By Celeste Wolf
Introduction
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that largely affects children in comparison to other disorders. Symptoms such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention occur in rapid and chronic fashion, causing difficulty for individuals to focus and stay on task (Furman, 2005). Due to the debilitating nature of ADHD, it is important to understand the impact this condition can have on an individual’s daily life and relationships. Aspects like daily functioning, academic achievements, professional development, and interpersonal relationships are impacted (Harpin, 2005).
ADHD Symptoms and Their Effects
Inattention presents itself in individuals with ADHD through challenges with staying on task, organizing, and focusing. Behavior of such includes seemingly not listening or acknowledging a speaker when being spoken to, easily distracted, difficulty finishing tasks after starting them, forgetfulness regarding daily tasks and chores, inability to organize tasks and work, and more (APA).
Hyperactivity presents itself through excessive physical movement such as being overly talkative, fidgeting, boundless energy, and not sitting still. Behavior of such includes not being able to stay seated for prolonged periods of time at a classroom or work desk, constant fidgeting with hands or feet (tapping or squirming in seat), inability to quietly leisure, and more (APA). Impulsivity is the action of acting upon a sudden decision or action without fully processing the potential consequences beforehand. For example, this behavior presents itself through the habit of interrupting or intruding on other conversations, activities and games, or even by using others' belongings without asking first (APA).
Impact on Daily Life
ADHD can create challenges with organizational skills since it alters the brain’s ability to retain information crucial for planning out and executing tasks. Deficiencies in executive functioning suggests that motivation and an immediate sense of reward could improve organizational performance (Sissons, 2024). Using external reminders like phone alarms, calendars, sticky notes, and apps could reinforce the importance and existence of a task. As for the sense of reward aspect, creating a sense of competitive nature to completing a task may fulfill satisfaction and motivation. In other words, those with ADHD may find it easier to hyper focus on a task if satisfaction is waiting at the completion stage. The reward can come in the form of taking a break or doing an activity that they enjoy. These strategies for enhancing concentration and productivity may also come in the form of ensuring the work space is clean and organized by avoiding clutter that could pose as potential distractions (Sissons, 2024). Working towards such skills and strategies will in turn improve professional performance as well as personal development. Establishing a clear focus and setting realistic methods for achievement is crucial and can be adopted with practice and understanding.
Impact on Relationships
As mentioned earlier, ADHD can affect an individual’s communication skills in relation to impulsivity. Interruption and input regulation can be a struggle as ADHD compels an individual to speak their mind before they forget it, causing potential misunderstanding on the other party’s side (Nadeau). Since there is no time left for a more detailed and specific articulation before the impulse to speak activates, the meaning or intent of the message can translate poorly. It’s important to implement techniques like taking pauses and breathing to slow down thoughts and spoken words.
Allowing these pauses will not only help emotional regulation, but also allow time for listening and taking in the other participant in the conversation. Emotional dysregulation is detrimental to healthy and productive conversations. In order to fully understand the context, topic, and sides of the discussion, both parties must be organized and oriented with their thoughts in order to effectively present and respond to them. Thus, those with ADHD may ask their counterpart to paraphrase what they just said to ensure the message was understood in a correct way. Another technique includes physically writing down thoughts and feelings in advance to both practice organization and effective communication. To build and maintain a healthy relationship requires a foundation of understanding and communication.
Expert Insights and Strategies
Some therapeutic approaches to managing ADHD in daily life include maintaining and prioritizing organization both professionally and personally. While working on a specific task, intervening secondary thoughts and ideas may pop up. Instead of treating those thoughts as a distraction from primary work, write them down to assess later and continue to focus on the work already being carried forward (Godman, 2021). Reframing those thoughts as ones to be assessed of at a later time rather than ones to act as a distraction is related to a cognitive behavioral technique. For impulsivity, relaxation exercises and techniques can be useful for management. Visualizing the consequences of an action or decision before committing to it will provide a wider insight to the impact as well as help avoid unnecessary stress when ultimately trying to reverse or solve it. Taking time in between tasks to reflect and regroup thoughts can also be beneficial in time management and prioritizing tasks (Brognano, 2024).
Relationship counseling for ADHD may be helpful when the symptoms cause tension, misunderstandings, conflict, and disregard in the relationship. Since ADHD has been known to contribute to impulsive remarks, criticism, and insults, it’s important for a counselor to establish communication exercises and techniques to ensure each side of the relationship is able to effectively and empathetically communicate their thoughts and emotions. Fostering better understanding may include active listening, which is the act of actually taking in, considering, and responding to the situation in a mindful manner. Setting clear boundaries and having regular check-ins with one another will also maintain the progress of communication improvement (Ware, 2023).
Success Stories and Case Studies
Like all mental disorders, ADHD does not define an individual. There are a plethora of successful and healthy people who have been diagnosed with ADHD and still thrive with techniques and strategies to manage their symptoms. One example is executive coach and author, Susan Baroncini-Moe.
Diagnosed with ADHD in her late 30s, Susan was able to put reasoning behind her forgetfulness and difficulty with completing tasks (Bailey, 2024). She utilized this understanding to improve and develop into the best possible version of herself. In a quote, she says, “I’m always looking for new strategies, new ways of improving myself or optimizing my life”. Susan has used her diagnosis as a valuable tool to better understand how she operates, which in turn allows for even more effective growth both professionally and personally. Anya Lukianov, a therapist, states that “seeing a psychiatrist only for medication is beneficial, however, also seeing a therapist is highly recommended to manage all biological, psychological and social aspects of having ADHD” (2020). Medications are responsible for regulating the naturally low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in a brain with ADHD. However, therapeutic services will implement practices and habits that will ensure an overall management and control over the disorder.
Conclusion
In summary, ADHD is a mental disorder that can cause challenges with focus, attention, organization, and communication. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity professionally and personally, within interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Management includes improvement on organization and communication with medication prescribed by a psychiatrist as well as therapeutic practices by a psychologist, either through individual or relationship counseling. ADHD is a manageable disorder and with the right tools, individuals can thrive and develop successfully and happily
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