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Though many people who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) outgrow it, others don’t. About 6% of Americans have ADHD. That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because of lower awareness of ADHD in past decades, some people don’t get a diagnosis until they’re adults. Occupational therapy can help with some of the common challenges adults with ADHD face.

Occupational therapists can help people with ADHD function at work or school and reduce conflicts in relationships. They can also help with the anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges that often go along with ADHD.

What Is Living With ADHD Like as an Adult?

In adults, ADHD can cause poor focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Adults with ADHD may experience the following challenges:

• Difficulty paying attention at work or school.
• Forgetfulness.
• Impatience or restlessness.
• Interrupting others.
• Making decisions for short-term gain with little regard for the future.
• Poor organizational skills.
• Poor time management and planning skills.
• Trouble completing tasks, especially multistep ones.

If challenges like these impact how you perform at work or school, affect your relationships, or cause mental health problems, you should seek treatment. This might include medication, psychotherapy, occupational therapy, or a combination of these.

How to tell when ADHD is causing mental health challenges

People with ADHD are more likely to have one or more mental health problems. Studies show that, compared to people without ADHD, those with ADHD are more likely to have depression, eating disorders, and anxiety.

Five common signs of anxiety include trouble sleeping, increased heart rate, intense feelings of worry, feeling irritable, and short, shallow breathing.

ADHD can also lead to impulsive binge eating, followed by purging (bulimia). People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with anorexia or limit food intake to keep a low body weight. One possible reason for this is that it gives them a sense of control when their life feels out of control.

Depression is a mood disorder that involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness that persist for long periods of time, affecting one’s daily life.

People who feel depressed lose interest in hobbies they once enjoyed. They also have little energy and may sleep more than normal or have trouble getting enough sleep.

Treatments for anxiety and depression include medication and psychotherapy. Meditation, exercise, and lifestyle changes (like cutting out coffee and alcohol) can also help. Your primary care doctor can prescribe medication and help you find a therapist and support groups

But if there’s a link between your mental health problems and your ADHD, occupational therapy for ADHD can also help.

How Occupational Therapists Can Help With ADHD

Despite the name, occupational therapists don’t only help with your job. They can also assist with many aspects of day-to-day life.

Occupational therapy for ADHD often involves weekly sessions, but you may see a therapist more or less often.

Your therapist will start by talking about your unique challenges. Then, they’ll design solutions and tools to help you resolve these challenges and achieve your goals.

Changing the habits and behaviors you’re used to isn’t easy. That’s why occupational therapists provide ongoing support.

Work and school challenges

Occupational therapists can help with work or school challenges. For instance, they can:

• Break down work or school tasks into steps.
• Help you use tools, like digital or paper-based planners, to stay organized.
• Keep you on task with reminders or alarms so you know when to start or end a task.
• Offer solutions to keep your space tidy. This can help you feel calmer and more focused. It can also help you find the items you need to stay productive more easily.
• Suggest changes to reduce distractions, like noise-canceling headphones or apps that restrict social media.

Mental health and relationship challenges

Occupational therapists can also help with anxiety and depression symptoms, eating disorders, and relationship challenges. For instance, they can:

• Help you plan exercise at regular intervals into your day. This reduces the chance you’ll act in impulsive ways that could harm your relationships.
• Role-play conversations so you can practice responding to a loved one in a calmer and more productive way.
• Help you get enough sleep by changing daytime and evening habits. (Some research has linked poor sleep to anxiety and depression.)
• Introduce sensory breaks, such as sitting in a quiet room, to reduce anxiety.
• Support you with meal planning and healthy eating, such as by helping you set up recurring grocery orders.

How Effective Is Occupational Therapy for ADHD?

Studies of children show that occupational therapy can help improve school performance and overall well-being. But there are few studies of occupational therapy in adults.

A small study of adult women with ADHD looked at the impact of weekly one-hour occupational therapy sessions for seven weeks. The study found those who received the therapy said they performed better at work and felt more satisfied with their work.

Another small study looked at one-hour occupational therapy sessions for 15 weeks. The study found the sessions improved planning, problem-solving, and impulse control. Participants also said the therapy improved their performance at work and their overall quality of life.

Occupational therapy is more likely to help you if you find someone who has experience treating people with ADHD. It also helps if you “click” with your therapist. If you find your therapist doesn’t get your challenges or offers solutions that don’t work for you, try another provider.

It can help to combine occupational therapy with other treatments, such as medication or psychotherapy.

Remember, change doesn’t happen overnight. Noticing the positive effects of occupational therapy can take several weeks.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 26, 2025, and was last reviewed on June 11, 2025.