Managing ADHD: How Working with a Therapist Can Help
Managing ADHD requires a complex combination of treatments. Therapy is one of the best because it targets areas where you might be struggling and helps you learn to actually enjoy the way your mind works.
It's estimated that around 5-7% of children and 2-3% in adults have ADHD. Around 50% of childhood cases persist into adulthood. This makes management a lifelong struggle.
Formative Psychological Services offers several options for ADHD therapy. Finding the right one for you can have a major impact on your quality of life.
What Is ADHD?
The most important part of managing ADHD is defining what it is and what it is not.
There's persistent stigma around the condition. It isn't a personal failure or sign of laziness.
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It affects how you regulate functions such as:
Attention
Impulse control
Motivation
Emotions
There are also two major types: inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive. It's even possible to have both.
Inattentive ADHD is more about struggling to regulate attention and finish tasks. Red flags for this type include:
Difficulty completing tasks
Difficulty sustaining attention
Poor organizational skills
"Daydreaming" or "spacing out"
Struggling with sustained mental effort
Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD is the more well-known type. As the name suggests, it can cause high energy. Other red flags for this type include:
Fidgeting
Feeling the need to move
Difficulty taking turns, including during conversations
ADH is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, especially in women. This can lead to consistent hits to self-esteem. Those who don't have a diagnosis may wonder what they're doing wrong and why they can't "just focus" like everyone else. It can also strain their relationships.
What Other Conditions Are Mistaken for ADHD?
One of the major reasons that ADHD is misdiagnosed is that it shares so many symptoms with other issues. The most common are mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. They often co-occur alongside ADHD.
It also shares symptoms with several medical issues. These can include:
Developmental disorders
Epilepsy
Thyroid problems
Sleep disorders
Brain injuries
Low blood sugar
A proper diagnosis is the first step in managing ADHD.
ADHD Therapy Techniques
There are several different ADHD therapy techniques available to treat the many ways the condition affects the brain. Most focus on unhealthy patterns of thoughts or behaviors.
Your therapist can help come up with ADHD treatment plans for your needs. They can also treat co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most well-supported methods for ADHD. It involves talking with a therapist who helps you turn current negative thoughts or actions into better ones. These could include shame about your ADHD or problems from other co-occurring conditions.
It often involves homework outside the session to maximize results, such as journaling about how you feel. Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically a short-term approach, but it can be repeated.
Psychodynamic Therapy
This is one of the oldest forms of therapy in the world. It simply involves talking with the therapist about what's on your mind.
The goal is to get to the roots of any harmful thoughts or behaviors so you can stop them. The process can continue for as long as necessary.
Family Therapy or Couples Counseling
Family therapy or couples counseling helps deal with the relationship-focused challenges that ADHD presents. It helps those with the condition, but it also helps their loved ones learn what they should do to help. Both will learn to communicate and solve problems together.
Play Therapy
ADHD typically first shows up in childhood, making play a helpful tool. It helps therapists learn how they think. It also helps the children learn to communicate and regulate emotions.
How Therapy Helps with Managing ADHD
Therapist insights for ADHD may take time to set in, but they can affect all parts of daily life.
Therapy helps with time management and organization. It improves problem-solving skills.
Emotional regulation is one of the most important benefits. Therapy helps those with ADHD catch themselves before they react with emotion or try to ease their feelings with impulsive behaviors.
Therapy helps those with ADHD improve their relationships with others. They also improve their relationships with themselves by coping with past failures and improving self-esteem.
What is the Best Lifestyle for People with ADHD?
The best way to maximize therapy for ADHD is to live a healthy lifestyle. Failing to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep can trigger symptoms.
Society also needs to improve ADHD life accommodations and make them well-known. Students can get extra time on tests. Adults can get quiet workspaces and structured schedules or reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ADHD Hereditary?
Yes, it can be. A Cureus study says genetic variants affect 22% of heritability. Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent, sibling, or child, with the condition increases your risk by about four to five times.
Can ADHD Be Caused By Trauma?
Trauma doesn't directly cause ADHD, but it can worsen symptoms. Even national traumatic events can play a part.
It's also important to remember that trauma can present similar symptoms to ADHD, such as:
Hypervigilence
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Inattention
Restlesness
Memory issues
Both issues can even affect the brain in a similar way. They target areas responsible for emotional regulation and executive function.
What are the Five Gifts of ADHD?
ADHD is more than a dysfunction. It also provides gifts.
The first is hyperfocus. They can focus on an interesting subject for hours.
The second is creativity. Their active minds tend to come up with unique solutions.
The third is resilience. They can withstand more mental and physical strain.
The fourth is high energy. When channeled correctly, it can help them achieve their goals and live their best life.
The fifth is empathy. Being able to connect with others and understand what they're feeling is an important gift.
Improve Your ADHD Life Today
Managing ADHD requires a combination of therapy and lifestyle changes.
Formative Psychological Services is a dedicated medical health clinic in Chicago. We have offices in Ravenswood and Northbrook, but also offer online care.
We offer mental health services and training to adults, children, schools, and doctors. We combine robust training with genuine warmth. Our goal is to provide everyone with a comfortable experience that improves their lives.
Contact us to schedule an appointment today.