Since 2015, Dr. Christie Mensch has served as a psychiatrist at the Wyandot Center, an outpatient facility in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Christie Mensch treats adults who present with a range of mental and emotional challenges, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, can make it difficult for people to complete tasks and focus on their daily responsibilities, including paying bills and getting to work on time. It can lead to impulsive behavior and procrastination, which can in turn interfere with a person's success both at work and socially. Many adults with ADHD believe that their challenges are an inherent character flaw or permanent limitation, though there are many strategies that can help.
One of the most helpful approaches is to break down long-term goals into actionable steps. Each step should involve no more than a half hour to an hour of sustained effort, which the person can track with a timer. After the timer goes off, a small reward or break is in order.
If there are many goals to pursue, as there often are in adult life, a prioritized list can help. If necessary, this can become a schedule with a specified time frame for each task. If a task is particularly difficult to focus on or complete, a third party can help to keep the person accountable.
Systems for impulse control are equally important, as thoughtless words and actions are responsible for many of the struggles of a person with ADHD. For those who find that they are prone to impulse spending, a strict budget is necessary, while a breathe-before-speaking approach works best for those whose words get away from them. Each person must determine what strategies are most necessary for him or her, though a skilled and experienced therapist or coach can help.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.