What Resources Are There for Adults with ADHD?

Hannah Hopper, LPC 

ADHD is typically diagnosed in children, but what if you’re an adult and your ADHD has been under the radar until recent years? Maybe you’ve struggled with it most of your life, but now that you’re working in the office, ADHD is showing up in new ways and beginning to get in the way of your work productivity. And just so we’re on the same page, some of the primary symptoms include fidgeting, difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, forgetfulness, and moodiness. Fortunately there are some resources that can help with coping with the symptoms of ADHD.

Headspace

Headspace is an app that is dedicated to mindfulness and guided meditations, but has now expanded to include meditations for sleep, movement, and focus. The focus tracks are particularly useful if you find yourself getting distracted throughout the workday, and the app has

focus music and focus exercises that will gently bring your attention back to the present moment and the task at hand. The focus exercises even offer options between tracks that are more concentrated on working from home or studying for an exam.

Job Accommodation

If ADHD is making it difficult for you to do your work, you could be eligible for job accommodations. There is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the American with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, and both of these are laws that are designed to provide workplace protection for employees who have disabilities. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) can provide you with more information about how these laws apply to your specific situation and your workplace, and their services are free.

Organizations

•     CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is an organization that is aimed at improving the lives of people who are living with ADHD. CHADD offers information about ADHD (both for kids and adults), scholarships, toolkits for coping, support groups, as well as podcasts and magazines. CHADD is also involved in advocacy and research in local communities for helping people with ADHD.
•     The ADHD Foundation is “an integrated health and education service offering a unique lifespan-strength based service, for the 1 in 5 people who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome.” They offer a variety of free blogs on understanding ADHD and offering tools for coping with ADHD that are research based. While based in the UK, their website offers resources for those living in the US as well. The
•     The American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders focuses on research and education to improve the lives of those with ADHD. Their blogs are research based, and even suggest pairing CBT and medication as the best option for managing symptoms related to ADHD.

If you’re unsure if you have ADHD, this article from Healthline is a good place to start for noticing signs that may indicate you have ADHD. Having the support of a mental health professional can be helpful for understanding and gaining more control over symptoms related to ADHD. If you’re ready to take that first step and schedule therapy in Chicago with Symmetry Counseling, you can browse our therapist bios to find someone that is the right fit for you. You can also contact Symmetry Counseling today by calling 312-578-9990 to get matched with one of our therapists.