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Tell me if this story sounds like you.
You’ve heard that ADHD can be a superpower to leverage to think outside the box and enhance creativity.
Although you’ve seen those upsides, you’ve also felt the downsides.
You’re tired of running full throttle 24/7. It seems like sometimes you’re accomplishing less, by doing more.
You have so many ideas, yet you can’t find the time to turn them into action.
You think big-picture and love to build and create, but the devil is in the details. And you definitely hate them. Meetings, project management, inefficiency, and administrative tasks drag you down and make staying motivated in your career or business difficult.
Is ADHD an Entrepreneur’s Superpower?
Effective Interventions for Adult ADHD
Benefits of Coaching & Therapy for Adult ADHD
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. ADHD can persist through adulthood. However, for some people, their symptoms will lessen through development and successful intervention. Many children will not meet the criteria for ADHD in adulthood.
We don’t yet fully understand the causes and risk factors for ADHD. Yet genetics do play a role. Studies link ADHD to deficits in certain neurotransmitters. Specifically, neurotransmitters that are critical to focus and self-regulation.
Individuals with ADHD may also have difficulty with executive functioning – a key factor in academic and career success. Executive functioning includes many different skills yet generally relates to the brain’s ability to prioritize and manage thoughts and actions, plan and strategize for the future, and self-monitor behavior over time. Individuals with ADHD also often have issues with cognitive flexibility or set-shifting, working memory, processing speed, and sustaining and switching attention.
For adults, ADHD can cause a wide variety of difficulties at school and in the workplace. It can also complicate relationships with family and friends. However, recent research suggests that for certain individuals capable of functioning at higher levels, some symptoms of ADHD may actually contribute to success.
The DSM-5 considers ADHD a clinically diagnosed condition. ADHD typically presents in three different ways: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, and combined.
Five or more of the required symptoms listed below
Several symptoms present before the age of 12
Several symptoms present in two or more settings, (such as at home, school, or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities)
Clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
The DSM-5 considers ADHD a clinically diagnosed condition. ADHD typically presents in three different ways: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, and combined.
Five or more of the following symptoms for at least 6 months (with less than five hyperactive symptoms):
Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in work at home, at work, or in recreational or other activities
Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or recreational activities
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities
Often avoids, dislikes, or seems reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (e.g., detailed and/or long reports).
Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. eyeglasses, keys, wallet, phone, etc.).
Is often easily distracted
Is often forgetful in daily activities and when completing routine tasks (e.g., paying bills, making appointments, returning phone calls)
*Although this is the correct term for this presentation, many people use the non-technical term Attention-deficit disorder or ADD
Five or more of the following symptoms for at least 6 months (with less than 5 inattentive symptoms):
Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or fidgets in seat (may also see nail biting or other similar symptoms)
Often leaves seat or stands in situations when remaining seated is expected
Often feels restless
Often is unable to play or take part in leisure or recreational activities without talking
Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”
Often talks excessively
Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
Often has difficulty waiting on others (e.g., taking turns to speak, waiting in lines, etc.)
Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
This presentation requires all of the basic symptom requirements with FIVE or more of the INATTENTIVE symptoms & FIVE or more of the HYPERACTIVE symptoms continuing for at least six months.
Chronic lateness and forgetfulness (often others mistakenly think this is due to laziness or lack of concern)
Impulsiveness and risk-taking
Difficulty managing emotions – especially anger
Sensation-seeking
Increased risk of anxiety and depression
Difficulties with organization and detail-oriented work (especially when tasks is boring or tedious)
Employment problems
Problems with substance use and behavioral addictions (e.g., gambling, spending, etc.)
OK, please tell me there’s a silver lining . . . .
Although ADHD remains a clinical disorder that has very real problems associated that interfere substantially with people’s day-to-day life and activities, solid research positively links ADHD to entrepreneurial intent and action.
Some have theorized a connection with ADHD and positive benefits for entrepreneurs. Although research cannot currently tell us how this actually holds up in real life, the body of research in this area continues to grow.
Hyperfocus. Those with ADHD have higher levels of energy and focus than others when they are passionate about a project or activity. (Of course, this can also have a more difficult side of struggling to let go when the desired choice isn’t working out).
High energy level. Often people with ADHD have higher levels of energy than others. People with ADHD will often say that they hate being bored more than anything. If they can set their schedule and leverage peak energy times, they can get a lot done. (Often, for people with ADHD it’s figuring out WHAT to put all that energy behind. Making decisions and problem-solving can be more difficult).
Higher risk tolerance and intuition. People with ADHD are often impulsive and take risks. In many industries, it can be very important for entrepreneurs to act fast and be first. Those with ADHD are more comfortable making decisions on intuition and without all the facts and taking risks that can pay off more than playing it safe.
Not afraid of new things and change. Because they get bored easily and tend towards sensation-seeking, those with ADHD are more likely to pursue novel ideas and products and embrace change.
According to CHADD, the most effective interventions for managing ADHD include:
Medication management
Organizational skills training
Behavioral coaching
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (more appropriate if other mental health diagnoses are involved such as anxiety or depression and if the person is having more severe difficulties at work, school, or home)
Learning how to handle difficult thoughts and feelings effectively and strategically
Leveraging your stress response to pivot toward meaningful action
Practicing techniques to handle your mind instead of letting it handle you
Troubleshoot and break self-destructive habits
Increase your sense of confidence and competence
Improving your attention and focus. This lets you target what matters most to you and push through those worries we all have
Motivation and focus to pursue activities, hobbies, situations, and/or relationships you’ve always wanted
Our therapists have helped many highly successful and high-achieving students and professionals manage their ADHD in therapy. But is therapy for ADHD right for you?
CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented form of therapy that helps you change your relationship with your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Once you understand these connections, you can identify what your internal barriers to attention are. After you identify those, then you can start working on the external barriers. Finally, you are then using more advanced skills to address behavior and habit changes for ADHD.
CBT is supported by clinical evidence for adults with ADHD. In general, CBT can be most helpful for individuals experiencing more moderate to severe difficulties at work, school, or home and/or also experiencing other problems, including anxiety-related disorders, major depressive disorder, trauma-related disorders, etc.
ADHD coaching is most appropriate for people with ADHD who are looking to optimize or enhance their performance at work or school and enhance their relationships but ARE NOT experiencing marked or severe problems and do not have another mental or behavioral health disorder (such as anxiety, phobia, trauma, or burnout).
It is also helpful for people who need more frequent support from a provider.
Many psychologists are also very experienced in the techniques used in ADHD coaching, but it may not be an affordable choice if coaching needs to include a great deal of work between sessions (e.g., checking in with you daily on your time-blocking progress) or in-person work (e.g., helping you organize your workspace).
If you opt for an ADHD coach, ensure they are accredited through an organization like the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches or another organization.
Read ADDitude magazine’s article on the difference between CBT and ADHD coaching.
When working with clients in therapy, our adult ADHD psychologists often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or a more modern version of CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Our licensed therapists are clinical psychologists who are often receive training in advanced behavioral techniques. Other techniques, such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), may be used. Habit reversal training (HRT) is frequently used for body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) and tic disorder, which are often comorbid with ADHD.
We believe that these approaches offer our clients the best opportunity to work through ADHD. In therapy, your ADHD therapist will evaluate your specific situation, and we will decide on the therapeutic approach that works best for you.
With ADHD, we often work with psychiatrists and physicians who prescribe medications. Medications are often the first-line treatment for ADHD. We may also recommend neurofeedback from another provider in your area (these services would need to be face-to-face). We can work with clients using some forms of biofeedback (e.g., the Emwave 2 heart rate variability device).
Ultimately, we believe you can manage and leverage your ADHD. This will allow you to be more present in your day-to-day life and do more of what matters to you!
Verify ADHD diagnosis with client including past history of therapy, coaching, and medication management. Obtain releases from all other providers.
Administer behavioral screeners and assessment measures to client, family, and other third parties to verify current functioning with ADHD
Work with client to create a functional assessment of main target behaviors including internal and external triggers or barriers, target behaviors, and consequences that are being maintained.
Work with client to set initial behavioral goals for treatment.
Work with client to address all internal barriers and external barriers.
Help client learn to build and break new habits and high-performance routines using behavioral science principles.
Monitor client’s progress throughout.
Executive coaching for ADHD is evidence-based coaching using ACT coaching techniques along with behavioral coaching. It is different than “ADHD Coaching”.
If you are interested in executive coaching, please check out Dr. Newman’s executive coaching page. Executive coaching for executives with ADHD is typically more comprehensive and includes a broader scope that’s focused on delivering results in your career. It usually involves a big focus on more complex skills acquisition in areas like decision-making, problem-solving, negotiation, assertiveness, etc.
Time management and organizational strategies can be added, but if that’s all you need, a general executive functioning coach would likely be a better fit.
Executive coaching services are more expensive than therapy given that there is frequent communication outside of sessions through text, Slack, or sometimes Voxer, which is not done in therapy. Coaching is an entirely different profession and uses different methods. Coaching is typically purchased in 3- to 6-month packages.
ADHD does not have to be a negative diagnosis. Our team of skilled ADHD therapists at Momentum Psychology is here to help you harness the hidden powers of ADHD and work towards reaching your full potential professionally and personally. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods that include ACT, DBT, CBT, and Trauma-Informed Practices.
We currently offer online ADHD Therapy in North Carolina and all PSYPACT states, including, but not limited to North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Georgia.
If you are ready to take control of your life and build momentum toward a bright future, follow the steps below to get started.
Get to know more about our skilled team of therapists here.
Fill out our convenient online contact form.
Schedule an intake appointment with one of our available therapists.
Begin the journey toward regaining control of your life.
As well as having extensive training and experience in the treatment of burnout and stress-related issues, our team of therapists also offers a wide variety of online therapy services in North Carolina and all PSYPACT states. We work with lawyers, entrepreneurs, students, parents, and teens who are dealing with ADHD, trauma and loss, anxiety and panic, depression, and life transitions. We also offer SPACE, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. Our goal is to help you find success both professionally and personally so you can gain momentum to excel in a bright future.
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References
ADDitude Magazine – Adult ADHD Section
Professional Association for ADHD Coaches
Momentum Psychology’s resources are for informational purposes only and are not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any medical and/or mental health disease or condition. Our resources do not imply nor establish any type of therapist-client relationship. The information should not be considered a substitute for consultation with qualified mental health or medical provider who could best evaluate and advise based on a careful evaluation.
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