What Comes After an ADHD Diagnosis?

Medication, Adjustment to the Diagnosis, Psychotherapy, Skills, Community


These are the areas that need to be addressed when you receive a diagnosis of ADHD: 


  • MEDICATION


  • When doctors give us a diagnosis, they usually prescribe a treatment as well -  usually medications. Seldom do they educate us about the diagnosis. 

    • Most of the clients I have worked with who have ADHD were not told anything about ADHD by the prescriber. 

    • Very few were advised to seek additional treatment or further support. 


  • About half of those with ADHD who are prescribed medication have a “normalizing” experience, the medication helping their brain to function in a typical way. 

    • Others experience some improvement but not a “normalizing” one.

    • Others experience little to no improvement. 


  • Almost all can benefit from non-medication treatments. 


  • ADJUSTING TO THE DIAGNOSIS


  • When adults are diagnosed with ADHD, they have already lived their lives to that point with an undiagnosed developmental disorder. The following are some responses to diagnosis:  

    • Relief: 

      • To know there is a reason for all the past problems and  troubles.

    • Sadness: 

      • Realizing the condition will continue, though it may be abated.

      • Realizing that medication is not the full solution. 

      • Inability to take medications and receive that help.

  

  • PSYCHOTHERAPY

    • Psychotherapy can help us come to terms with the diagnosis

      • PAST: Making sense of our past with this new knowledge.

        • Oh, so that is why I could never……(fill in the blank).

        • You mean [to borrow a great book title] “ I’m Not Stupid, Crazy, or Lazy.”

        • Why didn’t someone get me the help I needed?

        • That’s why the other kids (fill in the blank_teased me, bullied me, excluded me, etc.). 

      • PRESENT: Learning skills, managing emotions, re-evaluating life values and purpose.

      • FUTURE: Looking toward the future.

  • SKILLS

    • ADHD has to be managed on a daily basis.

      • Psychotherapy may focus on developing skills:

        • Organizational

        • Time management

        • Emotion Management

        • Relationships

  • COMMUNITY

    • Support from others can be vital to adjustment to living with ADHD.

      • ADHD Support Groups

      • Talking with friends and family

      • Enlisting help when needed

      • Accepting help


True North Counseling & Development offers individual counseling for adults with ADHD. 


If you are interested in joining an ADHD therapy support group, please call 859-740-7374. 

Dr. Sharon Martin will also be hosting a free, virtual “Lunch & Learn” about women and ADHD this Friday 3/17 at noon. Visit this page to register for the Zoom meeting!


ADHDSharon Martinadhd, adult adhd, women's mental health