Strategies for Living
If you have adult ADHD, you know how difficult it can be to live and cope with the disorder. Many people may have trouble getting and keeping a job because they tend to change employers frequently or quit because they're bored. Because of poor job performance and problems relating to coworkers and supervisors, adults with ADHD are also fired more often than other workers.
When it comes to friendship and romances, many adults with ADHD have difficult personality traits that tend to drive people away. They also suffer a much higher rate of divorce, separation, and marital problems than other people.
Fact
According to research, problems with time management and other executive skills take a heavy toll on adults with ADHD. Twenty-five percent of them drop out of school, only 12 percent earn a bachelor's degree, and just 4 percent establish and maintain a professional career.
Although living with adult ADHD isn't easy, the good news is there are ever-increasing avenues of help, including life coaches, counselors, therapists, time management specialists, and others. Because the disease is so prevalent and so many adults are never diagnosed, more and more research is being conducted. Researchers are also developing better diagnostic tools so that fewer people slip through the cracks, and the search for more effective medications and treatments with fewer side effects has intensified.
Getting a Handle on Time
Many people with adult ADHD have a hard time determining how much they can really accomplish in a given time. Life or career coaches can help you learn not to bite off more than you can chew. They can also help you figure how much time you have in your schedule for a given task and plan accordingly. For instance, a coach can show you how to break big projects into smaller projects and assign a deadline for completing each part in order to catch problems before they snowball into major issues.
Fact
Posting deadlines will help remind you to use your time wisely. Post them where you're likely to see them, such as on the refrigerator, microwave, or a wall near your desk, or create a computer screensaver. You can also put a note by your bed so it's the last thing you think about at night and the first thing you see when you wake up.
Successful Interpersonal Relationships
People with adult ADHD tend to fall into one of two categories. They may be loners, hermits, and extremely withdrawn and antisocial; or they may be so social that they can't stand being alone for an hour. Unfortunately, both extremes make it difficult for them to function in society.
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time making and keeping meaningful relationships, whether it's with friends or marital partners. They tend to be impulsive and short-tempered and often drive people away. Because they may not have a clear sense of who they are or what they've done, it is often difficult for them to acknowledge and correct their offending behavior. Psychotherapy and biofeedback can help people recognize their negative personality traits, understand how their actions and comments affect others, and take steps to modify their behavior.
