Although HD is a progressive illness, the rate of progression varies from person to person, and many people with HD are able to live independently or with only minor assistance for many years. However, HD eventually causes physical and mental disability requiring significant assistance at home or in a care facility.

Treatments for HD can be divided into two categories: those that are aimed at treating the symptoms of the illness (like depression or chorea) and those that slow down the underlying progression of the illness. Although there are currently no treatments proven to slow down progression or to delay its onset, there are clinical trials in progress which aim to identify such treatments.

Medications should be used with caution in a person with HD, who may be especially sensitive to side effects. A person with HD may respond differently to medications in different stages of the illness, so the medication list should be reviewed frequently. In general, an approach which starts medications at a low dose and increases slowly as needed works best. Ideally, medications should be given under the supervision of a physician experienced in the care of patients with HD. A person with HD may have difficulty taking medications on a schedule, so it is a good idea to keep the schedule as simple as possible and to use pill boxes or direct supervision by a care provider as necessary.