Many people associate ADHD with children. While it’s a common childhood disorder, it impacts many adults, too.
Some adults deal with ADHD because they weren’t properly diagnosed as a child. Others have been carrying it since childhood and are still trying to find treatments that work.
Whatever the case, there are ways to manage and treat your ADHD now. If it’s causing problems in your life, you don’t have to keep living with such extreme symptoms.
With that in mind, let’s look at five treatment options for adults living with ADHD that can help you almost immediately.
1. Medication
Medication is, perhaps, the most common treatment option for both kids and adults living with ADHD.
The medication typically used is designed to better balance the dopamine and norepinephrine levels in your brain to improve both concentration and your attention span. That doesn’t change, no matter how old you get.
2. Antidepressants
It’s important to note that many adults dealing with ADHD also take antidepressants or attend therapy for anxiety and/or depression.
ADHD can be hard to live with, especially if you’ve been dealing with it for a while without a diagnosis. It can impact your relationships, your family, and even your career. If it negatively takes a toll on your life, it can absolutely impact your mental health.
If that sounds like you, seeking out mental health treatment for depression and/or anxiety is crucial as you also treat ADHD.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is one of the most commonly used therapies to treat ADHD. It helps you to change your thoughts and behaviors, and can even boost your self-esteem along the way.
It will also allow you to address issues and choices that can exacerbate your ADHD symptoms. When you know what those things are, you can keep them to a minimum to make your symptoms easier to manage.
Instead, CBT can help you to focus on habits that can keep your ADHD under control. Lifestyle changes like getting better sleep and more exercise can make more of a difference than you might realize.
4. Stress Management
Everyone deals with stress on a daily basis. A little bit of stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But, when was the last time you were dealing with just a “little bit of stress”?
Unfortunately, stress can make your ADHD symptoms worse, and serve as a vicious cycle. The more your symptoms affect your life, the more stressed you’ll become. It can even cause a lot of frustration and eventually crush your sense of self-worth.
One of the easiest ways to manage your symptoms is to manage your stress. Using relaxation techniques like meditation or mindfulness can help, and they only take up a few minutes of your day.
Beyond that, don’t be afraid to acknowledge and recognize your stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at any given time, stop what you’re doing and take a few deep breaths. Stand up, stretch, and go for a walk. Do whatever it takes to manage your stress so you can remain focused and attentive.
5. Keep Your Life Organized
ADHD management is just as important as treatment. There are things you can do each day to keep your ADHD under control and feel more centered, especially while you’re going through other types of treatment. That includes keeping things as organized as possible.
If your life feels “cluttered,” your brain might start to feel the same way. By keeping things clean, organized, and scheduled, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed and distracted. Does it take a bit of extra effort? Yes. But, it’s beyond worth it to keep your ADHD symptoms in check.
Being an adult with ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of, but you don’t have to continue dealing with it on your own. Please read more about ADHD Therapy and contact me soon for a consultation.
Be well,
Dr. G
