ADHD In Adulthood: Effective Strategies For Managing Severe ADHD Symptoms
Each of us might occasionally feel unable to focus, have some slight impatience, or make the odd careless mistake. After all, we’re all human.
However, where do we turn when these characteristics become so severe they interfere with our daily productivity, overall mental health, and quality of life? What does it mean when your inability to focus or exercise patience also correlates or coincides with sleep disorders, mood swings, and impulsive behavior? You might be an adult living with untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, more commonly referred to as ADHD.
This article aims to define ADHD and the symptoms for which one should be on the lookout. This article will also explore potentially effective strategies for managing severe ADHD in adults. If you are experiencing symptoms of severe untreated ADHD in adulthood, it may be really helpful to secure a diagnosis and start your path to receiving available support.
Examining severe ADHD
ADHD is mentioned frequently nowadays, but many might not fully grasp its severity. ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; those living with the condition might experience mood swings, symptoms of mood disorders, and a host of other negative effects that can severely impact day-to-day life.
ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in childhood. Additionally, this condition is often associated with another childhood mood disorder known as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), more simply explained as an aversion to following rules and authority figures.
Underdiagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults
Since the symptoms of ADHD and ODD are typically recognized in childhood, many equate behaviors like hyperactivity or inability to focus to “just being a kid.” Due to this and other stigma, adults with ADHD may hold the false belief that their symptoms are not genuine or “enough,” or they can’t change their behaviors, leading to the underdiagnosis of ADHD in adults.
While it is normal on some level to not always feel up to the task of performing our daily responsibilities or answering to our workplace superiors, adults with ADHD often find themselves unable to successfully integrate into the workplace and hold down successful jobs.
Severe ADHD symptoms are hard to spot
ADHD can sometimes be difficult to spot and pinpoint due to the wide range of severity levels in its symptoms. Some ADHD symptoms can be mild, while some border on debilitating and severely impact our ability to form relationships and thrive in our lives.
Impulsivity, inattention to detail, and other symptoms of severe ADHD
Those with six or more of the following symptoms present might be experiencing severe ADHD.
- Frequent carelessness and inattention to detail
- Memory issues including poor short-term memory retention
- Poor organizational skills
- Difficulty waiting
- Restlessness and edginess
- Impulsive and risky behavior
- Experiencing various disorders that are commonly linked with ADHD, such as sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or oppositional defiant disorder
- For severe cases of ADHD, you might find yourself unable to hold down a job or form relationships because of your symptoms
This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms; there may be more factors to consider during the diagnosis process. Examining the difficulties in life experienced by those going through untreated adult ADHD makes it clear just how important it is to secure a diagnosis and explore coping strategies.
Exploring effective coping strategies for adult ADHD
If you are experiencing adult ADHD, do not suffer in silence; remember that you are not alone in this fight. There are coping strategies at your disposal that can help mitigate the unwanted detrimental effects of ADHD.
Some methods for effective coping strategies may include:
- Organizational tools, like a calendar or planner and phone reminder alarms, can help those with ADHD add some organization to their lives.
- Try and increase focus by limiting the number of distractions around you.
- Consider joining a support group for those experiencing ADHD. This way you can share unique coping strategies with others and have a group of people to whom you can vent who can understand your experience.
- Consider looking into an ADHD coach who can help those with ADHD structure their lives in a more successful and productive fashion.
- If you struggle with impulsivity, start adopting the “24 hour rule.” When you feel the urge to impulsively spend money or gamble, give yourself 24 hours to make a decision. Chances are, your impulsive urge might have subsided. If not, give yourself 24 more hours.
Legitimate diagnosis and proper medication or treatment
It is important to keep in mind that some with severe cases of ADHD might not be able to make changes in behavior and ways of thinking on their own without outside help. This highlights the value of finding a legitimate diagnosis and seeking help.
Benefits of online therapy for severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
One common hallmark of ADHD is a difficulty adhering to deadlines and maintaining a healthy and productive schedule. Those with ADHD might book a doctor’s appointment and completely forget about it, or they might have trouble showing up on time or getting up early enough to make the appointment even if they wanted to. It can be frustrating and discouraging when trying to find help while navigating symptoms that interfere with successful follow through.
There is a great resource those with severe ADHD might find beneficial. Connecting with a licensed mental health professional through online therapy can provide those with ADHD the flexibility and convenience they may need to enter a productive relationship with a therapist. Online therapy can often be more flexible related to scheduling appointments, which may make it easier to meet with your counselor.
The effectiveness of online therapy
Online therapy for ADHD has been proven as an effective treatment method. During a 2022 review of scientific literature on the topic, researchers found that online therapeutic interventions for the condition improved the quality of life for patients and were on par with, and in some cases exceeding, traditional face-to-face ADHD treatment. Exploring behavioral therapy methods with an online therapist can help us isolate our unproductive behaviors and thought patterns and change our way of life for the better.
Takeaway
How do you deal with severe ADHD?
Severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (formerly called attention-deficit disorder) can often be treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Some medications and therapeutic modalities may improve concentration, reduce impulsivity, relieve sleep problems, and help people navigate challenging environmental factors.
Can someone with severe symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder live a normal life?
A person living with severe ADHD can receive treatment that may help relieve many symptoms and allow them to function well in daily life, both at home and at school.
Is there a severity scale for ADHD?
ADHD severity may be measured by a scale such as the Child Behavior Checklist, which is for children aged 6 to 18. Children younger than this may have symptoms evaluated by a specialist who has experience treating disorders in early childhood. Adults might be assessed with the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptom Assessment Scale (BADDS) for Adults. A self-assessment typically isn’t enough for diagnosis. A healthcare provider or therapist typically needs to conduct an assessment to determine if a person has severe ADHD or minor impairment in daily functioning.
What are the levels of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association, lists the following levels of severity for this developmental disorder:
“Mild: Few, if any, symptoms in excess of those required to make the diagnosis are present, and symptoms result in no more than minor impairments in social or occupational functioning.
Moderate: Symptoms or functional impairment between “mild” and “severe” are present.
Severe: Many symptoms in excess of those required to make the diagnosis, or several symptoms that are particularly severe, are present, or the symptoms result in marked impairment in social or occupational functioning.”
Can medication and therapy treat severe forms of ADHD?
Medication and therapy may people who feel easily distracted. Many adults living with severe ADHD may experience relationship challenges, difficulty concentrating, and challenges with executive functioning. Some children living with ADHD may also experience challenges with attention, while other children may experience more impulsivity. A treatment plan involving medication and therapy may help with many aspects of ADHD, as well as anxiety disorders, which can co-occur with ADHD. If symptoms continue to affect a person’s life at school or work, those with severe ADHD may benefit from asking for reasonable accommodations.
Can you be impulsive with inattentive ADHD?
A person with inattentive ADHD typically doesn’t experience impulsivity. However, in some people, inattention and impulsivity can co-exist in a combined form of ADHD. Mental healthcare professionals can assess the symptoms present and determine what type of ADHD a person may be experiencing.
What is the best medication for impulsivity and inattention in ADHD?
The best treatment plan for people who have difficulty paying attention may be a stimulant. However, stimulants can lead to substance use disorder (formerly called substance abuse) in some people. In other cases, individuals may be prescribed non-stimulants, such as alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, which some people may refer to as alpha agonists. The right medication may depend on a person’s age and their specific symptoms.
What is considered severe ADHD?
With severe ADHD, a person’s symptoms may lead to significant functional impairment at work or school. This disorder may be compounded by comorbid disorders and mental health conditions, such as Tourette Syndrome. Some people with childhood ADHD may also have comorbid conduct disorder.
What does severe ADHD feel like?
Some individuals with severe ADHD may experience strong hyperactive/impulsive tendencies and engage in excessive activity. Others may feel like they have trouble keeping things in their working memory despite sustained mental effort.
What do ADHD people struggle with?
People living with ADHD may experience inattentive symptoms and/or hyperactivity during everyday life. A person who makes careless mistakes on tasks at work or school may experience frustration, and many children and adults may experience comorbid learning disabilities.
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