ADHD is commonly thought of as a children’s disorder, but tens of millions of adults worldwide are also afflicted with ADHD. Adult ADHD is a balancing act that lasts a lifetime, which can result in financial difficulties, relationship difficulties, and career failure, emotional distress, and even depression. Adults who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to develop other psychiatric disorders, it is estimated that about 50% of adults with ADHD suffer from an anxiety disorder as well.

The symptoms of ADHD combined with an anxiety disorder can be devastating and can significantly impair the ability to function. Marriages and relationships with others can be the most difficult to manage as the loved ones of the person suffering from ADHD might not completely understand or even believe that something is wrong with them. For a long time, ADHD was not taken seriously so many adults today went with ADHD undiagnosed.

Everyday life impaired but not beyond repair.

The feeling of being an adult living with ADHD could be described as having 50 of your most loved and hated bands playing at the same time with the inability to turn them off.  Unfortunately most never seek out treatment or medication for their disorder and end up suffering.  Many adults struggle with issues such as:

• Inability to manage time
• Difficulty with planning
• Forgetfulness
• Inability to organise
• Impulsiveness
• Inconsistency

Getting an ADHD assessment is crucial

To get properly diagnosed, this needs to be done by a ADHD expert psychiatrist, who will take consideration of your ADHD, such as distractability/impulsivness, as well as any previous psychiatric history. They will also look at how the ADHD symptoms affect your life and level of functioning.

Treatment for Adult ADHD

ADHD medication is the foundation of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Research has shown that certain medications can improve the symptoms of ADHD, giving people the ability to concentrate and pay attention. Many people also benefit from ADHD coaching, the benefits of attaining an ADHD coach are:

• Ability to reduce procrastination
• Support decision making
• Learn how to prioritise
• Manage impulsivity
• Improve time management
• Improve self-confidence
• Improve social skills
• Reduce stress and control worry
• Create a plan for success

Anxiety and mood disorders

Anxiety and mood disorders are very commonplace for those as a result of living with ADHD.  Your expert psychiatrist will look at the overall picture and assess and formulate a plan of action utilising the best treatment options that are available. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) combined with ADHD medication is a powerful treatment against comorbid anxiety.

Remember if you or someone you know suffers from adult ADHD do seek out a specialist psychiatrist. Living with ADHD does not need to hold you back from flourishing in life.