How to Cope with Adult ADHD
This article will suggest treatments for adults coping with ADHD so that they can enjoy a high quality of life.
Table of Contents
Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition characterized by an inability to pay attention, a lack of impulse control, and difficulty concentrating. It typically starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood. ADHD can be quite problematic in adults that need to be productive, but it is manageable. There are ways for coping with adult ADHD.Â
Symptoms Presentation
Even though ADHD starts in childhood, it may not be diagnosed until someone reaches adulthood. Here are some adult ADHD test symptoms to look out for:1Â
- Impulsiveness
- Poor time management
- Lack of focus
- Difficulty multitasking
- Easily frustrated
- Difficulty coping with stress
- Problems completing tasks
- Mood swingsÂ
Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders
It is not unusual for patients with ADHD to develop comorbid psychiatric disorders, which are two or more psychiatric disorders that occur in the same person simultaneously. People with ADHD are likely to develop depression, anxiety, and other emotional issues.1Â
Types of ADHD
There are different types of adult ADHD that may be diagnosed. These include:
- Inattentive ADHD is primarily characterized by a lack of ability to pay attention.
- Hyperactive impulse ADHD involves a lack of ADHD impulse control along with excessive restlessness.
- The combination type refers to individuals with inattentiveness and hyperactivity.Â
Identify Coexisting Conditions
Many coexisting conditions may occur in people coping with ADHD. These include the following:
- Anxiety: The frustration adults coping with ADHD feel due to their inability to plan and complete tasks can cause an anxiety disorder.
- Bipolar disorder: People with bipolar disorder find it difficult to focus and may be diagnosed with ADHD.3
- Depression: People coping with ADHD may be depressed by the limitations the disorder is causing.
- Personality disorders: Personality disorders may cause an inability to concentrate, focus and become organized.
- Substance use disorder (SUD): People with ADHD may self-medicate using drugs and alcohol to soothe their symptoms. This can result in a SUD.Â
Negative Effects of ADHD Medication in Adults
When it comes to managing adult ADHD, ADHD medication often comes into play. However, it can lead to harmful side effects including:
- Drug abuse: The stimulants used in ADHD treatment are highly addictive and can lead to drug abuse.
- Alcohol abuse: If people are unable to get the adult ADHD help that they need from prescribed medication, they may self-medicate with alcohol to reduce symptoms.Â
How to Deal with Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD is difficult to deal with, but there are solutions for managing ADHD. You can start by seeking professional help, as a trained professional will provide therapy and prescribe medications that will reduce ADHD symptoms. Exercise is also a beneficial method for coping with ADHD. It increases serotonin levels to reduce depression and anxiety and it is great for working off excess energy.Â
ADHD Coping Tips
People looking for adult ADHD help may also adapt coping skills for adults. These include:
- Get organized: If you are well organized you will be more focused and better prepared to see tasks through the completion.
- Let go of perfectionism: Trying to be perfect is futile. You will never attain your goal and it will only make you more frustrated.
- Manage time: Give yourself a certain amount of time to complete tasks throughout the day so you end up getting more done. Use a timer if necessary.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses: If you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you will know which tasks you should be handling and which you should be delegating.
- Build a routine: Following a similar routine every day will help you stay on track.Â
Apps to Help with Organizing
There are also several apps to help people coping with ADHD become more organized. Here are some you may want to download:Â
Waze
The Waze app finds the best driving routes. It will help you get to destinations more efficiently.Â
Lastpass
Lastpass stores passwords so you are not struggling to remember how to get into your websites.Â
YNAB
You Need a Budget (YNAB) helps you get your finances in order.Â
Brili
Brili helps families with children stay on schedule.Â
Out of Milk
Out of Milk is a grocery shopping list app that ensures you do not forget anything when you go to the market.Â
Google Keep
This note-taking service will allow you to take important notes and share them with others.Â
Apps to Help with Calming
Apps that provide a calming effect will combat the anxiety many adults coping with ADHD feel. Here are some that are recommended.
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Calm
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Calm provides meditation products and guided meditation.
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Breathe3Relax
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This app offers breathing exercises that help with relaxation.
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Yoga Nidra
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Yoga Nidra is a sleep-based meditation. The app helps reduce stress, manage insomnia and promote clarity and focus. Â
Treatment for ADHD
There are several types of ADHD treatment available. Here are some things people living with ADHD may try:
- ADHD Medication: ADHD medication includes stimulants and non-stimulants that promote ADHD impulse control and increase focus.
- Counseling: Talking to a medical health professional can help people with mild ADHD and severe ADHD.
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is talk therapy. It is effective in ADHD treatment.
- Brain Mapping: Brain mapping involves looking at the activity in the lobes of the brain to determine cognitive behavior and find the best solutions for physical and mental disorders.4Â
What is Brain Mapping?
Brain mapping involves a cap being placed on the scalp. Software is used to capture electrical impulses in the brain that reveal brain wave patterns. The result is a visual brain map report which helps professionals identify problem areas and find the best treatments.
Types of Brain Scans
The three major types of brain scans are as follows:
- A CT scan captures x-ray images without the use of contrast dye.
- An MRI scan uses magnetic field radio waves to produce images.
- PET scan which shows actual brain function.
Brain Mapping for ADHD
Brain mapping allows medical professionals to determine the brain activity causing ADHD symptoms so they can come up with the best ADHD treatment methods.
Why Choose J. Flowers for Brain Mapping
If you are looking into brain mapping for adult ADHD, J. Flowers Health Institute can help you to recovery.
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Our clinic offers brain mapping neuro-engineering used by NASA and Olympians. We provide the most technologically advanced systems to diagnose, treat and measure healing of mental and physical disorders. Our services are available in-house, so you do not have to go from clinic to clinic to get the care you need.
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Managing adult ADHD is not easy but the right treatment methods will help. If you are wondering how to deal with ADHD, do not hesitate to reach out to J. Flowers. We will come up with effective methods to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.Â
Resources
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878Â
- https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/3/e019700Â
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955#:~:text=Overview,or%20pleasure%20in%20most%20activities.
- https://sandstonehealth.com/specialties/sandstone-center-for-neurofeedback/what-is-brain-mapping/
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