Treating Adult ADHD
The American Psychological Association (APA) first recognized Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) as a disorder in 1968. At the time, it was considered a childhood disorder that a person would “grow out of.” Diagnostic criteria has been developed and refined over time, however, and we now know thatADHD is a life-long problem with symptoms that persistinto adulthood.
While ADHD is commonly diagnosed (and, some believe, overdiagnosed) in children, getting properly diagnosed and treated as an adult can be frustrating for several reasons. Psychiatrists and psychologists who specialize in treating ADHD often only work with children, so finding a specialist who works with adults can require a lot of searching—and, once you find one,they often have very long waiting lists for appointments.
If someone has been wrestling with their symptoms since childhood without diagnosis or proper treatment, they may develop intense performance anxiety and low self-esteem. Adults with these symptoms are typically treated for anxiety and depression, which does little to solve the underlying ADHD symptoms that are causing their mental health problems.
Getting effective treatment for adult ADHD can be challenging as well. Too often, a pill is offered as the only solution. While the right medication can be life-changing for someone with ADHD, those changes will impact every fact of life. And what if the first medication they try isn’t right for them? Then what?
Successful treatment for adult ADHD combines medication management, behavioral and lifestyle changes, and positive mental health practices.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modification
Without treatment, adults with ADHD have developed patterns of behavior that may have worked for some things in their lives but often caused frustration in other areas. While successful treatment can be a game-changer, no medication lasts all day. Dr. Forest works with her patients to create new habits that are adaptable and will alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with ADHD. This can include improving time management skillsby working with a calendar and setting up reminders and alarms; prioritizing tasks and emails by color coding them; learning new habits that help to keep your life organized, like always putting your keys and wallet in the same spot when you walk in the door.
Medication Management
The right medication should be selected and adjustedfor the neurobiology of each person and tailored to the kind of activities they’re expected to perform. At this point, we don’t have a medication that cures ADHD, but we do have medications to lessen the symptoms. Stimulants are considered the most effective medicine for most people and, when used appropriately, are very safe. While there are several different kinds of stimulant medication on the market today, they don’t all work for everyone. Dr. Forest checks in with her patients to monitor their results and experiences to ensure they’re on the right medication for their needs.
Mindfulness
After 3-6 months of treatment with Dr. Forest, her patients with ADHD usually have an “awakening.” They feel more in control and capable of handling whatever life brings their way. They’re more prepared to move forward in their personal lives and expand their social network. They’ve accepted that promotion at work, or they’ve decided going back to school wasn’t impossible after all. They’ve had time to reflect on the past, and they understand now that the symptoms of ADHD drove many of their previous choices and actions, and they’re reevaluating their skills and abilities. Sometimes, they’re even able to forgive themselves a bit easier. Becoming mindful of these realizations can also help a person realize that their ADHD “problems” can be assets. For example, people with ADHD are often great problem-solvers! Their flexible attention allows them todigest multiple streams of information from various sources, which gives them a broader, more nuanced understanding of an issue. That same inability to remain focused on a single idea is what can make it easier for them to let go of a solution that doesn’t work and look for a completely different approach that does. In some ways, ADHD can provide advantages that a person wouldn’t have otherwise.