ADHD usually begins during childhood and can continue till adulthood, while an anxiety disorder most commonly occurs in adulthood. Anxiety disorder is not only about feeling anxious, but it is a severe and long-lasting medical condition that can make you feel distressed, uneasy, and terrified in regular situations. An adult with ADHD leads a very anxious life, as the nature of ADHD makes everyday life stressful, uncertain, and frightened.
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How to Find the Perfect ADHD Coach: A Comprehensive Guide [+Tips]
Like finding a good physician or a therapist, finding a good ADHD coach is not easy, but it is possible. When you have an excellent ADHD coach, you can become more effective in getting things done, leading teams, and growing meaningful relationships. Good ADHD coaches offer professional coaching skills and a solid understanding of ADHD. Moreover, before you start searching for the right coach for you, you must consider your goals and specific needs for coaching. Are your needs focused on procrastination and activation for tasks or on managing key relationships? Also, consider what role you want your coach to play and what kind of coaching you want.
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Is ADHD a Mental Illness? Differences in Learning and Thinking in Society.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition of lack of focus, overactive, difficulty controlling behavior, or a combination of all these. A person diagnosed with ADHD is out of the normal range of a person’s age and development. What causes ADHD is not yet apparent, but a combination of genes and environmental factors may play a part. Technically speaking, yes, it is a neurodiverse illness and a complex term that can confuse many individuals. Mental illness is a broad term that comprises many conditions affecting one’s mood, thinking, and behavior. The three main symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention, which influence mood and behavior and make ADHD fall under mental illness. ADHD is rarely described as a “mental illnessâ€; instead, many practitioners describe it as a “behavior disorder.†It may also be defined as a learning and thinking difference that can affect all areas of learning. So, although ADHD falls under the umbrella of “mental disorders,†it is rarely described as one.
Still, ADHD being a mental illness, is tough to absorb for many parents, and they may worry that their child will be stigmatized. Heredity, stress, and environmental factors all play a part in mental illnesses, and it has become a significant health concern, even for kids. Mental illnesses are much more common, and so is the stigma around them, which will only decrease the more we learn about them. Parents are worried about the labels, but the main point is that the terms describing ADHD do not matter; the main aim is to get the right help for your child. After you’ve found out that your child has ADHD, you can take steps to manage it and work with your child’s doctor and the school to develop the best solution for it. Getting the correct information, support, and management for ADHD children is the key to a better life.
What is a Mental Disorder?
The terms “mental illness,†“mental disorder,†and “mental health conditions†are used interchangeably and provide no separate definition for a mental disorder. Those with a mental illness or a disorder have the right to choose what they call it, as there is no clinical difference between these terms. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Trusted Source (DSM-5) has described the terms and the criteria for certain mental health conditions and is a standard guideline for many clinicians and professionals. In simple language, mental illness is a condition that affects one’s mood, thinking, and behavior.
What is ADHD, and How is Living with it?
ADHD is the most frequently diagnosed mental disorder among children. As the name indicates, it is a disorder that is characterized by an inability to focus on something or having a restless heart meaning the inability to rest for a while. A person with this condition can have both types of symptoms. It is predominantly found in boys rather than girls. It occurs in childhood and continues into adulthood also. This is a severe disorder that can impair the quality of life severely. It affects daily life routine, work, and social life badly.
Living with a person or child with ADHD can be exhausting, especially for a mother. There’s a little we can do about them, and they won’t improve at all. At times, they can be very irritating, but we need to know that they don’t stop to think before reacting to some situation in these situations. We have not only to work on these individuals but also on our behavior. There are some very effective life hacks about that, which are of much help.
What are the differences in learning and thinking?
ADHD is a neurodevelopment condition that causes changes in attention, behaviour, and activity levels, including impulsivity and hyperactivity. Differences are noted in brain structure, development, and function of people with ADHD who haven’t. These differences help in understanding and treating common behavioural patterns in ADHD. ADHD individuals also struggle with everyday thinking and learning and cannot optimally complete their tasks and deadlines. They have an executive function problem, but it is not of that extent to be diagnosed as a learning disability. In children, ADHD can also cause delayed thinking and learning patterns development.
Living with ADHD; Strategies for Psychological Well Being
After diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you might wonder what the next steps are. Most people think living with ADHD means adopting new tools to help manage their symptoms, which allows them to grow in their emotional health, careers, and personal relationships. Everyone has a different experience of ADHD, which is unique. There are many ways to control ADHD or manage the symptoms, and what works for one person might not work for another person. Your symptoms can lead to trouble meeting deadlines, extreme procrastination, and impulsive behavior. You may feel that family and friends don’t understand what you are against. People with ADHD can improve their daily habits, learn to recognize and use their strengths, maintain organization, and interact better with others. Helping yourself may also include educating others to help them understand what you are going through.
How does it feel to be newly diagnosed?
Many people are astonished by their emotions when they are diagnosed with ADHD. Common emotions include;
Relief: When you get an ADHD diagnosis, you feel relieved to have a label that finally describes what you are experiencing. You feel comfortable knowing that your symptoms stem from a diagnosed condition and not bad traits.
Sadness: You feel sad that you did not get diagnosed earlier. You may feel sad by thinking about what your life might have been like if you did not have ADHD. You also feel sorry for your younger self, who struggled in life with undiagnosed ADHD.
Anger: You don’t want ADHD. You feel angry, or you may be frustrated toward teachers, friends, or parents who always blamed you for your symptoms.
Tips for living with Adult ADHD:
Sometimes it can be challenging to live with ADHD. Therefore, many adults can manage their symptoms of ADHD effectively and lead productive, satisfying lives. It depends on the severity of your symptoms and whether you need help from a doctor right away or not. You can make personal adjustments to get a handle on your symptoms.
Exercise Regularly; Regular exercise may help you handle aggression and extra energy in a healthy, positive way. Practice can also be critical for maintaining good health, other than soothing and calming your body.
Get sufficient sleep; It’s very important or necessary for adults to get at least 7 to get 8 hours of sleep every night. It is difficult for you to focus, maintain productivity, and stay on top of your responsibilities by lack of sleep. You must talk with your doctor if you are having trouble sleeping.
Improve time management skills; stay organized, and set deadlines for everything, including seemingly small tasks. Alarms and timers are also helpful, so you don’t forget about specific jobs. Manage your time to prioritize essential tasks. It will further set you up for success.
Therapy for ADHD; Therapy for ADHD can be beneficial. It includes education about the disorder and psychological counseling. Therapy can help learn different ways to manage impulsive behavior. It is helpful to boost your self-esteem. Therapy may also be beneficial in improving relationships with your family, co-workers, and friends. It also creates strategies for maintaining your temper. Cognitive behavior therapy helps you manage your behavior and change negative thoughts into positive ones. Cognitive behavior therapy can be done individually or in a group. Marital therapy can help loved ones to manage the stress of living with someone who has ADHD.
Medications for ADHD; Medications help to treat symptoms of ADHD by boosting and balancing levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Stimulants used to treat ADHD include dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, etc. Some other medications that can treat ADHD contain atomoxetine and some antidepressants; they work slower than stimulants. The type of medication and its dose varies from person to person. It may take time to find what’s best for you.
Finding an ADHD coach; An ADHD coach can also help you treat the symptoms of ADHD. A coach provides individuals with strategies to overcome challenges and accomplish their goals.
Avoid multitasking; Some people thrive while multitasking, but many of us do not. Eliminate the distractions around you that attract you to doing other tasks. For example, if you are reading one subject, pack away your books on different topics. If you are focused on cooking, put your phone away.
Picky eating is when a person refuses to eat certain foods or eats the same food repeatedly. This condition is usually present in toddlers and young children, and it worries their parents if their child is getting enough nutrition or not? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition of trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active. It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood, and due to its link with mental function and wellbeing, it is often seen as linked with picky eating. Studies have shown that children with ADHD show low levels of dopamine activity and are more predisposed to craving sugar, making them avoid many nutritious foods such as vegetables and fruits, as they do not deliver as much sugar as the ADHD individual craves.
How picky eating and ADHD are linked?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodiverse disorder that includes problems in focusing on specific tasks, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Personals with ADHD are inattentive or hyperattentive most of the time, and another habit that they exhibit is being picky about certain things, such as their food. A study looked at different eating habits and how they are linked with psychological issues such as ADHD.
According to a study, there is a link between selective eating disorders and psychological disorders, and the more severe the one is, so is the other. Picky eating has also been seen to have an association with anxiety and depression. Besides, picky eaters can be of various categories, like some get afraid of the idea of eating in a restaurant than inside their house, and most of these are those with ADHD. Although a simple picky eater avoids a portion of food and eats the rest, those with ADHD do not have this simple scenario, as they not only separate anything on their plate but also become hyperactive, impulsive, and irritable.
This can lead to an exaggeration of symptoms for many days. These children are very much sensitive to anything and tend to avoid any nutritious foods, such as vegetables and fish; instead, they favor food that contains sugar. Parents need to be very vigilant when children become picky eaters since that selective eating can signify something serious. Picky eaters are commonly observed during childhood, as they tend to limit their amount of food, particularly vegetables, and are reluctant to try new foods. This behavior leads to anxiety for the parents, as it requires providing a different meal for the ADHD child, a different meal from the rest of the family. That is why they tend to struggle in feeding special meals to their picky eater child and are often concerned about the variety of nutrients their child might be getting. Selective eating also leads to an unhealthy composition of nutrients and halters proper neurodevelopmental growth.
Gut-Brain Connection; Why is Picky Eating a problem, in particular for those with ADHD?
Picky eating with ADHD is a concerning problem because the child is not getting enough nutrition from the variety of generally needed foods. Moreover, picky eating starts with a stressor such as inflammation, zinc deficiency, gut breakdown, etc., but it can become a vicious cycle later. For example, zinc deficiency can lead to picky eating, but then the child develops a habit of eating only those selective foods, which makes picky eating even worse, and the cycle continues. Besides, ADHD is not only about the brain, but it is also connected with the gut via the gut-brain connection, which means that our brain and gut are linked, and if the gut is not functioning well, the brain will also not. This leads to even more worsening symptoms of ADHD.
How can picky eating be managed? What should parents do?
When gut health improves, so does the brain, and a reduction in ADHD symptoms is seen. Removing inflammatory foods such as soy, dairy and gluten, from your child’s diet and replacing these with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables results in an improvement in ADHD symptoms happens. Of course, dealing with picky eaters is not an easy task, but it is possible. Here are some of the tips that families of picky eaters can use to manage better,
Only introduce one new food at a time, as multiple foods can become overwhelming for the child. Also, pair new food with the one that the child is already familiar with to avoid chances of weight loss and nutrition deficiency.
Do family food challenges, write down new foods to try, and get your child to participate in that challenge. You can also go for a reward option for your child.
It takes a lot of attempts to get a child’s taste buds to adapt to new flavors, so be patient in that regard.
Try new foods when your child is hungry, so they may be more open and adapt to new foods.
Try being calm and patient at the dinner table and consider bringing some joke or funny moment to jolly the mood.
Reduce inflammation in the body, making your child better try new things and not get annoyed. To start with, replace the top inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, and soy with foods like whole fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Work-life balance is a significant issue for people who have ADHD. While many people fight with life-work stability, people with ADHD face extra problems due to additional task impairments and self-acting difficulties. Lifework balance might seem hard being employees with ADHD and their partners, who usually carry a more considerable percentage of work at home.
HOW DOES ADHD AFFECT EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLES?
ADHD has various effects on job performance, as whole meetings can be agonising if you can’t sit still and struggle with organisation and focus. Managing several projects and deadlines is difficult. People with ADHD experience more problems with awareness, retentiveness, mindset, and expressiveness as all of these are governing function abilities, which are crucial in organisations.
Having ADHD, it gets hard to do the following tasks:
Time management
Organize yourself and stay organized.
Pay attention and listen.
Follow the instructions.
Finished assignments
Pay attention to details.
Arrive at work on time.
When it’s your turn, speak out.
Stay still.
Keep your emotions under check.
Anger / procrastination
Although every person has trouble sitting motionless, being attentive, or managing rude behavior, people with ADHD have difficulties that are so extensive and stubborn that they affect all elements of their lives: family, academics, social interactions, and jobs.
COACHING STRATEGIES TO GET AND KEEP A JOB FOR PEOPLE WITH ADHD:
The first step is to see a specialist that specializes in adult ADHD therapy since this is crucial for accurate diagnosis and starting the right treatment plan. Medication, treatment, or both have proven to be effective. Organizational strategies can also be studied and practiced with the help of a coach or occupational therapist.
JOB TIPS TO BE FOLLOWED:
Find tranquility. Request a quiet workspace where you will not be easily distracted.
Join forces. Work with a well-organized manager or colleague who can take you through projects from start to finish.
Make a list. Take notes during meetings and phone calls and add any new activities to your to-do list.
Plan for interruptions. Set aside time each day to respond to voice mail and email so that they don’t interfere with your other obligations.
Set reasonable objectives. Divide your days into discrete tasks and only attempt to do one job at a time. To determine when to move on to the next task, set a timer.
Make it a habit to relax. Practice relaxation exercises daily. They can assist you in concentrating. Try deep breathing or meditation. Take a walk, get a drink of water, or talk to a coworker once an hour.
Simplify. Turn routines into habits that don’t require much thought.
Self-Care. Nutrition, exercise, recreation, and sleep
Freshwater. is necessary for ADHD medicine to work and for the brain to remain precise.
Environment. Create a setting that supports your goals and suits your working style, as well as a space that energizes you.
Goal setting. Keep your goals in sight by displaying items, photographs, notes, and quotes.
Asking for help. Seek out those who can help you.
ACCOMMODATING ADHD:
With proper treatment and adjustments, nearly all indications of ADHD can be relieved, allowing employees to perform at their best. Individuals with ADHD may require accommodations such as a quiet work environment, additional time to complete tasks, and a double system check for critical review of more comprehensive work. People with ADHD also demand flexible working hours to get peak time of attention and observation.
The written form supervision, commands, and training manuals suit ADHD workers better than vocal resources. HR professionals should foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their problems and requesting appropriate help or accommodations. They should learn about invisible issues, such as behavioral and learning disabilities.
ADHD AT WORK- THE POSITIVE SIDE:
There are some advantages to having ADHD. Restlessness, impulsivity, and a relentless drive to try new things can all be beneficial qualities. This is particularly true if you own a business. Many adults with ADHD become entrepreneurs, according to studies. Finding a vocation that best suits you is the key to success. Then, to get the most out of your job, leverage your energy, inventiveness, and other strengths. When placed in the correct work along with the proper procedures with an order, people having ADHD can be outstanding and even influence workers.
Did we just say superpower? Can humans possess a superpower? Well ADHD patients seem to have a useful habit that may help them achieve certain goals as if they have a superpower.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological difference. It results in certain behavioural issues such as lack of attention and impulsivity. There was a myth that it affected male children only but now we know that it affects adults and females as well. ADHD can make everyday life a little difficult to lead as the patient is unable to pay attention to one task and makes impulsive movements. This can lead to learning difficulties in school as well.
What is ADHD Superpower?
Have you ever enjoyed an activity so much that you forgot time? Hyperfocus is the ability to concentrate on a task so much that you forget other things.
As the name Attention Deficit indicates the patient faces a lack of attention but recent studies have found that the patients face the challenge of concentrating on one task only and therefore get distracted easily. These patients may have a habit of hyper-focus. In other words, they can concentrate on one task completely, or even with more than normal concentration, if they found the task interesting.
Hyperfocus can help achieve incredible tasks. One can complete great tasks, from writing a 5-hour long tiresome research paper nonstop to completing art projects with great enthusiasm. Michael Phelps, an American professional swimmer who has won many Olympic gold medals, also has ADHD. Many famous actors and artists have ADHD and probably this superpower helped them achieve these accolades.
Disclaimer: ADHD is a disorder that may have this additional beneficial symptom. So, it is not at all worth praying or wishing to have this superpower. ADHD comes with great difficulties in life. It is not a blessing, and it should be clear to those who are lazy, face difficulty paying attention, possess poor memory, etc.
Is ADHD Superpower present in every patient?
Hyperfocus is not present in every ADHD patient however it is found to be more prevalent in adult patients. More so, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM-5) does not even list hyper-focus as one of the diagnostic indicators of ADHD. However, hyperfocus can help psychiatrists identify the disorder in adult patients as it is difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults.
Is ADHD Superpower always beneficial?
People who may get distracted easily or find it difficult to concentrate on studies and tasks may think that this superpower of hyperfocus is beneficial and may even wish to have it. But the reality is that where hyperfocus can help people achieve their tasks fully, it can also disrupt their schedules and may result in ignorance of more important tasks. Hyperfocus can result in a loss of interest in other activities such as eating food, studying for exams, completing job work, etc
How to control the ADHD superpower to your advantage?
With every superpower comes great responsibility to use it for the right purpose. If this superpower, that is hyperfocus, is used appropriately, one can use it for great purposes. Learning to control this power is the key here. And who knows you may be the next Olympic gold medal winner or some award-winning artist or scientist.
Following are some tips to follow so that hyperfocus doesn’t lead to wasting your precious time that could have been used for more important tasks.
Set alarms or reminders that disrupt your hyperfocus.
Prefer social settings over alone time as they generally have more distractions.
Ask friends or family for help.
For children, communicate with them about this symptom so they have a better understanding of it.
What is the effect of medications on ADHD superpowers?
General medication for ADHD can also help mitigate this superpower.
Summary
ADHD patients may have this seemingly paradoxical habit of hyper-focus, leading to prolonged fixity on one task that is most of their interests. This may result in not only completion of their tasks but also in an incredible way. But learning to control it and use it for productive things can be a feat to achieve. There are some modifications or medications to not let hyperfocus get the best of you and you are good to go.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodiverse condition characterized by hyperactivity, irritability, and negativity. These individuals face difficulty in managing their behavior and daily tasks. Those with ADHD have difficulty completing tasks and managing deadlines. This also causes difficulty for the family, as they are not much educated and aware of how to deal with an ADHD person. Here come the ADHD coaches, trained individuals to help adults (and children) better manage their lives. For example, you may be facing difficulties in switching jobs, hurting your marriage, or perhaps your child is facing difficulty in completing his schoolwork; all these falls under ADHD, and in each case, you may need to team up with an ADHD coach. It also comes helpful if you’re looking to better yourself in physical fitness, social skills, emotional growth, financial planning, and workplace management.
What is ADHD coaching, and are there any benefits?
In some individuals, ADHD can positively impact their energy and creativity. In contrast, others may face difficulty doing specific tasks, such as responding to emails, meeting deadlines, and following instructions. An ADHD coach is a trained person who works closely with teens and adults and directly helps them cope with these challenges. ADHD coaching can also be tailored to meet your needs, depending on you and your coach. Many coaches are flexible and can tailor their services according to your needs, making it easier for both of you to move along. You can also opt for group sessions, which may not be personalized, but they are more affordable. Another benefit of group sessions is that you may meet and exchange strategies with other ADHD individuals. Your ADHD coach helps you manage your problems in the following steps,
The organization includes time management, project management, record keeping, workflow, multitasking, prioritizing, and managing your home tasks.
Next is managing emotions, which comprises improving self-esteem, personal empowerment, reducing stress, and managing anxiety.
Developing new skills and achieving goals is also the aim. These include communication and social skills, problem-solving, public speaking, conflict resolution, etc.
How to find a good coach?
Like finding a good physician or a therapist, finding a good ADHD coach is not easy, but it is possible. When you have an excellent ADHD coach, you can become more effective in getting things done, leading teams, and growing meaningful relationships. Good ADHD coaches offer professional coaching skills and a solid understanding of ADHD. Moreover, before you start searching for the right coach for you, you must consider your goals and specific needs for coaching. Are your needs focused on procrastination and activation for tasks or on managing key relationships? Also, consider what role you want your coach to play and what kind of coaching you want. The following steps can help you in choosing a good coach.
Consider your needs and evaluate yourself to know what kinds of coaching you need and what role you see your coach play. Do you need a one-on-one or group session, and do you want to interact directly or on the phone call? Also, remember that your ADHD coach will not treat your depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and these are the illnesses you’ll have to consult other professionals for.
Research thoroughly and compile a list of potential ADHD coaches, then see what services they offer and what are the reviews of other ADHD candidates of them. Spend some time studying the coach’s website thoroughly and narrowing your search to the five best coaches.
Contact the coach and do your interview questions. Many coaches offer a free trial session, and in that, you can ask your questions, discuss your needs, and ask your coach if they can mold their services according to your needs.
After that, you can take a trial run at the best coach you have selected and be sure to take notes of all the questions you want to ask. Good professional coaches are always forthcoming to answer all your questions and help you with whatever difficulty you face.
ADHD; It’s not a Disability, It’s a different Ability.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental disorder which affects today’s children, though it also affects adults. It is a neuropsychiatric condition marked by problems such as focusing, holding attention, impulsiveness, and behavior issues related to hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain circumstances. ADHD symptoms can be undetectable; for others, symptoms can be the loss of energy or strength. The average age people, 7 years old, are diagnosed with ADHD, and symptoms are often manifest by age 12; however, it can affect younger children and even adults. In the United States, it is estimated that 9 percent of children and 4 percent of adults are affected by ADHD. Today many people see individuals with disabilities as different people who may have additional disabilities.
Understanding ADHD in adults:
According to studies, ADHD is caused by genes, changes in the environment, and slight differences in how the brain is hardwired. If adults were diagnosed with childhood ADHD, the chances are that they have carried at least one of the symptoms into adulthood. If adults were never diagnosed as a child, it doesn’t mean ADHD cannot affect adulthood. If you are affected by ADHD, you may have anxiety, depression, problems at work, impulsiveness, low self-esteem, forgetfulness, low motivation, etc. These problems can affect you significantly, or they may not bother you much. Problems can appear all of the time or may depend on the situation. Two people with ADHD are not exactly alike. ADHD is a lack of willpower.
People affected with ADHD focus well on things that interest them; they could focus on any other tasks if they wanted to. ADHD is not a willpower problem. It is a chemical problem in the management system of the brain. People affected with ADHD can focus or concentrate on activities they enjoy. They have difficulty maintaining focus when the task is tedious; it doesn’t matter how hard they try. People of all levels of intelligence are affected by ADHD. And although sometimes everyone has symptoms of ADHD, only those with chronic impairments from these symptoms have authorization for ADHD diagnosis. Sometimes ADHD overlaps with other disorders. Someone can have depression, anxiety, or any other psychiatric problem, but it doesn’t mean he is affected by ADHD. Many people struggle all their lives with unrecognized ADHD symptoms. They assumed that their chronic difficulties, like anxiety or depression, were caused by other disabilities that did not respond to usual treatment, so they haven’t received help.
Effects of ADHD in Adults:
If you discover that you have adult ADHD, there are chances that you have suffered over the years due to the unrecognized problem. You may feel like you have been struggling to maintain your head, which is overwhelmed by the constant stress caused by deferral and handling demands at the last minute. People may call you “irresponsible,†“lazy,†or “stupid†just because of your habit of forgetfulness or trouble in completing specific tasks, and you also start thinking of yourself in these negative terms as well. ADHD can contribute to various health problems, including compulsive eating, anxiety, tension, chronic stress, and low self-esteem.
When you neglect important check-ups and appointments with a doctor, ignore medical instructions, and forget to take vital medications. The symptoms of ADHD can put a quality on your work, family relationships, and love. You may be fed up with annoyance from loved ones to listen more closely. On the other hand, the people close to you may feel hurt over your insensitivity and irresponsibility. The effects of ADHD can lead to embarrassment, frustration, disappointment, lack of hope, and loss of confidence. You feel you’ll never be able to get your life under control.
How is ADHD treated?
ADHD can be treated y medicine, therapy, learning more about ADHD or education, and getting family support. Adults with ADHD have been prescribed stimulant medications. Stimulant medications include Dexmethylphenidate, Lisdexamfetamine, and Amphetamine. Stimulants are not always ideal; they have controlled substances that can be misused. Cognitive and behavioral can help with self-esteem. Mentoring may help you support at work and improve job performance. Exercise is ethical for everyone; even a little regular exercise can ease ADHD symptoms. If you regret doing weird things, such as getting angry at others, manage the impulse by pausing.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur in the same individual. Individuals with ADHD often have other mental health conditions, and around half of them may have an anxiety disorder. One thing common in both anxiety disorder and ADHD is the lack of concentration and relaxation.
The connection between ADHD and Anxiety.
ADHD usually begins during childhood and can continue till adulthood, while an anxiety disorder most commonly occurs in adulthood. Anxiety disorder is not only about feeling anxious, but it is a severe and long-lasting medical condition that can make you feel distressed, uneasy, and terrified in regular situations. An adult with ADHD leads a very anxious life, as the nature of ADHD makes everyday life stressful, uncertain, and frightened. So, ADHD cannot be discussed without bringing up anxiety, as they directly relate to little bouts of anxiety or a full-fledged anxiety disorder. Either way, they are so much linked that anxiety disorder is the most common comorbid diagnosis alongside ADHD. An ADHD individual who misses a deadline or forgets to work on an important task becomes stressed, worried, and fearful. When experienced for a longer interval of time, these situations lead to an anxiety disorder.
What is an anxiety disorder, exactly?
Anxiety is a long-lasting condition of anxiousness, fright, and uneasiness. These symptoms may affect your ability to work, study, and do daily things efficiently. Although occasional anxiety is normal and is a normal response to critical situations, which makes your response better, in anxiety disorder, these anxious feelings become permanent even at rest. These feelings interfere with daily life, and you may face difficulty controlling your fears and anxiousness. The major types of anxiety disorder are generalized anxiety (GAD), major anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression.
What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD and Anxiety Disorder?
Many of the symptoms of ADHD and Anxiety are similar and occur in the same individual. In anxiety along with ADHD, your symptoms of ADHD worsen, such as feeling restless or having trouble concentrating. Besides, you may also experience symptoms of,
Constant worry and uneasiness
Fidgeting
Inattentiveness and lack of focus
Feeling on edge
Stress
Difficulty socializing
Fatigue
Trouble sleeping
How to differentiate?
Many things are common in ADHD and anxiety, but it is important to differentiate them. Anxiety is mainly a disorder of anxiousness, nervousness, worry, and fear, while ADHD is primarily characterized by a lack of attention and concentration. Individuals with an anxiety disorder may also exhibit compulsive or perfectionist behaviors, not typically seen in those with ADHD. Lack of concentration and focus is occasional in those with an anxiety disorder, but it is a permanent thing in those with ADHD, and they experience it most of the time. These symptoms can also be identified by friends and family, but the healthcare provider must undertake a complete evaluation to reach a diagnosis.
Treatment of ADHD & Anxiety:
The treatment plan aims to treat both ADHD and anxiety disorder and varies based on the individual and the situation. Anxiety disorder can complicate ADHD treatment, as it may make people afraid to try out new things. Sometimes, both the conditions need to be treated simultaneously, while on other times, one of the conditions need to be dealt on priority basis. This is helpful, if ADHD is the cause of anxiety, or treating ADHD may can benefit with anxiety.
Medication:
ADHD treatment most commonly comprises of prescription medications, such as anti-psychotics, anti-depression, benzodiazepines, and relaxants. If any of these medications is causing any symptoms or worsen the anxiety symptoms, the medication must be replaced with an appropriate one.
Therapy and relaxation techniques:
The anxiety related to ADHD may be better managed with:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBD helps people alter their thinking pattern to better manage their behavior and anxiety symptoms. It is widey used for anxiety disorders and has also been shown beneficial in ADHD individuals.
Relaxation techniques:Meditation, yoga, praying, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, and deep breathing exercises, all play a positive part in treating stress and anxiety.
Lifestyle Changes:
Sleep is essential for better functioning, and you should aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Fatigue can worsen the feelings of anxiety, so make sure to get 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep each day. Regular exercise is also helpful in relieving anxiety in several ways. Heathy and balanced diet and staying hydrated also makes you less anxious and keeps your symptoms of ADHD under control.
