It’s Not Just Sitting Still: Adult ADHD Awareness
By Rev. Katherine Sherrill, M.A., LCMHCA, MT-BC
When you think about ADHD, most of us have that picture of the young kid who doesn’t focus or can’t sit still in class. Maybe they have fidget toys or a different chair in a classroom. We rarely think about ADHD outside of childhood or even the classroom. Over the last several years, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors are helping adults understand that ADHD is more than what we think about. ADHD in adults is often not recognized because the symptoms appear different than we see in children. As we age, there are different needs that therapy often addresses with these clients.
ADHD, at its core, seems to affect the front lobe of the brain which is home to our executive functioning. Executive functioning is a wide range of skills like planning, following directions, making lists, decision making, and impulse control. An adult with ADHD may struggle with saving for the future, buying things off Amazon, or making a decision between several options. Some people can have swings of intense focus to being easily overstimulated. Often, many adults seek out tasks or hobbies that can provide the optimal level of stimulation. The frontal lobe also impacts our way of dealing with criticism and emotional resilience. Some clients may have trouble with authority or being told they need to redo something. They can be prone to outbursts of anger or feeling out of control of their emotions. It may sound like a laundry list of symptoms but every ADHD client is different. I work with each client to identify goals and strategies for their specific needs.
October is ADHD awareness month, and with that, we all need to see ADHD differently than just not paying attention or not sitting still. It can have major impacts for adults in their work, families, and relationships. Many adults don’t even realize that they have ADHD. It is common for clients to notice anxiety, depression, or uncontrollable anger before seeing other signs. However, there is always hope and as we learn more from each other and advance studies we are able to help clients understand their needs and goals. ADHD clients are some of my most creative and expressive--willing to take risks to improve their overall health. For ADHD awareness, I give thanks to the many ways that we can continue to learn and grow about the needs of our family, friends, and neighbors. As always, everyone at Sanctuary Counseling Group is here to walk the journey with you.
