ADHD In Adults

All You Need to Know Diagnosis Treatment & Therapy

“ADHD is something I’m proud of. It’s part of who I am, and I’m learning to work with it rather than against it.” – Emma Watson

Whenever a celebrity speaks about their mental health condition it becomes a buzz of the town. People start talking about it. The intent is to create awareness rather than stirring a controversy. The recent revelation by a celebrity about one’s ADHD condition that the person is dealing with has again shed some light on this subject. When the iconic movie Taare Zameen Par was released, people started talking about dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

People started to understand the challenges of the children who are dealing with this situation and getting help was obvious. Here When this celebrity openly spoke about ADHD, the social media, and newspapers were overflowing with various Articles and posts about adult ADHD. Here, one needs to understand that, ADHD doesn’t come directly into adulthood all of a sudden. It stems from childhood ADHD only. Though the core symptoms remain the same, they manifest a little differently in adulthood.

Living with ADHD can be difficult, but it can also be equally empowering if you understand it and embrace it. Though ADHD is often considered as a childhood condition, many adults live without even knowing, as the symptoms are missing or quite subdued.

Let’s get to know more about this.

What is ADHD

ADHD is a Neurodevelopmental disorder often identified in childhood. This often affects attention and impulsivity self-regulation. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is more common than we estimate it and affects millions worldwide. In children, ADHD is mostly associated with learning difficulties, socializing problems, and behavioral issues.

Once thought to be a childhood condition, (mostly brushed off as a product of bad parenting) that would fade away with age, research shows that it is carried forward into adulthood and continues to impact daily life, routine activities, relationships, education jobs, etc. If ADHD in childhood is left untreated, it permeates into adulthood making life miserable for them. Hence, recognizing the symptoms early and getting treatment at the earliest is quintessential to improving the quality of life.

How adult ADHD is different from children

Adults ADHD stems from childhood ADHD. Unlike children, adult ADHD symptoms are often subtle, showing up as difficulty in organization, self-regulation, time management, focus, addictions, and unstable relationships. Unlike childhood ADHD, in adulthood is associated with procrastination, overthinking or uncontrollable thinking, forgetfulness, confusion, impulsive decision-making, restlessness, addictions, emotional instability, impulsive behaviors, hyperactivity, and frequent mood swings. These behaviors impact relationships, day-to-day life, job performance, and mental health.

How to identify ADHD

Identifying ADHD involves professional evaluation. This includes a self-report questionnaire, old history/ mental health record, and inputs from immediate family members, and caregivers. Apart from ADHD diagnosis, diagnosis of comorbid conditions is also looked for as other conditions may worsen their situation. Once the diagnosis is done an effective treatment plan and strategy to improve the quality of life can be chalked out. Treatment and strategies include medication, counseling & psychotherapy.

Some common symptoms of Adult ADHD

“ADHD is just one part of me, but it’s also a part that has driven me to succeed, to stay focused, and to keep moving forward.” – Michael Phelps

The symptoms of ADHD are not just symptoms but are the challenges that a person has to face on a day-to-day basis. These symptoms impact education in childhood and continue through adolescence until adulthood if still pursuing education. The behavior makes them out-of-the-box person socially, that too in a negative way. This impacts their career and relationships throughout their life. Though inattention and hyperactivity are common symptoms, there are many other symptoms that we need to watch out for.

Lack of attention

ADHD children and adults have a major challenge staying attentive and focused on a single task. Hence, they juggle multiple tasks, which makes them great multitaskers. They frequently lose their things. They have a hard time organizing tasks and often miss their deadlines, especially on the professional front. They have trouble following a set of instructions.

Hyperactivity

Constant restlessness. They find it hard to relax. They tend to interrupt each other during conversations. They act out of impulsivity and do not think a damn before their actions. Struggling to wait for their turns in situations or conversations is another symptom that is common and children and adults.

Overthinking

Overthinking doesn’t appear to be a major problem for normal people. But they wake up with a thousand thoughts every day. It is controllable for them. Hence, they have difficulty staying focused while working or during any conversations. It appears to be like they live in a fancy world.

Risky behaviors

Adult ADHD shows symptoms like risky behavior. Reckless driving, binge purchases, binge spending, gambling, substance abuse, overeating or binge eating, etc. Hence, they always face difficulty in managing their finances.

Behavioral issues

Behavioral issues are a major symptom that is common in children and adults as well. Picking up a fight with siblings, friends, and classmates. Being bullied, unruly, difficulty in socializing, etc. Behavioral issues in ADHD are often mistaken as a part of bad parenting and they are judged. Hence, ADHD whether children or adults prefer to stay alone.

Jumping relationship/ changing partners

Adult ADHDs have difficulty forming stable relationships. For them, everything is a dopamine connection. Till the time they get the dopamine-boosting things from the relationship, they are happy and stay in it. Once there is a dip in dopamine, the relationship appears to be boring and they leave it.

Impulsivity & emotional sensitivity

Acting or speaking without considering long-term consequences is one of the major traits of ADHD in adults. Hence, they often fall into troubled situations. They do this out of emotional sensitivity. Intense response to criticism. They can go to the extent of being destructive. Being emotionally sensitive they have difficulty managing their emotions. Outbursts are common and often take a destructive way to vent it out.

Confused and Forgetful

Since they have difficulty focusing on one task at a time, they often get confused easily. Forgetfulness follows as the mind is brimmed with innumerable thoughts. These traits become a barrier in personal and professional life.

Addictions

ADHDs have an affinity to addictions when the issue is left untreated in childhood. Addictions like gambling, substance abuse, addiction to pornography, and other sexual attentions are common. This weakness is because of a dip in dopamine levels, and ADHD is all about managing dopamine. And they boot it through these activities.

Some positive traits/strengths of ADHD

“ADHD is a gift when managed, and a curse if you don’t manage it. It’s like having a Ferrari engine with bicycle brakes.” – Dr. Ned Hallowell

(Dr. Hallowell is a psychiatrist, ADHD expert, and author)

There is enough that is said about the problematic side of ADHD. But ADHDs are blessed with innumerable strengths. Once they understand their strengths their journey becomes easy, and they don’t feel the burden of this Dopamine deficit issue. Acceptance comes naturally and they embrace better coping strategies.

Creativity

ADHDs are highly creative and intuitive by nature. They thrive in the creative fields. Their out-of-the-box thinking brings fresh perspective creative fields.

Hyper focused

Though lack of focus is one of the major challenges, hyperfocus is a boon to them when they are glued to any activity of their interest. They are highly passionate about certain things, and that draws their attention.

Adaptability

ADHDs are highly adaptable. They are quick to pivot and adjust in fast-paced situations. They go by their gut feeling, and embracing the challenges of situations comes naturally to them.

Highly energetic & passionate

ADHDs are known for their very high levels of energy. This energy constantly needs to be channeled. This can be done only by getting them involved in activities that catch their attention or interest. They are highly passionate about certain things or activities. Passion is the driving force, especially when it comes to professions or education, and this is where they put in their 100% energy.

Daredevils/ risk takers

Since dopamine is the driving force in their life, they love to take up high-risk jobs, and sports that might risk their lives. As per research, many people in the armed forces have ADHD. Apart from the armed forces, they love to take risks too. Hence, many successful businessmen have ADHD too. They might come as a contradiction to the symptoms a challenge that is discussed. But businesses involve risks and they are good at it and take timely risks to bear profits.

Innovative

The world’s greatest innovators and scientists have been ADHDs. They come with out-of-the-box ideas and are much ahead of their times. Problem-solving is another major trait. Their mind is constantly bombed with ideas and thoughts. If they focus their attention on the activities, they like they can come up with breakthroughs. These innovative ideas when put into business just thrive success.

The dopamine connects

The link between ADHD & Dopamine is of key focus. In persons with ADHD, Dopamine a key neurotransmitter for motivation, pleasure, and attention is found at lower levels. This deficiency leads to a lack of focus, and impulsivity. Routine tasks don’t motivate them. Boredom comes naturally. They love to get involved in activities that kick dopamine levels. Once this link is understood, it becomes easy to understand the behavior of ADHD and its symptoms.

Treatment Therapy & Support

“ADHD can make the world come alive in unexpected ways; it’s like seeing everything in high-definition.” – Dr. Edward M. Hallowell

(A leading voice on ADHD, Dr. Hallowell has devoted his career to helping people with ADHD thrive)

Seeking professional benefits at ton in managing ADHD. ADHD also comes as a package deal sometimes with co-morbid conditions like stress, anxiety depression issues, OCD, Learning disabilities, etc. Hence the treatment plan includes proper assessment beforehand. Treatment plans include a combination of medication, therapy, and support groups. A holistic approach to dealing with ADHD is always a good choice.

Medication

Medications mostly consist of Dopamine stimulants, like Adderall or Ritalin. Other non-stimulant options can help manage symptoms. A psychiatrist is the best person to decide the treatment plan depending on comorbidity.

Behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is best suited, tailored to address behavioral issues, and other problems in the person with ADHD. A therapist who specializes in ADHD would be the best choice to come up with a CBT plan to deal with procrastination, impulsivity, mood swings, etc.

Support Network

You are not alone. Many suffer from ADHD silently and don’t know what to do and how to deal with it. Join a support group and talk it out. Join an online or in-person ADHD support group that will provide encouragement, accountability, and new strategies. Connecting with others reduces the feeling of isolation.

Coping Strategies to Manage ADHD

People with ADHD have a tough time structuring their daily life. With proper coping states after speaking to a counselor, a support group with the help of a family member, or self-learning techniques ADHD can be managed to a major extent.

Time management

effective time management is a major challenge faced by most ADHDs. Procrastination, a mind filled with zillion thoughts, lethargy, confusion, and forgetfulness, make it difficult for them to meet their deadlines and manage their time effectively.

• Break tasks into small chunks to avoid boredom or overwhelm
• Set timers, alarms, and notifications or use time management apps for better time management
• Set realistic goals and set time for each task.
• Plan everything and use digital planners, and trackers to keep you on track.

Improve focus

ADHDs struggle with focus. They have a short span of focus on any task. Hence one should avoid distractions while working or studying. That can be just any task but to stay focused avoid distractions as much as possible.

• Mute notification on a phone
• Set up a workspace where one feels more productive and focused. This is a must to get the right mood and motivation to work.
• Write down tasks as per importance and urgency, and then work on them as per priority
• Avid multitasking. Multitasking is one of the strengths of ADHD though still, this acts as a distraction many times leading to less productivity and inefficiency.

Organizing techniques

• Take a minimalistic approach. Avoid clutters. Keep the room, and workplace simple.
• Use colors to organize tasks. Like organizing files, books, and important documents, for better identification.
• Use colorful pens, or stationary for motivation.
• Use sticky notes for better identification.
• Use digital tools and apps like Notion, Trello, and Calendly, for better task management.
• Stick to a fixed routine. A fixed routine tames mind and body and this is the first step towards being a better, organized person.

Practicing self-care

• Regula physical exercise improves focus, mood, and boosts dopamine naturally. This helps in the better management of ADHD.
• A good sleep is crucial for managing ADHD. The mind has to switch off before going to bed. This helps in regulating numerous thoughts.
• Mindfulness is not just a word it’s a technique that one has to apply in day-to-day life for better focus, improved mood, and regulation of moods and emotions.

The list to manage ADHD doesn’t end here. There is a lot more than one can do to manage the condition.

Conclusion

If you have ADHD or any other one has ADHD, then get help today. Let’s accept ADHD not just as a problem with various challenges but as a condition with other strengths that can be used as opportunities. Take your medicines, avoid food that boosts dopamine wrongly like excessive sugars, carbs, starch, and chocolates, and Avoid addictions. Take medicines regularly if your mental health professional has prescribed any. Stay in touch with your psychiatrist, and your counselor for better management. One can thrive with the strengths of ADHD. It’s a boon and not a bane.

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