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Exercise and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Insufficient evidence – there either hasn’t been any research on this treatment option or there is a small amount of evidence with unclear conclusions.

Getting enough exercise is important for everyone’s overall health. As your ADHD is likely to make you feel hyperactive, finding time to exercise during the day might be helpful, particularly after you’ve been sitting down for a long time.  

There has been a small amount of research looking at whether exercise might be an effective treatment for ADHD. While this research has found that by itself exercise doesn’t improve ADHD symptoms and so isn’t recommended instead of other treatments, it can be helpful for general health.  

Exercise is one of several self-care strategies which young people told us help them manage their mental health and wellbeing. Read how other young people find physical exercise helpful here.

Treatments outlined on these webpages may not be available in every local area. It’s important that you discuss with your GP or mental health professional the treatment options available to you. You can also search for services near you on our Youth Wellbeing Directory and find out more about referral processes here.

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