Succeeding with ADHD as an adult
Most people know ADHD (Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common adolescent challenge. According to a report published in 2021 on the National Library of Medicine website, 8.7% of children ages 3-17 years old deal with it. Although it is often believed people grow out of the disease as they age, the National Institute of Mental Health shares data that 8.1% of adults ages 18-44 years deal with the disorder.
As with most things, understanding you may be dealing with ADHD as an adult is the first step to success.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of adult ADHD challenges include:
Focusing on work that results in unnecessary mistakes.
Focusing on tasks that take a long time, including paying attention in long meetings or concentrating on reviewing a long report.
Listening when someone is talking.
Organizing and managing time.
Participating in quiet activities.
Interrupting others.
If you are looking for natural ways to deal with ADHD, try these tips from Harvard Health:
Stay organized – a messy office or room is easily distracting.
Make lists – write down what you need to accomplish, label each task by priority and then stick to it.
Position yourself to focus – remove distractions from your workspace and ensure you have everything you need to complete a task. Getting up to get an item from another room while working can make it hard to return to what you need to do.
Avoid multi-tasking – it makes it harder to focus and complete a task.
If you think the symptoms above describe you, in addition to trying the natural remedies, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss them. Even if you were never diagnosed as a child, it does not mean you do not have ADHD. However, the symptoms above can also be signs of other disorders or medication side effects that your doctor can help with. Until you know what is causing your problems, it is much harder to get better.
Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.
