ADHD as an Adult the Challenges
by Joni Lund on 06/16/14
What is ADHD?
ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a condition that causes people to have trouble paying attention and staying focused. ADHD makes it hard to keep a calm mind and body (hyperactivity) and to thing before acting (impulsivity). These problems can make everyday life difficult and interfere with school and work. It can also caus problems in relationships with friends and family.
People with ADHD often feel that these challenges are character flaws (God forbid if you have a husband or wife that thinks so.) or that it's "their fault." Science, however, tells us that there are biological differences in how the brain works in people with ADHD. Many of these differences occur in the parts of the brain that help control attention and behavior.
Can Adults Have ADHD?
When you think ADHD, you may picture a "hyper" child who runs around and cannot sit still, play quietly, or pay attention in school. Adults with ADHD, it's harder to organize projects and prioritize tasks.
Other symptoms include being forgetful, geting easily distracted, and making careless mistakes. Also, people with ADHD my feel restless, have trouble relaxing, or feel on edge much of the time. They may squirm or fidget, talk too much, or have trouble waiting for their turn.
Like children with ADHD, adults also have trouble controlling their impulses. That is, they don't always think before they speak or act. For example, people with ADHD my tend to interrupt people when they're talking or answer questions before other people asking the questions have finished talking.
Symptoms
Many children with ADHD continue to struggle with symptoms of ADHD as adults. If you've always had trouble focusing, paying attention, or sitting still, it my seem "normal" to you. Often, it's a friend, coworker, or spouse who first suggests that you might have ADHD. If your child has ADHD, it may be the first time you notice that you share the same traits.
If you think you might have ADHD, talk with your doctor. You will be asked questions about your symptoms, and your doctor might suggest that you see a mental health professional wit experience trreating adult ADHD. Your doctor will look closely at your attention, concentration, distractibility, and short-term memory. Your doctor will want to make sure that your symptoms are not caused by other conditions that can look like ADHD. If you've had ADHD symptoms since childhood, it's important to let your doctor know.
Treatment
While you cannot cure ADHD, there is a lot you can do to improve symptoms. Medication is often an important part of treatment. Lifestyle changes, coping strategies, and theraphy can also help.
Dorctors use several types of medications to treat ADHD. It may take some trial and error to find the right medicine - and the right dowes- for you. Stimulants (including methylphenidate) can help with focus, concentration, and impulsivity. Medications that treat depression and other conditions can sometimes help with ADHD symptoms too.
For many adults with ADHD, combining medication with psychological therapy is most successful. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help you reduce the behaviors and habits that work against you and improve your problem-solving skills.
Other forms of therapy are also useful. Some teach you to manage your time or to better control you emotions. Simply talking with a therapist can often hwlpadults with ADHD repair and maintain relationships, and overcome negative feelings that can come from struggling with ADHD. You may want to find out if ther's an ADHD support group in your area.
Lifesyles Changes Can Help
There are things you can do at home and at work to help overcome the challenges of ADHD.
1. Exercise is good for the body and mind. For adults with ADHD, it's a healthy way to burn off excess energy, for example, before sitting down as part of your daily or weekly schedule.
2. Eat well and get enough sleep. Your diet shoudlbe rich in colorful fruits and vebgetables. It should also include whole grains, lean protein, and healthy oils (olive, palm, & coconut.) Try to create a consistent bedtime rountine that helps you wind down.
3. Build a rountine and stick with it. Some people do best when their tasks and the demands on their time are consistent and predictable. Set up a "launch pad" near the door for keys, wallets, glasses, briefcases, and backpacks.
Tips to Help With Planning and Organization
Make to-do lists.
Create a schedule. Put your schedule on your smartphone, computer, or tablet.
Simplity. Break down large projects into smaller tasks, each with their own deadline.
Rountine. Create a rountine and stick to it.
Reduce distractions
- keep distracting thoughts from popping into mind by writing them down.
- dedicate a clutter-free workspace.
-avoid distracting background noise.
-turn off email and internet access while working.
Reward yourself. Eveyone needs to feel rewarded for a job well done or a task completed.
Remember what it important to you. Eveyone needs to feel rewarded for a job well done or a task completed.
Rebuild in accoutability to others. A calendar is a great way to remember a meeting. But asking a colleague to come get you on the way to the conference room may make it more likely that you'll attend.
Avoid controling people.
Friends and family whom don't understand the nature of this disorder will be the most challenging to mantain relationships without them personally attacking the person with ADHD.
And low lifes of society will search out ways to control and maniuplate people with ADHD.
ADHD is now thought to be a form of autism.
