Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a life-long disorder of self-regulation and impaired functioning. The abilities to plan, organize and focus are impaired by this condition. Also, going through childhood developmental stages into adulthood with deficits in these areas typically creates secondary problems (low self-esteem, faulty social skills, procrastination, difficulty managing anger or addictive behaviors). Adult treatment is a matter of addressing both the deficits of self-regulation as well as the secondary problems which arose during development into adulthood. Every adult with ADHD is unique and a personalized professional assessment is needed to identify the right combination of treatments.
Step 1
Understand that psychological education is about learning new skills to compensate for attention deficits. It is important for a person with ADHD to develop skills which externalize important information, such as writing information in an organized fashion and posting reminders in key locations. Education typically also provides information about research findings on the causes and advancements in ADHD treatment.
Step 2
Know that many adults with ADHD have internalized many negative messages about their character. Cognitive therapy is about identifying, challenging and changing these negative messages. With this type of change, the patient can increase their self-confidence, self-esteem and find new motivation to actively manage the symptoms of ADHD.
Step 3
Keep in mind that behavioral therapy is about becoming responsible for one's behavior and finding practical skills to modify problematic behavior. The patient learns to alter automatic reactions to both internal triggers (such as boredom) and external stimuli (such as distractions). The patient develops a plan to address the specific triggers.
Step 4
Remember that support is an important component for adults with ADHD. The compassion, tolerance and accommodations provided by others are central to building success. A support network is made up of individuals the patient interacts with on a regular basis. These individuals learn the patient's basic needs remain ready to "be there" when needed.
Step 5
Take into consideration that traditionally only adolescents and children with ADHD work on refining social skills. It is becoming increasing popular, however, for adults to engage in social skill training. For adults, this work becomes a matter of refining patterns of social interaction which have been established and may need to be slightly changed.
Step 6
Note that many adults with ADHD develop addictions. These may start as a result of poor self-regulation, as methods of coping with stress related to the disorder, poor impulse control, or a combination of all three. Regardless of the origin, the type of treatment depends on the addiction (drugs, alcohol, sexual, gambling, among others). Most addictions respond well to cognitive behavioral therapy along with support from a 12-step program.
Step 7
Remember that one of the most important components of treatment is medications. Medications help reduce the internal sense of stress and confusion which come along with ADHD. Medications also help decrease distractibility and improve focus.
References
- You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder; Kate Kelly et. al; 2006
- ADHD in Adults; Russell A. Barkley PhD.; 2009
- Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults: A Different Way of Thinking; Lynn Weiss; 2005
