ADHD Awareness Month – October 2022
Understanding a Shared Experience
Emotional dysregulation is a key feature of adult ADHD and it can strain a relationship. Learning to recognize the source of emotional outbursts can help one become a better partner and allow both partners to work together to improve the relationship.
Watch the short video “Why does my partner with ADHD have so much trouble with emotional regulation?”Having ADHD can make communication difficult in the workplace. Requesting accommodations isn’t always an option. Melissa Orlov offers some ideas on how you can address ADHD challenges to communication and productivity without using ADHD as an excuse.
Watch the short video “How can I improve communication at work?”Becoming aware of patterns in a relationship when a partner has ADHD can help the relationship remain healthy. Symptoms such as distraction can cause hurt feelings when not recognized and addressed by both partners. Melissa Orlov encourages partners to use the tools of good communication to address patterns caused by ADHD.
Watch the short video “How does distraction challenge a relationship when a partner has ADHD?”Other symptoms, such as inattention and forgetfulness, can make the partner without ADHD feel unloved. Working on symptom management together can improve communication and strengthen a relationship. Award winning author Meslissa Orlov tackles the notions of pain, confusion, and exhaustion in communication betwen partners when one has ADHD. She shares tools to understanding the patterns of the problems.
Watch the short video “What challenges to communication are caused by ADHD?”Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD discusses types of useful medication available and the importance of clinicians and patients working together to find the “sweet spot” that allows the right medication, at the right dose, to provide the maximum benefit as part of a treatment plan.
Watch the short video “How effective is medication for treating ADHD?”Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD talks about lifestyle changes that can help improve ADHD symptoms for children. Good sleep practice has an impact on daytime executive function. And nutrition is related to weight gain problems and other physical conditions. So sharing healthy meals can also help parents address some of their children’s symptoms and make family life go a little more smoothly.
Watch the short video “What lifestyle changes can improve family life?”Self-care strategies can play an important role in supporting ADHD treatment and managing symptoms. Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD points to habits such as good sleep hygiene, regular exercise, stress management, ADHD coaching, therapy, and a balanced diet. These can all help a person address ADHD symptoms and strengthen treatment approaches. We are coming to a better understanding of how these self-care strategies are beneficial.
Watch the short video “What is the role of self-care in managing ADHD?”They are struggling with an executive function challenge. It’s normal for a child with ADHD to be inconsistent. Dulce Torres, LPC-S, BCC, ACC, has tips for parents to help their children with ADHD to better manage their behavior.
Watch the short video “What are the challenges of parenting a child or children with ADHD?”Medications and non-medication, often lifestyle, approaches have their roles to play in a treatment plan for ADHD. Often, the two approaches support one another, making each more affective. Samuele Cortese, MD, PhD discusses the roles of both.
Watch the short video “Which is better for treating ADHD? Medicate or not?”Many parents, and aunts and uncles, will begin to look at their own life’s history when their child has been diagnosed with ADHD. They recognize the symptoms of ADHD have been present in their own lives and may be the cause of some of their experiences and struggles. It’s common for parents and family members to seek their own evaluation when a child is first diagnosed with ADHD. J. Faye Dixon, PhD gives some pointers.
Watch the short video “My Child Has ADHD. Could I Have It, Too?”
