Top 25 ADDitude Articles on Adult ADHD

Written by Ellen Littman, Ph.D.

Typically, brains without ADHD can self-regulate confidently and control their behavior accordingly. However, ADHD brains operate differently and don't adapt as smoothly. These brains are driven by a unique quest for optimal stimulation, irrespective of what others perceive as important. The level of arousal in these individuals varies based on whether the attention request arises from an internal desire or an external command. It is crucial to understand that these individuals are not consciously choosing to neglect external demands, even if it may seem so.

Composed by William Dodson, M.D., LF-APA

ADHD is an around-the-clock condition and doesn't fade away at bedtime. The belief that ADHD causes sleep disturbances, which sounds reasonable, has only recently been backed by scientific research. Approximately 75% of adults with ADHD struggle with 'switching off' their minds to fall asleep, let alone staying asleep and waking up. The problem of sleep in children and adolescents with ADHD was first seriously studied by Thomas Brown, as stated by William Dodson, M.D.

Composed by Susan Lasky, M.A., BCC, SCAC

Some individuals are able to force their brains to concentrate when needed. However, for those with ADHD, the advice to 'just focus' is extremely frustrating, as this is simply not possible. Forcing focus is not the solution, but creating the right physical and mental environment for it to thrive is the key. To do this, one must collaborate with their ADHD brain and amalgamate the factors which aid their focus.

Written by Gina Pera

What is the ideal Adderall dosage for adults? Should it be altered over time? What are the indications of an ineffective dose? Due to the numerous questions and misunderstandings that persist - even in the medical community - it's crucial that patients research dosing for Adderall and similar ADHD medication before using them for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD).

Written by Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D.

Two major emotional challenges in ADHD originate from the brain. Sometimes, the working memory impairments of ADHD cause a single emotion to overpower the brain. Other times, individuals with ADHD seem to be insensitive or unaware of others' emotions. Connectivity networks in the brain that relay emotional information appear to be slightly weaker in individuals with ADHD.

Written by Carl Sherman, Ph.D.

The ADA is a federal law that safeguards adults with disabilities, including ADHD, from discrimination in the workplace and mandates employers to provide reasonable accommodations. However, the extent of these protections and how they can be impacted by the company's situation and size should also be understood.

Written by Melissa Orlov

Unpredictable temperaments and communication issues in your relationship may stem from inadequately managed ADHD symptoms. Recapturing romance and happiness in a relationship after years of harm requires each partner to view ADHD-induced challenges in a new light. Both parties should work on systems and treatments to manage ADHD symptoms, and eventually, the admirable traits of their partner will dominate their perception. The effort is indeed rewarding.

Written by Bob Seay and Nancy Ratey, Ed.M.

ADHD patients have brains that are chemically structured to always seek more, due to their lower dopamine levels - a neurotransmitter and hormone responsible for feelings of reward and motivation. As John Ratey, M.D., a psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School, explains, "Consumption of carbohydrates prompts a dopamine surge in the brain, initiating a craving for the satiety sensation". Advice on how to leverage diet, exercise and ADHD medication for managing cravings and promoting better mental and physical health is provided.

Penned by Mark Bertin, M.D.

"We frequently exist in a state of distracted autopilot, not paying heed to our moment-to-moment experiences or actions. We fall into habits and reactivity, responding as we usually do, without any thought. Being oblivious to what's happening presently can have significant effects. In contrast, through mindfulness, we strive our imperfect best to pay compassionate, impartial awareness to our lives, moment by moment."

Penned by ADDitude Editors

Adults with ADHD possess powerful attributes such as empathy, energy, creativity, and hyperfocus. These natural skills could be your key to establishing a fulfilling and successful career. Therefore, this article explores 16 ideal jobs for adults with ADHD. It's curated by ADDitude editors who meticulously considered your strengths, ADHD inclusive.

An author Linda Roggli, PCC, shares valuable insights following an ADDitude survey involving more than 700 participants. The survey explored the impact ADHD has on marriages, revealing stark contrasts between partners. Despite the challenges, such as communication breakdowns, emotional shifts, and forgetfulness, many couples have grown closer after acknowledging these differences.

Carl Sherman, Ph.D., J. Russell Ramsay, Ph.D., and Karen Barrow, delve into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Originally developed for mood disorders, CBT aims to modify irrational thought patterns, improving the self-perception of patients and their outlooks towards their abilities and the future. It equips adults with ADHD with coping strategies to deal with negativity, and helps untangle disruptive behavior patterns.

Nathaly Pesantez dispells the myth that military service isn't suitable for persons with ADHD. She argues that teens and young adults who flourish in high-energy environments, think creatively as team members, and prefer clear expectations and discipline, can thrive in military careers. Therefore, she perceives the military's restrictions on recruits with ADHD as a setback.

Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D., has noticed a trend in her 20-year therapy career where clients with ADHD report being victims of gaslighting in relationships or work environments. She suggests that educating oneself about this type of emotional abuse offers the best defense. Adults with ADHD are often particularly susceptible to gaslighting, which can affect self-esteem. However, recovery is possible after having lived months or even years under gaslighting.

Masking, where people with ADHD and other conditions such as autism hide their symptoms from others, is explored by Sharon Saline, Psy.D., and the ADDitude editors. They note that masking can often result in the under-reporting of symptoms and impact diagnostic evaluations. Initially a useful coping strategy, it often becomes hard to sustain, prevents people from expressing their true identities, and efficacy in social or work situations reduced over time.

Authors Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo talk about the tendency of ADHD individuals to keep moving, albeit from one crisis to another. Despite this habit being difficult to break, they reassure ADHD individuals that they don't need to follow traditional meditation methods to attain mindfulness. ADHD individuals can meditate and find peace in their way.

Alan P. Brown discusses the difficulties ADHD individuals face in tempering their emotions. Heightened responses to slight setbacks and frequent struggles with frustration, impatience, and excitability are common. However, he provides assurance that defenses can be built against strong emotions, thereby facilitating forward movement.

By Lidia Zylowska, M.D.

“Integrative medicine is growing in popularity because it’s a treatment approach that addresses symptoms and promotes general health and wellness. It considers the whole person and leverages all options — holistic thinking, complementary therapies, and conventional treatments — in devising a patient’s care plan.”

By ADDitude Editors

Poor nutrition can worsen ADHD symptoms in adults and children, but natural therapies — ranging from nutrition and vitamins and herbs and fish oil — can positively supplement your ADHD treatment plan. “Parents and adults see me either because the ADHD medication isn’t doing the job, or they want more improvement and can’t increase the dosage without increasing side effects,” says Richard Brown, M.D., associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Here are 10 of the most popular natural ADHD remedies — and research findings for each.

By June Silny

“People with ADHD are masters at task avoidance. While waiting for inspiration, we eat, binge-watch, scroll through social media, and do other activities that soothe our aching soul. My distraction routine usually means a dash to the kitchen for cookies, chocolate, or coffee. Even while working on this article, I had already polished my nails, eaten a bag of chips, and checked my e-mail since starting to write earlier this morning. Eventually, I realize I’m trying to disguise the feeling of failure.”

By Beth Main

When it comes to obsessive thoughts, “just try harder” isn’t a solution. The harder people with ADHD try to ignore their obsessive thoughts, the more persistent these thoughts tend to become. With racing minds that are always turned on, it’s no wonder we’re prone to rumination. Instead of “trying harder,” Beth Main presents ideas that might work better.

By James M. Greenblatt, M.D., and Bill Gottlieb, CHC

“Just about every aspect of neurotransmission — the movement of information from brain cell to brain cell that supports every thought, emotion, and action — is affected by omega-3s. Omega-3s also protect the brain by decreasing low-grade inflammation, the chronic cellular fire that can singe brain cells. Bottom line: A deficiency of omega-3s is bad news for a child’s or adult’s brain. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate a diet with a ratio of about 2 to 1 omega-6s to omega-3s. Today, we eat a diet with the ratio of 15 to 1. This double whammy — a barrage of omega-6s and a paucity of omega-3s — is a little-recognized factor in the symptoms of ADHD.”

By Edward Hallowell, M.D.

“ADHD and sex: It’s a topic almost no one writes about, even though almost every adult with ADHD I’ve treated has had an ADHD-related sexual problem. One of the most common complaints is a lack of sexual intimacy. By this, I don’t mean no sex, but sex that doesn’t foster genuine emotional intimacy. Good sex is possible only if both partners in an ADHD marriage feel relaxed and playful — and are capable of shutting out the outside world to savor the moment. That isn’t easy for adults with ADHD.”

By Elizabeth Broadbent

“No single app on the market can replace that gratifying feeling of writing down a task or appointment, assigning it a deadline, and then physically crossing it off,” writes Elizabeth Broadbent. “Something inside the ADHD brain lights up when we put pen to paper — that much we can (mostly) agree on.”

We asked ADDitude readers, “What products or apps do you use to manage your time?” The answer came back loud and clear: paper planners. These are your top picks.

By ADDitude Editors

ADHD’s trademark hyperfocus comes in handy for scientists, writers, and artists who focus for hours on end. People with ADHD are astoundingly generous and ultra-motivated to please the people they care about. The most significant societal advances, like the invention of the lightbulb, were established after hundreds of failures and someone’s willingness to take risks. Yes, ADHD is something to be proud of, and there are endless examples to prove it.