The Effects of Adult ADHD and Effective Treatment Options.
Were you diagnosed with ADHD as a child? Or maybe, ADHD-like difficulties were something that you were struggling with while growing up. Chances are, as an adult, you may still be experiencing symptoms that affects your daily life. About 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD go on to still experience such symptoms when they grow into adulthood.
Effects of Adult ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic link. As such, difficulties with attention and/ or hyperactivity would have already been present since childhood.
As an adult with undiagnosed or untreated ADHD, years would have since went by to which the difficulties faced had interfered with his/ her daily living. Findings show that adults with untreated ADHD have a risk of:
- higher rates of academic failure
- increase risk of substance abuse
- higher rates of vehicle accidents
- fewer social relationships and friends
- low occupational status (unemployment or underemployment)
Persistence of ADHD symptoms and a lack of ways to cope with them means many adults with untreated ADHD experience low self-esteem and a lack of motivation. As such, many live below their potential.
Effective Treatment Options for ADHD
A thorough assessment and diagnosis by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist has to first be conducted. Then, an effective treatment plan can consist of the following:
Education regarding the disorder can be first made. This involves the client, partner of the client, and family members. This process provides new insight, comfort, reduces relationship conflict, and a reduction in remorse and guilt. Social support through this process can be integral and helpful for the client.
Pharmachotherapy, in the form of stimulant medication, then forms the first line of treatment. There are also non-stimulant variants of medication for those who do not respond well to the latter.
However, medication alone will not be sufficient in effectively treating the many issues associated with adult ADHD. Supportive coaching can be provided to work on:
- acceptance of the disorder
- learning how to organize, manage time, and complete tasks
- learning skills to deal with relationships and work difficulties
- understanding and learning how to manage emotional responses related to ADHD
Psychotherapy, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an important adjunctive treatment for adult ADHD. This is to address the variety of co-occurring issues that may have developed with the client, such as depression, anxiety, and/ or substance abuse.
While there is a lack of evidence for CBT to serve as an effective sole treatment for adult ADHD, it instead is effective in assisting the client to adapt to a lifelong issue, while also relieving the client of other co-occuring symptoms.
Conclusion
The effects of untreated ADHD can be seriously detrimental to a person’s well-being and quality of life. While symptoms may be more obviously seen in children, there are instead many other indirect consequences to untreated and/ or undiagnosed ADHD in adults. Getting the right therapy for adult ADHD is possible, and perhaps necessary, to live a life of meaningful productivity, quality relationships, and good health.
