Living with adult ADHD isn’t easy. Family and friends may be well known about this, but they often can’t understand what it’s like to have this disorder. Even a person who has ADHD may have trouble understanding it. ADHD is not a result of laziness or a lack of it, but it will also.
ADHD is a recognized medical condition, and no amount of telling yourself you should be able to stop will magically make it go away. But you are not alone in learning to cope with it.
As an adult with ADHD, you may feel like you’ve tried everything to get your symptoms under control. You may have even been diagnosed as a child and been on medication for years but found that it’s no longer working as well as it used to. The good news is that there are other options for treatment that can be effective for adults with ADHD.
One of the most common and effective treatments for adult ADHD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT can help you identify and change the negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to your ADHD symptoms. It can also help you to learn new coping and problem-solving skills.
In addition to CBT, medication can also be an effective treatment for adult ADHD. Stimulant medications are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. These medications can help to improve focus, attention, and impulsivity.
ADD Treatment Without Medication
There is help for adult ADHD; it does not have to mean multiple medications or endless doctor visits. If you have been frustrated or confused about handling your adult ADHD, this guide will help.
If you eagerly want to handle your adult ADHD, make a short-term list:
- Be cooperative with complete psychological testing.
- Cooperative with and complete a psychiatric evaluation
- Identify specific benefits of taking prescribed medication on a long-term basis.
- Identify the specific behaviors that cause the most difficulty.
- List the negative consequences of ADHD problematic behavior.
- Design and implement a self-administered reward system to reinforce and encourage your good behavior. Suppose you can make a meal or have ice cream from a renowned restaurant to decrease impulsiveness, loss of temper, inattentiveness, and so on.
Learn the problem-solving skills: Problem-solving skills have the following steps-
1. Identify the problem
2. Brainstorm all possible options
3. Evaluate each option
4. Select the best option
5. Implement a course of action and
6. Evaluate the result
When you apply problem-solving skills, write down all the steps by giving one number. This is a powerful tool to solve adult ADHD and other problems.
Talk freely over psychotherapy.
Many people with adult ADHD are hesitant to see a therapist. They feel ashamed or weak because of their condition. But there is no shame in having ADHD.
Therapists are compassionate professionals who have worked with people who have this problem. They can help you learn new, practical coping skills and change bad habits that are bringing you down. This is especially important if you’ve been struggling with feelings of low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, or fear of failure.
Together, you and a therapist (and family members if you wish) can discuss these issues, how to ask for support, and how you can focus on positive ways of dealing with them.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
A restful night of sleep helps everyone, especially people with adult ADHD. If you have had insomnia or not allowing yourself adequate sleep time, your ability to concentrate gets worse so does your mood.
Getting enough sleep every night improves your ability to stay focused, improves your mood, and makes it easier to pay attention and concentrate. To get the seven to eight hours a night most adults need, avoid caffeine at least three hours before bedtime.
Take the hour before you sleep to relax, meditate, write in a journal, or read. Avoid being on a computer or watching TV because that only increases restlessness. Stick to a set bedtime to get your body in a regular rhythm.
Successfully dealing with adult ADHD involves more than just medication. Although medication is beneficial for many people, treatment doesn’t stop there. Following these methods empowers you to tackle the challenges of dealing with ADHD.
You can take charge of your life, no matter how difficult it may seem. Rest, relaxation, good nutrition, and therapy will help you live a calmer, more fulfilling life.
Relax for More Relief
If you’re like most people with adult ADHD, your life is filled with work, family, meetings, band rehearsals for your kids, and trying to fit in some quality time for your spouse and yourself. But to help alleviate ADHD symptoms, add some time for relaxation techniques into that schedule.
Yoga and meditation improve your ability to focus and increase attention while decreasing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and restlessness. By becoming centered and mentally aware, you can achieve a balance between stillness and movement. Not only will it help you relax, but it will also make planning and impulse control easier.
Exercise Your Way to Improvement
An exercise is an essential tool for getting a healthy and wealthy life. You may not know that it’s also one of the easiest ways to help with adult ADHD symptoms.
Exercise boosts your brain’s positive chemicals: dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These chemicals enhance your ability to focus and concentrate and improve your memory and mood.
Try to get in 30 minutes of exercise three or four times a week, if you can. Choose something you enjoy: walking, strength training, or playing a sport. Exercising outdoors is even better; nature is a natural mood improvement.
Eat for Better Mental and Physical Health
Everyone should eat healthfully, but it is essential for people with adult ADHD. It isn’t just what you eat that matters; it’s how often you eat. Take the time to plan a shopping list and meals, and ensure that you have easy, healthy snacks on hand when you need a boost.
Eat a snack or meal once every three hours to keep your blood sugar steady, and stop consuming junk food. Vitamins such as zinc, magnesium, and iron boost your brainpower and complex carbs and protein supply constant energy without increasing hyperactivity.
Remember: ADHD doesn’t have to control you. You have the power to control it.