ADHD is a neurodevelopmental and executive functioning disorder that typically begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. It affects a person’s ability to focus on tasks they may find uninteresting and can involve symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. In adulthood, symptoms of ADHD may present differently than in childhood, especially hyperactivity. The disorder significantly impacts executive functioning skills and is often associated with emotional dysregulation. Due to a limited understanding of ADHD in the past, many adults remained undiagnosed but were later diagnosed in adulthood. Some have managed to cope with their symptoms throughout their lives, while for others, it remains a significant challenge. Both groups can benefit from support. ADHD has been reported to be one of the most impairing adult outpatient diagnoses (Anxiety Disorder, Depressive Disorders, relationship difficulties, etc) with the most significant impairments in school, work, and interpersonal relationships.
An adult experiencing ADHD may find it challenging to:
- Sustain their attention on tasks that require extensive mental energy especially when the task does not come easily or they are unsure how long the task may take to complete
- Listen closely in conversations or when asked to complete tasks- their mind may wander to something that brings them pleasure, they may forget part of the conversation and feel lost, or have a slower processing speed that makes it difficult to keep up in the conversation
- Follow multi-step instructions
- Organize tasks due to feeling overwhelmed about where to start or how to begin
- Locate items at home or work due to difficulty holding onto recent events in their memory
- Pay bills on time, keep appointments, or return calls due to time-blindness and organizational skill deficits
- Multitask
- Sustain long-term relationships and marital problems due partly to emotional impulsiveness
Without treatment, ADHD can be very debilitating. Many individuals have done their best to cope, and these coping skills, if unhealthy, can lead to depression, anxiety, perfectionism, or even addictive behaviors. The most effective treatments for adult ADHD are executive function coaching or training, medication management, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Executive function coaching involves a professional identifying the areas in a person’s executive functioning that impact them. This individual will assist you in finding tools to support your executive functioning needs and develop modifications in appropriate areas and contexts. CBT will help adults become more aware of their executive function difficulties, how they respond emotionally, and what solutions they can utilize to support themselves. Due to the difficulty with emotional impairment experienced in ADHD, CBT can be very helpful. In addition, there is a negative self-talk component that impacts adults with ADHD that is addressed with CBT. This therapeutic method can also help adults develop more confidence and/or identify other co-occurring mental health concerns coexisting with ADHD. This will allow you to become the expert on your ADHD!
In regards to parenting, parents with ADHD are most effective when their own ADHD is treated. Here at Dandelion, we would be honored to support you as an individual adult with ADHD, suspected ADHD, or parenting with ADHD.
Fun facts:
- The peak performance time for ADHD adults is often afternoon or nighttime
- Self-employment can be more motivating for ADHD adults
- Adult ADHD is the most treatable and manageable disorder of all adult disorders
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know#part_6209
https://www.additudemag.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-adhd/
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/cbt-for-adhd/#:~:text=In CBT sessions, a therapist, impulsivity, and relationship conflict