People with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will tell you that they remember and forget their to-do list a dozen times a day. They set reminders to start tasks, recall the need to complete their plans, then promptly forget … again and again. The cycle can be difficult to break, and adults who suffer from ADHD may feel a great amount of shame and frustration at not being able to “adult” properly, but this condition is not a shortcoming, it’s a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Adults with ADHD may have trouble focusing, completing uninteresting or lengthy tasks, or making impulsive choices. “They are likely to experience an internal struggle such as procrastination, difficulties with organization, and emotional regulation,” says Crystle Eldridge, PMHNP, Integrated Behavioral Health, Northern Light Acadia Hospital.
Times get tough when someone with ADHD is under high stress, making it harder to complete daily tasks, take care of their health, and manage relationships, which is why it’s no surprise that anxiety is often a symptom of ADHD. When anxiety takes over, it can be more difficult to think critically, manage time well, organize and prioritize tasks, problem solve, and more.
The good news is that providers at Northern Light Health can help patients with ADHD using a combination of approaches. “One thing that I discuss with my patients diagnosed with ADHD, is that pills do not teach skills,” continues Crystle. “Medications change chemistry, which may help support task initiation, persistence, and resisting distractions, but it’s important that medications are taken in combination with lifestyle changes.”
For those who tend to make impulsive decisions, here’s one skill you can practice: use the 24-hour rule. This self-management strategy helps pause spontaneity by building in a 24-hour waiting period before making a big decision. At that point, you can evaluate the pros and cons of your possible decision, without the immediate emotional impulse.
If you know someone who exhibits ADHD symptoms, be patient with them, and try to understand that they live in a confusing world. Encourage loved ones to seek help for ADHD. In Maine, several kinds of healthcare providers can diagnose the condition, including primary care providers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician associates, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, licensed clinical professional counselors, and social workers.
To learn more about services available for patients with mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders, visit northernlighthealth.org/behavioral.