There are over 11 million adults in the US who struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. People who have ADHD struggle to focus, stay on task, work for long periods, and stay organized. ADHD in adults is completely normal, but it can impact your daily life, especially in a fast-paced world. Adults with ADHD can become restless or be extremely impulsive. This can be hard when adults are expected to be stable and reliable as they don’t have caretakers keeping track of all of their appointments and tasks. This blog will discuss more facts about ADHD and treatment methods that are effective for these individuals.

What Is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. Some individuals don’t get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, because children typically have shorter attention spans. The signs of ADHD in children get chalked up to immaturity or naivety that comes with younger years. 

In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, the following symptoms must be present in two or more settings (work, school, home, with family or friends, and other social activities).

• Inattention: Difficulty paying attention or staying focused on one task.
• Hyperactivity-Impulsivity: too much energy or moving around too much. Some individuals talk fast or non-stop or constantly need to fidget.
• Emotional Dysregulation: Mood swings, irritability, or difficulty managing complex emotions.

How Does ADHD Affect Adults?

Similar to other mental health struggles, ADHD in adults can affect all areas of life. Those with ADHD can see its effects in social, work, and personal life. Adults with ADHD often struggle with work performance and productivity. Dealing with inattention at work may hinder career advancement. Some individuals with ADHD can do well in specific fields because they can learn something quickly since they tend to hyperfocus on one thing. 

Individuals can also struggle with self-esteem when diagnosed with ADHD. The struggles of hyperactivity or mood swings can cause feelings of inadequacy. Persistent struggles can wear on relationships, lead to feelings of inadequacy, and heighten depression. 

Treatment Methods For ADHD In Adults

More people are getting proper diagnoses for ADHD and are looking for a treatment method that works best for them. There are multiple therapy types, medications, and natural methods that can help with the symptoms of ADHD in adults. 

Medication

Research has shown that medication can be highly effective. While all medications can have side effects, there are stimulants and non-stimulant medications that can work for ADHD patients. Some antidepressants are also used to treat the symptoms of ADHD in adults. It is best to do your research on how other medications will interact with this new ADHD medication and what the side effects of the medicine are. Some medications can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart problems, etc. 

Psychotherapy

Therapy on its own has not been shown to treat the root symptoms of ADHD, but it can be used in conjunction with other methods. Therapy can help individuals develop better-coping strategies and help with anxiety and depression that can accompany ADHD. Working with a therapist can help ADHD adults set better goals and learn to set clear boundaries.

Complementary Methods

People often combine natural products or vitamins with their other medications to help manage their symptoms. Actions labeled as “self-care” are also effective for those with ADHD (art, spending time alone, exercise, meditation, organizational apps, support groups, etc.)

Using complementary methods and coping strategies can help adults with ADHD if they are nervous about medication. Sticking with a routine and using methods that work for you is the only way to help improve your daily life.

Following A Routine

Staying organized and following a routine can help ADHD in adults. Getting used to completing certain tasks and doing small things before jumping into a hobby at home can help you perform better as an adult. Building routines can help ADHD individuals avoid losing things, forgetting appointments, missing school pickup, being late to work, or neglecting household chores. Everyone’s routine will look different, but creating a repeating to-do list on your phone can help.

Additional Tips To Help Thrive As An Adult With ADHD

• Use a day planner to keep track of activities, to-do’s, and appointments
• Use color-coded labels or give every item a “home.”
• Set reminders or alarms on your phone
• Utilize frequent exercise to help increase dopamine levels
• Set short timers to help you focus on a defined task
• Minimize distractions
• Listen to music or wear noise-cancelling headphones during work or cleaning
• Maintain a clean space
• Know your boundaries and limits

Over 60 million people worldwide are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. World Bipolar Day is celebrated on March 30th to help raise awareness, provide resources, and help those who struggle with bipolar feel less alone.

In this blog, we will discuss how you can raise more awareness around mental health on World Bipolar Day as well as how Bipolar differs from other mental illnesses. No matter what mental illness you are dealing with, you are valid and can receive help. Red Willow Counseling and Recovery wants to destigmatize all mental illnesses and share educational resources for all. 

Raising Awareness About Bipolar Disorder And Other Mental Illnesses

The biggest reason to have mental health awareness days, months, or events is to help reduce the stigma around talking about mental illnesses or those struggling with mental health. Although the stigma has been significantly reduced in recent years, talking about mental health can still be seen as taboo. World Bipolar Day can be a great time to share your experience with Bipolar Disorder or help raise awareness for those who are close to you. 

Focus On Artistic Expression On March 30th

Many people who deal with mental illness use art to help express their feelings. Art can be a healthy outlet for tough emotions or trauma. Not all people who have Bipolar Disorder will use art to help manage their symptoms, but taking some time on March 30th to create a piece of art can be a good way to celebrate. Try using items you find around your home or in nature or create an art piece representing an emotion you are experiencing. 

Share Mental Health Resources On Social Media

Bipolar Disorders should often not be handled alone. Mood swings and racing thoughts can put some people in danger of harming themselves or others. Sharing the proper resources with those who may need them, could save a life or drastically improve their daily life. 

Therapy is often a great resource for those with Bipolar disorder. Individual therapy can help a person develop coping skills that help manage their manic episodes. 

Before sharing information on social media, it is important to vet the resources. Share scholarly articles, and organization links, and not posts that contain judgments or myths around mental health. Some links and resources you can share include:

• Bipolar Disorder 101: The Basics
• Patient and Family Guide to the CANMAT and ISBD Guidelines on the Management of Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation
• ISBD Webinars
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Local therapy resources

Wear A Bipolar Disorder Ribbon On March 30th

The ribbon for Bipolar Disorder contains black and white stripes and can be worn on World Bipolar Day to strike up a conversation and create solidarity. Wearing a green ribbon also represents mental health awareness, so either ribbon is appropriate to wear on March 30th. 

Participate In An Awareness And Fundraiser Walk

Finding a fundraiser that contributes to Bipolar Disorder research or treatment methods is a great way to contribute to World Bipolar Day. An awareness walk or run can be a great way to help improve your health while contributing to a good cause. These walks typically raise money by offering t-shirts, pins, ribbons, and other goods for participants to buy. The more participants that take part in the walk, the more awareness and word of mouth will be generated. 

Promote Mindfulness Activities

Meditation and mindfulness have been shown to provide benefits for those who struggle with mental health as well as others who experience high stress. Sharing mindfulness resources or a guided meditation on World Bipolar Day can be helpful and a way for you to celebrate emotions. 

One of the things that sets Bipolar Disorder apart from other mental illnesses are the highs and lows of mania and depression. Practicing grounding activities can be helpful for some Bipolar individuals. Learning that all emotions have a purpose can be very healing, especially when learned through meditation and mindfulness. 

Therapy For Bipolar Disorder From Red Willow

Each Bipolar individual will still have unique needs and challenges. When searching for a therapist, you should find one that is willing to adapt and learn about you. Our therapists at Red Willow help to develop a unique treatment plan that works best for you. We understand that being vulnerable in therapy can be difficult, so giving grace and having patience is important to everyone on our team. No matter what your challenge is, our trained professionals are here to help! Contact Red Willow Counseling and Recovery or head to our website to learn more about each of our therapists before getting started.