Holiday Mental Health-Part II: ADHD in Adults

Are you dreading holiday gatherings because someone you will be around pushes your buttons but you aren’t just sure as to the reason?

Maybe it’s because they exhibit characteristics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.  According to the American Psychiatric Association, ADHD affects approximately 2.5% of adults.  The National Institute of Mental Health estimates these numbers to be low because many adults with this condition go undiagnosed.

This might be where those puzzling challenges with some individuals reveal themselves.  When those around us have glaring challenging characteristics, dealing with them is sometimes easier than dealing with those who have challenging characteristics you can’t quite place your finger on.

Although ADHD isn’t classified as an actual mental illness, it is a neurological disorder that impacts the parts of the brain that help us plan, focus on, and execute tasks.  The symptoms vary by sub-type.  Sub-types include inattentive, hyperactive, or combined.

Key inattentive symptoms include:

·         being easily distracted

·         frequent forgetfulness in daily life

·         trouble paying attention or listening when other people speak

·         trouble following instructions and completing tasks

·         a tendency to lose focus or get easily sidetracked

·         difficulty staying organized

·         time management struggles

·         procrastination

·         frequently losing items needed for daily activities

Key hyperactive symptoms include:

·         a habit of interrupting others

·         excessive talking

·         a habit of finishing others’ sentences or giving an answer before someone finishes asking a question

·         impatience

·         making decisions, especially about purchases, impulsively

·         difficulty remaining still

·         frequent fidgeting

·         persistent feelings of restlessness

·         having emotional outbursts

Obviously, the combined sub-types include symptoms from both the inattentive and hyperactive categories.

Adults with ADHD often have trouble in relationships whether they are professional or personal.  So, when you are having difficulty dealing with challenging individuals at your holiday gatherings (or any time or place) but you can’t quite put your finger on the reason, think about the symptoms listed above.

If you think you might be dealing with someone exhibiting symptoms of adult ADHD, here are some tips to help cope:

·         Don’t start asking what is wrong with yourself or start thinking you are the one with the disorder

·         Don’t engage in an argument with the person

·         Stay cool and collected when dealing with the person

·         Use deep breathing to help release stress the individual might be causing you

·         Keep topics and activities light-hearted and fun

·         Treat the individual with respect even if that means walking away

·         Forgive even if the individual says hurtful things to you