Many people struggle with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD as it’s more commonly referred to. This video briefly discussed what ADHD is and how people with it can struggle. We also cover seven tips for how to manage ADHD.
In this video, I discuss Driven to Distraction, a book I highly recommend you check out!
Tip #1: Confirm the Diagnosis – While this might seem like an odd tip, there are many mental health conditions that can look similar to ADHD. It’s important not to make a self diagnosis of ADHD, but to seek professional help with this. If you’re thinking you might have ADHD, seeing a professional who can talk to you and understand what you’re experiencing will be an important step in possibly being diagnosed with ADHD. The professional may also talk to other people in your life, or give you questionnaires or assessments to complete. If you’re diagnosed with ADHD, you can then begin treatments for it.
Tip #2: Embrace High-Intensity Activities – For people with ADHD, they can crave lots of stimulation and high-intensity activities. It’s important to recognize that this is part of who they are. Rather than trying to not try these high-stimulation activities, it might be better to plan for them and to find things that are low-risk or safer to do. Ignoring a craving for high-intensity activities could result in impulsively doing something without fully thinking through and considering the risks.
Tip #3: Add Structure – When someone has ADHD, they can easily misplace things, for get important events, or get distracted in the middle of something. Increasing structure in life can help manage this. Things such as keeping important items (wallet, keys, etc.) in one place can help reduce how often they’re lost. Using a planner might help take pressure off your mind to have to remember everything. Or using your phone as a reminder for important appointments or for when to take medication can be a simple solution.
Tip #4: Prioritize – Even though people with ADHD often struggle to focus, they also have the ability to be ultra-focused, but they can’t control when this happens. That said, many people with ADHD find that, when they’re under high pressure, they can become laser focused. A time where this can easily happen is when someone procrastinates and is down to crunch-time. But, this can add a lot of stress and pressure in life. Instead, people with ADHD can benefit from making a list of what they need to do, then breaking each item down into steps. This way, rather than procrastinating, they can pick the highest priority item, start with step one, then step two, and so on.
Tip #5: Exercise – We talked about how people with ADHD can crave high-intensity activity. What many have found out is that, when they exercise regularly—especially if the exercise is vigorous—they will benefit from having a calmer mind and body that lasts long after their workout is done.
Want to learn the other two tips for ADHD and get some bonus ADHD info? Check out my video on tips for ADHD at the top of the page!
