Finding Focus: Encouragement for Adults with ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a real phenomenon and one of the most common psychiatric conditions that affects both children and adults. While 65% of children who are diagnosed still experience its symptoms into adulthood, many adults with ADHD have never obtained a formal diagnosis.

Whichever of these matches your experience, it is important to know that ADHD isn’t all in your head. By definition, ADHD is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.

In simple terms, that means that adults with ADHD may encounter the following:

• Inattention (inability to stay on task, focused, and organized)
• Hyperactivity (extreme restlessness or talkativeness at inappropriate times), and/or
• Impulsivity (inability to delay gratification without considering long-term consequences).

Children are not the only ones who experience challenges with ADHD. Its presentation varies across developmental periods. Adults are different not only in their stage of development but also in their scope of responsibility.

ADHD symptoms may have surfaced in your life as restlessness, lack of focus, or disorganization in the flow of your day, your work, or the appearance of your home. The following highlight examples of ADHD in adults can impact you both personally and professionally:

• Impatiently finishing others’ statements,
• besieged by anxiety and mental fog when you have an assignment, chores, or project looming ahead, or
• constantly fidget and have trouble remaining still at times when your work and life may require attention to a task.

This can lead to feeling and questioning, “What’s wrong with me?” A quality response encompasses more than just telling yourself to “snap out of it” or “get it together” when overwhelmed by the symptoms and circumstances where ADHD shows up.

You don’t have to internalize shame or scold yourself, but recognize that frustrations experienced among adults with ADHD are rather common. Recognize your need for support. Be gentle with yourself, knowing that God’s compassion outweighs and has the potential to overpower negative perceptions of ADHD.

As Father and Creator, He has fashioned you to serve His ultimate purpose. As you consider your ADHD diagnosis, embrace this as an invitation to walk with the Holy Spirit. Discover what He wants to teach you with the tools you’ve been given.

Your ADHD symptoms and unique skills don’t have to be at odds with one another. The Lord will help you see yourself as He does, making use of the diagnosis to produce uncommon greatness in and through you.

As you present all of yourself to the Lord, you can renew your mind by aligning your vision with God’s. While the symptoms of adult ADHD may have felt like a thorn in your side, the Holy Spirit will give you the wisdom to reimagine that diagnosis.

It doesn’t have to hinder you as you come to realize Who is with you. It is only possible with God to accomplish what you couldn’t on your own. The Truth of God’s Word will transform, helping you to redefine progress and personal success.

Help for adults with ADHD.

Getting acquainted with ADHD can help you to gather tools and resources for treatment. Through this site, you can not only learn more about ADHD but also locate support through individual counseling or groups. Search the site, select a professional counselor, and schedule an appointment. You will find what you need to help you to focus, move forward, and follow through.