Module 15 – Key Points to Consider Regarding ADHD
Estimated Time: 20 minutes
In this module, you will learn:
· How ADHD affects the individual
· How to help people with ADHD
· How people with ADHD can help themselves
· Where to get further help
Key Points to Consider Regarding ADHD – 6m28s
15.1 How ADHD Affects the Individual
In this final module, we revise the key points of dealing with ADHD.
There is no doubt that this condition can be managed effectively for the absolute vast majority of people, although a good awareness and understanding of the condition do help.
We can begin by offering a recap on the most important key points regarding ADHD and the way in which it affects the individual.
If you recall, there are three different types of ADHD – with some individuals experiencing the inattentive side of things, some experiencing the hyperactive and impulsive side of things and finally, those individuals that experience both of them combined.
Each type is just as challenging as the others for the individual with ADHD, and it’s worth learning more about each type to better understand what the person is going through. Regardless of the type, you also need to keep the following points in mind when trying to come to terms with the condition and developing your understanding of ADHD.
It leads to reactions or actions that are uncontrollable for the individual
This is an important point to make at the outset because the vast majority of the reactions of the individual with ADHD are out of their control. This is largely down to factors such as emotional dysregulation and poor impulse control, and understanding this is crucial. Without this knowledge it would be easy to judge the person with ADHD too harshly; however, having a better understanding of the condition makes it easier to view the individual’s actions with more compassion.
It affects the individual from an early age and potentially into adulthood
ADHD is a condition that begins to reveal itself in early childhood, but it can continue to cause a problem for the individual even when they move into adulthood. This is one point that often surprises people, as there is a mistaken belief that it is merely an issue that affects children. However, this is simply not true. ADHD symptoms can change when moving into adulthood – for example, the hyperactivity aspect often decreases – but they still have a significant impact on the person’s life.
It does make it sound as if ADHD is rather disabling and, to a certain extent, that is the case, if it is left untreated. That is the reason why severe ADHD is classed as a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act. (Under the Equality Act 2010, an employee with ADHD may be considered to have a disability if their condition has a ‘substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities’). If an employer is aware of an employee’s ADHD, he or she is obliged to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
It makes it difficult for people to concentrate
This is one point that is often overlooked by those who have a relatively poor understanding of the condition. There is a belief that ADHD means that a person is too full of energy and is constantly on the go and that this is why they can’t complete tasks. However, that is not entirely true, as concentration and focus can be very challenging for someone with ADHD. This is one reason why children with the condition often struggle at school.
More problems are faced than most people are aware of
The individual with the condition is going through absolute turmoil from start to finish and it is not simply a case of them acting out or avoiding boring tasks. It is a condition that causes them extreme agitation, irritation and embarrassment – and the list of ways in which it significantly affects the individual is extensive. ADHD has been linked to an increase in the use of harmful substances in teenage years and adulthood, an increase in car accidents, poor academic achievement, and difficulty holding down jobs and maintaining close relationships. The problems faced by people with ADHD should never be underestimated or downplayed.
People will often feel alienated
Due to the effects of ADHD, individuals may feel alienated. They have difficulty creating friendships and building normal social relationships. They may get into trouble at school or at work, as they can be erratic or troublesome in the way they express themselves; the pressures of managing themselves and their workload, and concentrating for a full day of work may be too much for them. This may lead to difficulties in the workplace and in social settings. Finally, the feeling that they are misunderstood can also lead to feelings of alienation.
Co-occurring conditions
The individual with ADHD may experience depression and anxiety at various points in their life. Furthermore, a number of people with ADHD also develop certain personality disorders, which will also have a major impact on their lives. It is therefore imperative that the individual with the condition receives the correct type of help, including additional assistance for the other issues that may be of concern.
ADHD may affect the life of the individual with the condition in a number of ways. Without a diagnosis the individual with ADHD may generally struggle in life, unaware of what is behind their actions or why they feel a certain way. However, help is at hand, if it is dealt with in the correct manner.
15.2 How to Help People with ADHD
But how about the key points for those individuals who are helping people with ADHD?
This is just as important, especially when you consider that there are so many ways in which the individual with the condition can be helped – and we are not just talking about at home. Instead, we are including school, social settings and work life, as those are the areas in which the individual with the condition will really struggle from time to time.
The important thing to remember is that you can support the person with ADHD, but you must also be guided by them. Having an awareness of ADHD does not mean that you are qualified to give life-changing advice.
We have covered a number of important points throughout the course, but the primary points to keep in mind are as follows:
Pay attention to your own reaction
It is important that you watch your own reaction, as this will have a profound impact on the way in which the individual with ADHD will react. Be calm and assertive – but work with the person – and also keep in mind that you can be a good role model with your own behaviour, but, at the same time, the complete opposite is also going to be true.
Remember to give them some power and options
One thing that will upset individuals with ADHD is when you are trying to take over the situation and refuse to provide them with the ability to make their own decisions. This scenario is unlikely to appeal to children who are effectively dealing with their ADHD, or with many adults. However, we have discussed methods whereby you can still guide people who are struggling and suggest what is best for them, but can provide them with a choice, by giving two options where either of them will provide a positive experience. This simple method will make the individual feel in control – and it will also simultaneously help to boost their self-esteem. This kind of approach will not be suitable for everyone.
Understand the condition
This is something that has been repeated several times, but it is imperative for the condition to be understood, including the symptoms people might experience, to then provide the person with the opportunity to make progress. A lack of understanding leads to poor judgement and decision-making when it comes to what to do next and this, in turn, will lead to an increase in stress, irritation and agitation and will inevitably push the individual backwards in terms of progress.
Seek help for yourself
We are not talking about you being a carer, as that is something completely different. However, what we are discussing is the need for you to seek help for yourself, in order to really deal with the variety of situations that you will generally need to approach. This is not something that you have to tackle alone, as it will only increase your own stress levels and put pressure on you – and this will often slide over and start to have an impact on the life of the person with ADHD.
Be organised
Even though it may appear that dealing with ADHD will be erratic, the truth is actually completely different. Instead, if you are organised in your approach to the condition and the plans that you have put into place in order to help the individual, life will become a lot easier. Organisation is key – without it, you will experience chaos – and, as we have seen throughout the modules, chaos is a bad thing for people who have ADHD.
Seek help from your professional body
This point applies mainly to teachers, but you should seek help from those within your profession, so you are in a better place than before for identifying the problem and knowing how to correctly handle the different situations that will occur. Ask your colleagues for specific guidance and put that guidance into action, as it will not only help the individual but will also help you to move forward as well.
You may find some other more personal and individual ways of dealing with ADHD – and how you go about this is entirely up to you. The most important thing is for you to understand that you have to look at your own self – and the way you tackle things has to be in a way that benefits the individual with ADHD.
15.3 How People With ADHD Can Help Themselves
When you consider all of the important points above, it does make you start to question how you need to develop your approach and understanding of the condition.
ADHD is not something that is insurmountable and, indeed, so many people not only cope with the condition but go on to have very successful lives.
Get to grips with your condition
This has to be the first point for you to tackle because you need to understand your ADHD and how it affects you if there is to be any way for you to move forward with improving your condition, or the way that you deal with it. When you are in a position to fully understand what is going on, it is possible to counteract some of the more negative aspects of ADHD. However, this can only be done when you do, indeed, understand things – and learn from the things that can trigger certain behaviours and reactions, so you can then seek to avoid them.
Get treatment – and stick with it
Another important aspect is to seek the correct treatment, and then continue with it – even if you are at the point where you feel well and that there is no need to continue to take that medication, or go to that therapy session. This is a condition that can be more effectively managed long-term with guidance and ongoing treatment by medical professionals.
Realise that you are not alone
Considering the way in which the individual with ADHD can feel alienated in life, it is no surprise that it is common for them to feel as if they are the only people to have the condition and that nobody else understands them. This is not the case and if you are the person with the condition, you have to realise that you are certainly not alone. This means that you are able to get support from others with the condition and to learn from the way in which they deal with certain situations and issues in order to make progress in life. There are organisations and charities that can provide help and advice.
Identify those areas that cause an issue
This is something that would be difficult for a child to do, but a parent can try to spend time identifying those areas that are seen to be causing specific difficulties for the individual in question. By identifying these areas, it means that a plan can be put into place, which will decrease the effect that it has on the person and provide them with a better sense of control. This feeling of not being in control of their actions, thoughts, or what is going on around them, is one of the most difficult things for the individual to deal with.
Accept that there will be mistakes and learn from them
How you deal with mistakes – and then learn from them – can really shape the way in which you approach the entire condition. Irritation and frustration are two areas that can cause individuals with ADHD a great deal of anguish and pain. This is often the result of realising that they are unable to deal with a certain situation, so coming to terms with the fact that mistakes are a possibility, and must be accepted, can certainly be liberating for someone with ADHD who may be suffering from stress or embarrassment.
Self-help tips for adults with ADHD
ADHD can create challenges across all areas of life including work, family and social demands. The condition can often be tough on your health (due to stress) as well as on your personal and professional relationships. In addition to your personal problems, you may often feel that your loved ones don’t really understand what you’re up against. The good news is, you can improve your daily habits, learn to use your strengths, organise yourself better and interact with family and friends without struggling.
The following self-help strategies can be successful with patience, practice and, above all, by having a positive attitude:
- Create space and designate areas to store keys, paper clips and other clutter
- Use lists, daily planners and calendars to your advantage – you need not hold things in your head
- Establish a paperwork system that works for you
- Plan for more time than you think you’ll need
- Do things one at a time even if you have a longer list
- Learn to say ‘no’ to excessive work that can leave you feeling overwhelmed (people with ADHD may be tempted to take on too much due to their impulsivity)
- Use online banking which will send you reminders to pay bills
- Make time to exercise, play a sport, walk or go to the gym
Living with ADHD does not have to be a ‘life sentence’. You only have to look at our module on the success stories of various individuals with the condition, to see what the possibilities are. It is more a case of understanding your situation and condition – and then seeking to work to your own strengths, rather than continue to solely fight against the weaknesses.
15.4 Where to Get Further Help
Finally, we need to discuss where to get further help, whether you have ADHD or whether you are supporting someone who has it.
This condition can be very difficult to deal with, directly or indirectly, so it is important to seek help.
There are a number of places where an individual with ADHD, or those that spend time with an individual with the condition, are able to get help. First, it is important that the individual is taken to see a GP, in order to then be referred to the correct specialist. For a child, this will be a paediatrician or a child psychologist/psychiatrist. For an adult, a psychiatrist can be seen in order to get a diagnosis and allow the correct treatment to begin. According to The European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP), psychoeducation is the first step in receiving treatment. This involves the individual and their family being informed about ADHD by specialists and extending the involvement of teachers and other relevant people if the individual is a child.
Aside from a doctor and specialist, another key place where you can get help is by searching for a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT specialist) who has specific knowledge of working with people who have ADHD. CBT has been shown time and time again to be extremely effective at helping this condition – and it is even more effective when it is combined with the correct medication.
In addition, you should be able to find support groups in your area and indeed, the specialist that you see will often be able to help you find one. These groups can help not only the individual with the condition but also those who support the person with ADHD. They can be extremely helpful, with various tips and aids available to just make things that little bit easier.
The main point being made here is that there is no need for an individual with ADHD to feel alone. There are various options available, if you only know where to look – and depending on how it affects you. The most important thing is to first receive the correct diagnosis, which means determining the type of ADHD – and then seek the correct medical help. This will provide opportunities for further therapy and ensure that the individual has a chance to lead a normal life, rather than the life that is often apparently ‘predetermined’ for an individual with the condition – a future with difficulties and issues.
The key is to remember that help is available and if you are, indeed, supporting an individual with ADHD, you must ensure that they are aware of this, as it can be a rather alienating disorder to contend with.
These modules have been designed to provide a better insight into the condition and also to suggest options for the future. However, we have also stressed throughout the course that there is a need to seek professional help and receive the correct treatment, whether this is for yourself or for somebody you know.
SUMMARY
In this module, we have looked at recapping some of the most important points regarding ADHD and how to cope with the condition, either as an individual who has it or from the point of view of someone supporting the individual who has a diagnosis.
The points covered here are designed to encourage you to go back over the previous modules in order to look at them in more detail.
Remember, ADHD can be effectively managed and it is just a case of educating yourself on the condition and being aware of what you can do to decrease the symptoms.
Treatment with medication and therapy has been shown to be a major success when it comes to alleviating ADHD symptoms.
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