Behavioral coaching to teach the person strategies for organizing home and
work activities.
Job coaching or mentoring to support better working relationships and
improve on-the-job performance.
Family education and therapy.
In-depth assessment, treatment planning, medication management, individual
therapy, education and family support are all necessary to help the adult with
ADHD function in new ways and build his or her self-esteem. Because ADHD is
often associated with other conditions (such as specific learning disabilities,
anxiety and mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and chemical
dependency), in-depth assessment is the first step in developing a
comprehensive, customized treatment plan.
Psychosocial Behavior Management Strategies
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from some basic organizational concepts
and behavior management strategies to help manage the condition. Here are ways
to train yourself to overcome these problems or make them more manageable:
Take medications as directed. If you are taking any medications for
ADHD or any other condition, be sure and take them exactly as prescribed.
Missing a dose or taking two doses at once to catch up on missed doses can have
negative consequences for you and others. If you are noticing side effects or
other problems, speak to your health care provider as soon as possible.
Organize yourself. Train yourself to become more organized. Make
lists of daily tasks (be reasonable!) and strive to complete them. Use a daily
planner, leave notes for yourself and set your alarm clock when you need to
remember an appointment or other activity.
Control impulsive behavior. If you have a tendency to do things you
later regret, such as interrupting or getting angry at others, manage the
impulse by counting to 10 while breathing slowly instead of acting out. Usually
the impulse will pass as quickly as it appeared.
Minimize distractions. Find ways to reduce the distractions
throughout the day. If you find yourself being distracted by loud music or the
television, turn it off or use earplugs. Move yourself to a quieter location or
ask others to help reduce distractions.
Find constructive outlets for excess energy. People with ADHD
sometimes seem to have more nervous energy than others, and this hyperactivity
needs to have an outlet of some sort. A hobby or other pastime can be
helpful.
Ask for help. We all need help from time to time and it is important
to not be afraid to ask for it when you need it. If you are having disruptive
thoughts or behaviors, ask a counselor if they have any techniques that might
help control them.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment may incorporate mood stabilizer medications, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to suffer repeated obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms include irresistible impulses despite a person's realization that the thoughts are irrational, excessive hand washing, skin picking, lock checking, or repeatedly rearranging items. People with OCD are more likely to develop trichotillomania, muscle or vocal tics, or an eating disorder. Treatment for OCD includes psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by the symptoms hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Treatment for ADHD may involve behavioral therapy and psychostimulant or antidepressant medication.
Learning disabilities can cause an individual to have trouble learning and using skills such as reading, listening, writing, reading, speaking, reasoning, and performing mathematics. There is no cure for learning disabilities. Parents and teachers working together to properly diagnose learning disabilities can properly plan a course of education. For some, medication may be appropriate as complimentary treatment.
Stress may be considered as any physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental unrest and that may be a factor in disease causation. An important goal for those under stress is the management of stress in our lives. Elimination of stress is unrealistic, since stress is a part of normal life. We can however, learn to manage stress through techniques such as exercise, relaxation, meditation, time management, and support systems so that we have control over our stress and its effects on our physical and mental health.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be challenging for a parent or caregiver with a child with this disorder. There are steps, routines, and help for parents and caregivers of children with ADHD to help guide the family toward a productive and healthy life.
Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Stress on the job can be damaging to your health in that job stress is the outcome when job demands cannot be met.
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