Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Do you have ADHD and find yourself struggling to cope with the symptoms that make life much more difficult than it should be? Or, it could be that a family member has recently been diagnosed and recognise the symptoms in yourself?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that until recently has mainly been associated with children but over recent years there is an increasing number of adults being diagnosed with the condition.
If you are an adult with ADHD you will know there are many challenges associated with living with the condition. It typically impacts on executive functioning and emotional regulation both of which we rely on to navigate through every day life.
Executive disfunction can make everyday tasks feel challenging or unachievable such as; organising the home, managing finances, remembering appointments, sustaining relationships and employment, and focusing on studying. Difficulties carrying out these tasks can lead to chronic feelings of shame, guilt and frustration which can have a profound impact on your emotional wellbeing.
If you have ADHD you may find yourself to be super sensitive to criticism, and have a chronic fear of rejection. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is lesser known condition that is frequently associated with ADHD. There is only going research but currently RSD is not medically diagnosed condition. Other typical symptoms of RSD are to excessively worry about upsetting others which can result in perfectionism or people pleasing.
If this sounds like you you can reach out for help through counselling as the symptoms of RSD can be drastically controlled which will remove the stress and allow you to gain freedom from a life that is bound by the actions and responses of those around you resulting in a fulfilling life!
How Can Therapy Help Manage Symptoms of ADHD
Counselling and Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) can help you by increasing your self-esteem, or help you manage feelings such as guilt, shame or anger, or any other emotions that are associated with having the condition. It can be that when adults discover they have ADHD they feel frustrated, sad, confused or angry. Often these kind of emotions can be painful and as humans we try to move away from pain, which results in us often supressing emotions. However, suppressing emotions doesn’t work!
Therapy will provide a safe space to talk about how you are feeling and you can learn how to manage these difficult emotions.
It could be that you have created beliefs that you relate to being part of the condition. For instance these could be beliefs which developed in childhood as a result of being told your are; ‘not listening’, ‘fidgeting’ or are ‘a naughty child’. These beliefs can stay in the subconscious mind and have an impact into adulthood. RTT can get to the root of any outdated beliefs and install new healthy, positive beliefs. As well as working on the emotional impact of having ADHD, therapy can help with procrastination, people pleasing, relationship issues, organisational and planning skills.
The 3 Types of ADHD
- Fidgets with hands or objects
- Talk incessantly and excessively.
- Are severely impatient – squirming on sits or leaving their sits when everybody else remains sitting
- Act as though they are driven by motor because they are always on the go.
- Make hasty unplanned decisions like interrupting others and cutting on lines while oblivious to social cues because they act on impulse – are unable to wait their turn.
- They cannot participate in quiet activities.
- Are unable to delay gratification.
- Have a strong desire for immediate rewards
- Struggle to stay focused at work or at home
- Strain to pay attention to details and frequently makes careless mistakes
- Finds task organization difficult and always presents disorderly and untidy work after missing countless deadlines
- Gets easily distracted
- Finds following instructions, completing work, assignments, and other activities challenging.
- Develops inconsistencies in routine work and responsibilities because of forgetfulness – bills remain pending, calls never get returned, and most appointments pass without attendance.
- They avoid mentally tasking responsibilities like preparing reports or filing taxes.
- Always misplaces items needed to complete tasks.
- Struggle to pay attention when someone speaks to them directly
The adult with combined presentation ADHD exhibits both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsivity signs. The adult must have at least six symptoms of the disorder for six months to get a positive diagnosis.
What Causes ADHD?
Research has shown that there is a genetic link, as children with ADHD are more likely to have siblings or parents with ADHD.
Studies have suggested there are differences in the brains with people with ADHD and thoses without the condition. There have been studies that link ADHD to differences in neurotransmitter levels, and related brain functioning. Those with ADHD specifically show a deficit in neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
Complications during pregnancy such as low birth weight, the mother being exposed to lead or other toxins during pregnancy, and environment factors all contribute to a diagnosis of ADHD. ADHD can continue from childhood to adulthood, or symptoms can be triggered in adulthood by issues such as; medical conditions, head injury and excessive stress.