Could I Have Undiagnosed Adult ADHD?

Finding it difficult to focus on something, even when it seems like an easy task, may be a sign of adult ADHD. People with this condition might have trouble prioritizing a schedule, forget meetings, or even unintentionally blow off friends for social events. Being distracted happens to everyone, but when our lack of focus starts to affect our lives, we may have an entirely different problem.

Adult ADHD is an often under-discussed topic that affects a bigger percentage of the population than you may realize. Around five percent of the population, or eight million Americans, may suffer from adult ADHD. Even more striking, many of those with adult ADHD are unaware that they have it.

Adult ADHD is likely so common because, for many of us, ADHD went unnoticed and undiagnosed in childhood. Adults with ADHD feel a tremendous impact on their lives. Most lack the coping skills to deal with the unique challenges of this illness or the symptoms. Finding a trusted provider to help you on your healing journey can help you as you adjust to the trials of adult ADHD. 

How Adult ADHD Affects Your Life

We may not always think that a lack of focus is a mental health issue, but it can be. Mental health includes everything that affects our well-being, whether those things are emotional, psychological, or social. Forgetting you were going to attend a friend’s party, being unable to focus on work, or even losing control of your emotions can all be signs of a larger mental health issue.

Meanwhile, these can also all be signs of adult ADHD. ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a condition that can become serious over time. Just like our psychological and emotional health can changethroughoutf a lifetime, so can our mental health. 

The ability to make healthy choices is key to living a healthy and productive life. This can be stymied for people who have trouble focusing on what really matters. Seeking help from caring professionals who understand our struggles as well as effective treatments for managing them can make all the difference in getting on the road to recovery.

Red Flags: Signs That You Need to Prioritize Your Mental Health

Undoubtedly, it can be difficult for us to pick up on the signs of a serious mental illness, including adult ADHD. In fact, for those of us who have lived our whole lives with an illness, we may overlook several warning signs. 

Mental illness does not usually appear out of nowhere. There are several critical signs that we should look out for. Some of these include:

• Withdrawing from social activities
• A decrease in productive functioning
• Difficulties with concentration
• A heightened sensitivity to seemingly random stimuli
• Apathetic responses to normal tasks
• General feelings of disconnectedness
• Changes in behavior that seem abnormal
• Deterioration of hygiene
• Sleeplessness
• Mood Swings

How You Can Take Time for Yourself Everyday

Self-care is one of the ways we can take time for ourselves every day. It does not prevent mental illness, and alone it is not a treatment. However, self-care is how we can maintain and improve our mental health in conjunction with pursuing medical or psychological interventions for our mental illness. 

If you have adult ADHD, self-care can teach coping skills that can help you to better navigate the world around you despite your illness. These activities can help you focus on what is important, even when your brain seems jumbled.

There are many ways we can practice self-care. Here are just a few of them:

• Regularly exercising, such as walking 30 minutes a day or taking the stairs whenever possible
• Eating at regular times
• Keeping ourselves hydrated
• Getting the right amount of sleep
• Engaging in relaxing activities such as meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling.
• Setting goals or priorities 
• Expressing gratitude
• Assuming positive intent in situations
• Being a part of a community for emotional support

How Alter Wellness Care Can Support You With Adult ADHD

Reaching out and entering treatment can be a scary prospect for anyone. As someone with adult ADHD, you may already feel like you do not have control over your life. The idea of surrendering what control you have left can seem overwhelming. Still, to find recovery, it is necessary to trust in your care team.

At Alter Wellness Care, our care team is here to support you. From the moment you come to our facility, you will find highly structured clinical programs that are made to fit your lifestyle and needs. We provide a combination of interventions that can help you to overcome mental illness and get control of your life back. 

The programs that make up your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs. At Alter Wellness Care, we offer a variety of treatments sure to meet the needs of our clients, including:

• Psychoeducational groups
• Skills development groups
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy groups
• Dialectical behavior therapy groups
• Support groups
• Interpersonal process groups
• Acceptance therapy
• The Seeking Safety model

IOP vs. PHP: What’s the Difference?

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are designed for clients to live offsite and attend group meetings for several hours a day. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), on the other hand, are designed for clients to reside in a treatment facility with a highly structured schedule to facilitate effective treatment and recovery. 

As you enter treatment, one of the biggest decisions you will make with your care team is which type of treatment is right for you. The answer to this will depend on the care you need balanced against the needs of your lifestyle. Whichever treatment style works for you, you will find the support you need from the dedicated care team at Alter Wellness Care.

When ADHD goes undiagnosed in childhood, it can have devastating impacts on your life. Knowing that you have adult ADHD can help to bring consistency and healing to your life and your relationships. Living with adult ADHD can be a challenge, but a path to recovery is possible for you with the right support structure to lift you up. You can find normalcy amid the chaos of ADHD. Whether you need support groups, individual counseling, or a combination of both, the professionals at Alter Wellness Care are here for you when you need them. For help and support with your adult ADHD, call the professionals of Alter Wellness Care today at (866) 311-3510.