Young Adults with ADHD

Young adults often make it through their entire lives without ever being diagnosed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, even though they sense they are different from their peers. Parents fear talking to their children's doctor about it because they do not want their kids put on Ritalin or other strong medication. Then, later in life, these special needs adults suffer quietly because they fear stigmas from their classmates, coworkers, family members and friends. They don't want it to seem like something is "wrong" with them, so they internalize their emotions into depression, aggression or anxiety. Studies show that, with a little understanding and resources, ADHD adults can live meaningful and successful lives, despite their unique challenges.

A 2005 study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders found that young adults with ADHD had a more difficult time adjusting to college academically, socially and emotionally, when compared to their non-ADHD peers. Researchers found that nearly all the students with ADHD anxiety had never been previously diagnosed or received any prior treatment. They also concluded that universities need better support services like specialized counseling programs and labs for reading difficulties to help these students. Despite the difficulties students faced, researchers added that the potential to succeed was there.

According to ADHD coach, Dr. Rory Stern, young adults with ADHD can excel in school if they identify and understand their particular adult learning styles. Sometimes teachers try a one-size-fits-all approach that just doesn't work with special needs adults, Stern says. For instance, visual learners "do best from seeing examples and having an opportunity to watch." This means note taking, drawing diagrams and studying illustrations. Auditory learners "learn and retain information when they have an opportunity to hear it." They absorb information by recording and listening to class lectures. Kinesthetic learners are often labeled with ADHD anxiety because they're fidgety and highly active, but they love hands-on experiences like field trips, model-building, skits and science projects. Often trying different techniques to facilitate learning empowers students and gives them a better chance at succeeding in the classroom. 

Young adults with ADHD can be successful at just about any type of career if it meets their interests. It's just important that they avoid some ADHD anxiety "workplace traps." For instance, working adults with ADHD often get easily distracted. Therefore, it's wise that they seek jobs with flex-time, desks facing away from traffic or a varied work day. To minimize internal distractions, they can keep lists, check off tasks and work on one particular task for brief periods of time before switching to other tasks. They may also experience hyperactivity, so they should actively take notes at meetings, plan productive days, exercise during their lunch breaks and find a job where they can spend a lot of time moving about. Lastly, to overcome a poor memory, ADHD adults should subscribe to the mantra "do it now or write it down," set cell phone reminders, keep a calendar and live with a detailed agenda nearby at all times.

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