focus, but it does not organise a week on its own. Routines, reminders, visible calendars, breaking tasks into smaller steps and arranging work around energy levels are often what turn better focus into a better day. These strategies tend to matter more, not less, once treatment is under way.
Psychological support
Some adults benefit from working with a psychologist or ADHD coach, particularly on planning, emotional regulation and the habits built up over years of undiagnosed ADHD. A GP can help decide whether this is likely to help and arrange a referral where it is.
Other conditions
Anxiety, low mood, sleep problems and substance use are common alongside ADHD. Treating ADHD well includes paying attention to these, because they affect how well treatment works and which medicines are suitable.
Who coordinates it
Because ADHD is usually lifelong, someone has to hold the pieces together over years. In NSW, an endorsed GP can now assess, diagnose and start treatment, and can coordinate care with psychologists and psychiatrists when that is needed. Common questions are answered on the ADHD FAQs page.
Treatment works best when it is planned as a whole, not as a script on its own.
Sources
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Speak with your own doctor about your situation.