Adults Struggle to Cope with ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a childhood disease. In recent years, the term “adult ADHD” has gained in popularity, and many adults have discovered that various problems in their lives may be linked to ADHD. These adults didn’t “catch” or “develop” ADHD later in life. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder always starts in childhood; it simply isn’t caught until adulthood in some cases.

This means that adults who are diagnosed with ADHD have been struggling with certain aspects of their lives for as long as they can remember without knowing why. They may have had extreme difficulty in school or at work, experienced extreme distractibility or impulsivity that might have impaired their ability to function, and developed other disorders such as anxiety or depression. Because they’ve had no explanation for their difficulties, they’ve generally chalked them up to being “stupid” or “defective,” which can certainly take a toll on their Emotional Wellness.

Those suffering from but undiagnosed with ADHD may feel different from everyone else and wonder what is wrong with them.

A recent study looked at the psychological effects of being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. The study was performed at the Institute of Psychiatry, United Kingdom. The researchers focused on what kind of impact diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD had on an individual’s self-perception and outlook on the future.

The study assessed three factors: how they felt before receiving diagnosis, the psychological impact of receiving diagnosis, and what they believed about the future after having received diagnosis. Results showed that there were 6 stages of adjustment after being diagnosed with adult ADHD.

First, an individual will experience relief and elation at finally having an explanation for their problems. The next few stages are confusion and emotional turmoil, anger, sadness and grief, anxiety, and finally accommodation and acceptance. The anxiety is most likely related to fears about the future of living with ADHD.

The researchers concluded that more comprehensive therapy to help those diagnosed with adult ADHD adjust psychologically may be recommended. They specifically point to cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients learn coping skills and strategies for dealing with their ADHD, which will reduce anxiety about the future.

© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.

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