By: Andorra Turner
Did you know that October is ADHD awareness month? In 2004, it began as a single day in October, and it has grown to be the whole month of October since then.
As 8.4% of children, and 2.5% of adults have ADHD, raising awareness is important. Many individuals receive ADHD diagnoses as adults, especially women, who tend to present with different symptoms than men. Many adults and children with ADHD can face discrimination or unfair treatment, at home, at school, and in the workplace, and awareness and education can destigmatize the symptoms and effects of ADHD. Awareness can also lead individuals with ADHD to seek support for their symptoms, such as by seeking out a therapist or medication.
Misconceptions About ADHD Symptoms
Most people are aware of the “typical” ADHD symptoms, such as hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children who present with these symptoms are more likely to get diagnoses at an early age. However, children and adults with more inattentive ADHD can often go unnoticed for years. ADHD can also cause issues with motivation, procrastination, emotion regulation, and rejection sensitivity. It’s also very common for ADHD to occur alongside depression and anxiety, which often make it more difficult to find the correct treatment and support. Consider the common misconceptions, such as that ADHD is “just laziness”, or that it goes away in adulthood. People with ADHD, children and adults, often require help and support.
How do you Support Someone With ADHD?
If you have a loved one with ADHD, there are things you can do to help. Often, one of the biggest struggles is procrastination, even for tasks that “should” be easy.
Shame, judgment, or anger rarely helps when someone with ADHD is struggling, but that’s often what people resort to out of frustration. It can lead to low self-confidence and negative self-talk. One thing that can help is what is called “body doubling”. Being productive next to this person, or even on video chat, can be helpful, even if you are not working on the same tasks. This can look like video chatting while doing chores, or sitting in a room while they work on the computer. It can even be utilized by watching a live stream of someone else working. Just be careful of distractions!
ADHD Counseling Can Help If You Are Struggling with Your ADHD
If you’re struggling with ADHD, or you think you might have undiagnosed ADHD, attending therapy can be helpful. Often, weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions can give you a sense of routine. A therapist who specializes in ADHD can help you work through the depression and anxiety often associated with ADHD, and teach positive coping strategies. Finding a psychiatrist may also be useful if you want a formal diagnosis and medication, but if that is something you are uncomfortable with then a therapist is a good place to start.
What Else Can Help?
There are also many great ADHD content creators online. The YouTube channel “How To ADHD” is a great starting point if you wish to learn more about ADHD, whether it’s for yourself or someone you care about.
Maintaining awareness of ADHD and its effects throughout the year is so important. Educating yourself and raising awareness can destigmatize some of the symptoms. You are welcome to reach out to WellMinded Counseling to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Get Support and start ADHD Counseling in Boulder or Denver, CO Today!
Embark on your ADHD journey with WellMinded Counseling in Denver, CO. Break the stigma, seek support from a dedicated therapist, and discover effective coping strategies. In order to get started follow these steps:
Contact us for a free consultation or to schedule your appointment today.
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OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED AT WELLMINDED COUNSELING
Therapy for depression isn’t the only service we offer. WellMinded Counseling offers the following counseling services: