Adolescents and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not always have a formal diagnosis and they are not always taking medication to cope with their condition. Many have spent a lifetime developing coping strategies that counterbalance their personal challenges. But one day, life throws them a curve ball and suddenly they aren’t sure how to cope. Maybe that someone is you.
The unsettling event could be one of a number of things. For instance, you may have moved into a new community, gotten married or had a job change. Any significant situation that arises can show that your old ways of coping are simply not working in the new circumstance.
If you’re an adolescent it could be the transition from middle school to high school. The new workload, class sizes and changing schedules are overwhelming. You want to keep up but the many distractions; difficulty keeping things organized and general stress of the environment make it hard.
If you are an adult the tipping point can be reached due to other changes. Relationship changes such as the entrance into marriage or becoming a parent mean major changes in terms of roles and expectations. Your schedule becomes less predictable as demands on you multiply and it can expose challenges in coping strategies you’ve never seen before.
Even something wonderful like a promotion at work can bring on unforeseen challenges. So too can negative situations such as a personal injury. Without even realizing it, you may have been coping with your ADHD through exercise. But if an injury suddenly limits your ability to exercise, new coping mechanisms will be needed.
The good news is that there are new coping methods to learn. Adolescents and adults with ADHD can be taught new ways to think, schedule and positively manage challenges associated with ADHD. If you are finding that life is suddenly feeling out of control, contact the mental health professionals at Family Guidance. They understand what you are facing and know how to help.
