Five Early Missteps in ADHD Management

Here are five missteps that I see frequently in working with my Global Creative clients.

1. Trying to ‘pin it down before we can proceed’. We want to know exactly what we’re dealing with but ADHD is really hard to pin down and so then we don’t move forward with management.

2. Seeking acceptance or validation from others that you have, in fact, ADHD. People have strong opinions about ADHD where they don’t necessarily have strong opinions about things like depression or anxiety. As you seek acceptance or validation, take it with a grain of salt and balance it with your own lived experience.

3. Embracing a destination thinking mindset. I used to think that I would take my meds, do some behavior modification and things would return to normal. I was so wrong. What I have discovered is that there is a new normal for me. Embracing a journey thinking mindset is very helpful here.

4. Waiting for things to get really bad or waiting for others to complain to then address your ADHD. We are a tenacious lot. We can tolerate a lot. But when we wait for complaints or dissatisfaction from others, often is too late. Spouses have decided to file for divorce, bosses have decided that they want to go in a different direction.

5. Not taking ownership of your own ADHD management. We will often outsource management to others around prioritization and task management or holding the emotional labor for the family. People will do this for a time, but then they will get tired and stop. The greatest gift you can give others is to take ownership of your own ADHD management.