Wondering if you have ADHD? You're not alone. More than four percent of adults in the U.S. have ADHD.
Do you jump around from task to task, never quite crossing the finish line? Maybe everything feels equally important even if it isn’t.
Is it hard to plan or organize something?
Do you have paper piles everywhere?
Are you easily distracted and forgetful?
Do you lose things and have a hard time paying attention, especially if you are sitting down?
Are you mentally restless and do you have a hard time shutting off your mind at night?
Do you move around a lot, fidget, or have a hard time waiting your turn?
Do you have popcorn thinking and are you often late?
Are the channels changing in your brain but you don’t have the remote?
If you answered yes to one or more of these, you might have ADHD!
So what do you do now that you have identified you may have ADHD? Here are the next steps:
Diagnosis
A good first step it to reach out to your primary care doctor. They can review your medical history, provide a diagnosis, or refer you to a mental health provider, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist.
Medication
A very important tool in ADHD management is medication. We know that eighty percent of people with ADHD receive a good result from medication. DNA testing is available, which can narrow down which medications may be the most effective for you.
Education and Community
It is important to get educated about ADHD. Advocacy organizations such as CHADD, ADDA, ACO, and ADDitude Magazine can connect you to the ADHD community, providing excellent resources such as podcasts, webinars, productivity groups, provider directories, and more.
Therapy
Mental health therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in dealing with behavioral modification as it relates to ADHD. Counselors can help with the impact of living with ADHD, such as reframing the negative messages many have heard throughout their lives.
ADHD Coaching
An ADHD coach can help with navigating the challenges of daily living with ADHD, through skills, tools, strategies and resources. A coach is a non-judgmental partner who can support you in creating a daily customized plan for success, as well as guide you in discovering and leveraging your strengths.
You have always worked hard, now it’s time to work smart. With good treatment you don’t have to struggle so hard! Step forward, you’ll be glad that you did!
For support in getting on top of your ADHD, click HERE!
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