Beyond Medication: Awesome Benefits of Therapy for ADHD
Living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and interested in going beyond medication in your treatment? Therapy is also an effective method for managing ADHD symptoms. This post will explore common symptoms of ADHD, critical considerations for adults with ADHD, and effective therapy methods for ADHD.
About ADHD
ADHD is a very common condition; it affects about 10.5% of children and 6% of adults in the United States. ADHD manifests differently in everyone and exists on a spectrum of severity. ADHD is often genetic, showing a much stronger hereditary link than anxiety or depression. While ADHD can significantly impact people, it is also highly treatable through various interventions.
Symptoms of ADHD
While not all ADHD symptoms impair functioning, ADHD frequently presents significant challenges. ADHD is defined by three main behavioral symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People can be diagnosed with three different types of ADHD, depending on which symptoms are predominant for them: inattentive ADHD (formerly known as ADD), hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, or combination ADHD, which combines features from the other types.
In practice, inattention refers to trouble concentrating or focusing on tasks. People with inattentive ADHD can struggle with tasks of daily life, such as reading and writing, because of getting sidetracked. Hyperactivity often manifests as excessive talking or fidgeting and can make it difficult to remain stationary or stay on task. Impulsivity involves speaking or acting without forethought. People with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD might struggle with interrupting others or taking risks, or may have trouble finishing tasks that do not engage them, which can have consequences at work and in relationships. Other common issues in ADHD include low self-confidence, difficulty with organization, poor emotional regulation, and sleep problems.
While ADHD is challenging, those with the condition can also experience some of the unique benefits of ADHD. People with ADHD have heightened creativity and a greater ability to think outside the box. Moreover, the hyper-focus associated with ADHD, while causing difficulties switching tasks, can promote productivity in tasks the person is highly interested in. People with ADHD also cite personal strengths related to ADHD, such as energy, resilience, bravery, and a positive attitude.
ADHD in Adults
ADHD is frequently overlooked in adults because ADHD symptoms can be mistaken for or appear alongside other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In fact, 25 to 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder, and 19 to 53% of adults with ADHD have depression. However, these other diagnoses can actually result from the difficulty of living with ADHD. Without proper identification of ADHD as the underlying condition, adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of anxiety and depression, substance use, and difficulties in their social life and work.
Although ADHD symptoms must be present in childhood for a diagnosis, some adults may have experienced milder or less disruptive symptoms when they were younger, often dismissed as “just being a child,” and encounter more pronounced difficulties later in life. As adult responsibilities increase, such as taking on a promotion that requires higher levels of executive functioning, underlying ADHD-related challenges may become more apparent.
The types of ADHD symptoms someone experiences can also change over time. Hyperactivity and impulsivity decrease with age in many cases, but inattention does not. In fact, people with inattention are the most likely to experience delays in diagnosis, since they may previously have been able to use strategies to compensate for inattention.
Therapy for ADHD
Medication is a common and effective treatment for ADHD in adults. However, not everyone improves through medication alone. Therefore, therapy can also be useful in helping people manage ADHD symptoms. Moreover, therapy can have benefits over medication, such as fewer side effects and better long-term results, as well as not requiring sustained adherence to a medication.
There are some well-studied types of therapy for treating ADHD. Therapy for ADHD can take place in both individual therapy and group therapy settings.
CBT for ADHD
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that focuses on changing thought and behavioral patterns that contribute to psychological distress. For example, if thought patterns are reinforcing low self-esteem, CBT can help shift those patterns. This type of therapy is great for people who like to have concrete goals and records of their progress. CBT for ADHD might involve helping people with goal attainment, social skills, coping strategies, avoidance of distractions, motivation, and more. Finding a therapist to provide CBT for ADHD can lead to improved performance at work, in social interactions, and with organization.
Mindfulness-based therapy for ADHD
Mindfulness-based therapy centers on acceptance, awareness of the present moment, and self-compassion, which people develop through meditation and other mindfulness practices. Mindfulness-based therapy can help treat symptoms of ADHD. It’s a common misconception that meditation is too hard for people with ADHD, who might have trouble sitting still or focusing on tasks. However, it is precisely the attention required in meditation that makes it useful for ADHD. Moreover, mindfulness-based practices are flexible; if you work with a therapist on mindfulness for ADHD, you can find a way to practice that suits your interests and needs.
DBT for ADHD
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) focuses on working with emotional regulation and relationships. It combines aspects of CBT, such as awareness of thought patterns, with aspects of mindfulness and acceptance. In people with ADHD, DBT can help with increasing self-control and reducing impulsivity. It can also promote tolerance of unpleasant emotions and interpersonal skills that can help people with ADHD maintain fulfilling relationships.
Conclusion
Finding a therapist for ADHD can truly be a transformative step in managing the challenges of this condition. While defined by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, ADHD also fosters strengths such as creativity and hyper-focus. Still, the challenges posed by ADHD make treatment important for adults and children alike. Therapy methods for ADHD sometimes have benefits over medication and include CBT, mindfulness-based therapies, and DBT.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the main symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is characterized by three core behavioral symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD often experience other symptoms such as trouble with emotional regulation, sleep problems, low self-esteem, and difficulty with organization.
2. Why is ADHD often overlooked in adults?
ADHD is frequently overlooked in adults because their symptoms can be mistaken for or appear alongside other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In fact, 25 to 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder, and 19 to 53% of adults with ADHD have depression. However, these other diagnoses can actually result from the difficulty of living with ADHD. Without proper identification of ADHD as the underlying condition, adults with ADHD may experience trouble in their work or social life, as well as face an increased risk of substance use, anxiety, and depression.
3. What types of therapy are effective for treating ADHD?
While medication is a common treatment for ADHD, therapy can be very useful for managing symptoms and offers benefits such as fewer side effects; therefore, a combination of medication and therapy is the gold standard for treating ADHD. Three well-studied types of therapy for ADHD are CBT, mindfulness-based therapies, and DBT.