How to Treat ADHD in Adults

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. – Psalm 34:17 -20

When people hear about the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the picture that typically comes to mind is of a hyperactive or impulsive child that is having difficulty coping at school or behaving in various social environments.

It is a big challenge for both the child and the family as they struggle with the child’s excessive movements and outbursts. But come adulthood, it is estimated that nearly half of such children will grow out of it, especially if they were diagnosed with ADHD at an early stage.

What does NOT usually come to mind are the adults who were not able to outgrow their ADHD problems as children, particularly those who were never diagnosed with ADHD when growing up. Because of this, there are an estimated 5% of adults in the US who continue to struggle in life as they cannot seem to take control of their symptoms.

The Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

Unlike in children, the symptoms of adult ADHD are trickier to diagnose. This is because it is easy to pass off such symptoms as problems that “regular people” may also have. Another concern is the adult’s mental health as he or she has struggled for years trying to gain acceptance from people around them, unaware that this difficulty stems from the ADHD that they have had since childhood.

Aside from emotional outbursts, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, adults with ADHD may also have problems with the following:

• Concentrating on tasks
• Finishing work on time
• Following directions
• Organizing things
• Remembering important information

Because of these, adults with ADHD may also suffer from:

• Anger issues
• Anxiety
• Chronic boredom
• Depression
• Lack of motivation
• Low self-esteem
• Mood swings
• Relationship problems
• Substance abuse

Negative Patterns Shaped since Childhood

If not addressed early on, the negative patterns from childhood ADHD tend to repeat themselves in adults. In school, many such children were probably labeled as “underachievers” as they struggled with subjects and probably repeated a grade or two.

Even if they did not drop out, they may have regularly gotten into trouble over emotional outbursts (particularly anger concerns), tardiness, or truancy, and may also have dabbled in alcohol or drug usage, choosing to rebel rather than to conform to accepted norms.

As adults, similar patterns often occur due to continuing problems adjusting to what society expects. The inability to concentrate, remember, and finish tasks properly may either lead to difficulty holding a job or acquiring a good paying job sufficient for their needs.

These, in turn, aggravate mood swings and their possible dependencies (e.g. alcohol or drugs). Since there are more expectations placed on adults, relationship problems can become more pronounced, resulting in broken friendships, bridges burned at work, and even multiple divorces and marriages. The inability to focus can also cause accidents at home or on the road.

The Importance of Outside Help

The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated… it is finished when it surrenders. – Ben Stein

Our society demands a semblance of order so that everyone may function well, but conflict occurs when boundaries are crossed. Sadly, this is a hardship for those who suffer from ADHD since their impulsiveness and seeming lack of control naturally leads them to behave in ways that others may resent.

Treatment should be sought in order to avoid the more serious consequences. As a mental health disorder, the skillful guidance of a therapist can help the sufferer understand their circumstances, allowing them to view their lives more positively.

The therapist will also help the ADHD adult sufferer to better organize their life through tasks and other coping mechanisms. The end goal is for the sufferer to realize that they can control this disorder if they can just take things step by step and learn to avoid the negative behaviors and attitudes they may have developed over the years.

Modifying Behavior in a Safe Environment

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have. – Norman Vincent Peale

Behavior modification is a key goal for ADHD therapy. Since the person has difficulty controlling their emotional responses, the therapist aims to correct this through different coping strategies, especially in situations that are considered highly stressful for the sufferer.

A good therapist is also able to focus on the specific problems that the sufferer is struggling with. These may include goal setting practice, organization of things, prioritization, and techniques for better and longer concentration.

For those dealing with extreme hyperactivity issues, they may include strategies for sitting still when needed and an introduction to activities to help lessen excessive energy.

Social skills can also be tackled, especially for those who have isolated themselves because of their disorder. These are all done in a safe and professional setting so that the person can practice them, knowing that all is kept confidential and that everything is done specifically for their needs.

For those who have been given medication for their disorder therapy sessions are still very important. While medication may help with impulsivity and difficulty in focusing, it does not automatically give them the life skills that ADHD has prevented them from learning.

Retraining the Brain

It is not what happens to you that determines how far you go in life; it is what you do with what happens to you. – Zig Ziglar

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aims to change negative thinking into positive thinking. This is very important since an adult with ADHD has probably been dealing with years of unhealthy thoughts about themselves and society around them.

CBT rewires the thinking so that not everything has to be “perfect”. When this is achieved, then minor mistakes will not be so magnified in the mind of the sufferer, allowing them to continue on with their tasks rather than giving up.

Sufferers are also trained not to overgeneralize situations (e.g. – they always forget their keys, they always mess up when organizing important things) so that they can come to understand that these may all be overcome. The new positive ways of thinking allow them to take on bigger challenges as well – something that they may have stopped doing due to failures in the past.

CBT also aims to stop comparative thinking where the sufferer is always comparing themselves to others, which is generally unhealthy in any person – ADHD sufferer or not.

Benefits of Talk Therapy

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Talk therapy is used to unlock the reasons behind the anxiety or depression the person may be undergoing due to their struggles with ADHD. Without this, it will be difficult to modify behavior or rewire thinking. In the discussions, family relationships may be brought up as well as past, present and future dreams and fears. Overall, such discussions aim to alleviate emotional and spiritual burdens.

Family therapy may also be included since the spouse or children may also be undergoing stress related to their loved one’s disorder. Part of the sessions may include coping skills during outbursts as well as ways to support their loved one as they struggle with the disorder. Strong family support is important in overcoming ADHD.

Overcoming Low Self-Esteem

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Most adults with ADHD have probably experienced years of emotional issues stemming from their condition. Being branded as “stupid”, “slow”, “lazy” or “weird” while growing up can destroy a person’s sense of self-worth. Many have probably also endured countless setbacks in life such as failed relationships or slow and disappointing progress in their careers.

Therapy is essential in tackling such ideas so that there can be emotional and mental healing. If this can be done, their distorted self-image may be changed, allowing them to view life with hope and promise.

In addition, the sufferer will be asked to come to terms with their condition since it will be with them for the rest of their lives. With proper management and support, however, they may also come to understand that this disorder should not hold them back from achieving a fulfilling life.

Christian ADHD Therapy

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

For ADHD sufferers who would like to obtain spiritual healing and strengthen their inner resolve, a Christian therapist may help by combining therapy with Biblical truths. Scripture-based lessons may help such adults fully achieve the spiritual peace they have been missing all these years.

Many ADHD sufferers who have undergone such therapy have discovered that their disconnection with God had intensely aggravated their situation since there was no one they could turn to in their hours of doubt and despair. Repairing that relationship is critical since ADHD is a lifetime condition, albeit one that can be overcome with God’s help.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ADHD or you suspect that you or a friend may have ADHD, then it is important to contact a Christian therapist San Diego who can provide the support needed to overcome this disorder. It is not too late to turn things around with God’s help.

For nothing will be impossible with God. – Luke 1:37