Everyone struggles with getting to appointments and places on time, having meaningful relationships with their friends and family members and staying organized. It takes effort and healthy daily habits to reach these goals. For people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), those things may seem impossible. These individuals have to constantly battle their symptoms in order to reach success in work and have healthy relationships.
Symptoms
Symptoms for ADHD occur during childhood, but many people continue to struggle with them throughout adulthood. You may not have received a diagnosis of ADHD or treatment for the disorder until adulthood or you may have been taking medication and going to therapy since you were seven years old. The main symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. If you have this disorder, you might forget important dates, have trouble focusing during meetings at work, have difficulty finishing projects, act socially inappropriate and have problems maintaining romantic relationships.
Types of Treatment
Adults with ADHD have three basic treatment options: medication, therapy and support groups. Medication will not cure you of ADHD, but it can help reduce unpleasant symptoms such as trouble concentrating and impulsivity. The two main forms of medication are stimulants, such as Ritalin, and non-stimulants, such as Strattera. Sometimes doctors will suggest antidepressants as a course of treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common form of individual psychotherapy used to treat ADHD is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Misconceptions
Some people think that people with ADHD are lazy and lack willpower. If you're an adult with ADHD, you can probably focus on things that you enjoy doing but have trouble concentrating on things that don't interest you. This might come across to others as lack of willpower; however, HelpGuide.org reports that it relates to chemical imbalances in your brain.
Effects
Many people with ADHD have trouble in their relationships. They tend to interrupt others, change conversation topics, forget birthdays and anniversaries and appear selfish and insensitive. If you have adult ADHD and you don't work on communication and concentration issues, you'll probably have a hard time making and maintaining healthy relationships. Also, this disorder impacts a person's ability to be successful at work. If you have trouble concentrating at work and act impulsively, you might get demoted or fired. Some people with this disorder find themselves depressed or anxious. They might turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their stress and feelings, which can lead to substance abuse problems.
Self-Help
Reduce your symptoms of ADHD by practicing daily healthy habits. Make it a priority to exercise daily to reduce hyperactivity, sleep eight hours each night to increase productivity and concentration and eat healthfully most of the time. Improve your time management skills by setting deadlines and sticking to them, organizing your work space, keeping a detailed planner and setting small, specific goals for each day.
