Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was once considered a childhood disorder that one would grow out of, no longer having the condition in adulthood (Sibley, 2021). However, research has found that this is not the case, and that ADHD is a lifelong condition (Sibley, 2021). For many adults with ADHD, undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can lead to also struggling with anxiety (generalised and social) and/or depression, and lowered self-esteem. This may be due to struggling with relationships, tertiary education, and employment, as well as struggling to manage day-to-day life.
What Is Actually Going On?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with deficits in the brain’s executive functioning. In his ADDitude article, What Is Executive Function? 7 Deficits Tied to ADHD, Dr Russell Barkley discussed four circuits in the brain area associated with executive function and how dysfunction in these circuits impacts individuals with ADHD:
- The “What” Circuit – linked to working memory and how our thoughts guide what we do. It is instrumental in planning and working towards goals.
- The “When” Circuit (the timing circuit) – helps to coordinate, sequence, and time the execution of our actions. When this circuit is not functioning well, it can result in problems with time management.
- The “Why” Circuit – linked to our emotions and is the final decision maker in our plans. When choosing between several activities we could do, this circuit will choose based on how we feel about our options. How we feel may then impact our motivation to engage with an activity. Also, when this circuit is not functioning well, it can result in struggling to regulate emotion.
- The “Who” Circuit – is linked to self-awareness, that is, our awareness of what we do, how we feel, and what is happening to us. When this circuit is not functioning well, it can be difficult to monitor how our behaviour is impacting others.
Impairment in the above circuits may vary from individual to individual with ADHD, which is why it can present differently in each ADHDer. This also means that there isn’t a “one size fits all” when it comes to ADHD treatment.
What Can Be Done About It?
Apart from ADHD medications, which can be highly effective, ADHD Coaching can help to develop skills to support executive functioning. ADHD Coaching is a form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and can include:
- Getting a better understanding of your ADHD
- Time awareness and management skills
- How to get organised
- Breaking down tasks and working towards goals
- Getting started on tasks and maintaining motivation
- Impulsivity and self-control skills
- Developing more helpful self-talk
- Distress tolerance skills
- Developing a healthy life balance
As noted above, each individual with ADHD may struggle more so in some areas compared to others, and therefore, ADHD Coaching can be adapted for the individual needs of the ADHDer. ADHD Coaching is a collaborate process with the therapist allowing for further personalisation of treatment.
References
Barkley, R. (2019, 3 October). What is executive function? 7 deficits tied to ADHD. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/7-executive-function-deficits-linked-to-adhd/
Sibley, M. H. (2021). Empirically-informed guidelines for first-time adult ADHD diagnosis. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 43(4), 340–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2021.1923665
