Do you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with ADHD? While there are a number of ADHD treatment options available for people diagnosed with this disorder, loved ones may wonder what they can do to help. People diagnosed and living with ADHD can feel misunderstood. So, having loved ones and family there for support and understanding can really help on the journey towards treatment and symptom management. Fortunately, there are a few things loved ones of people with ADHD can do to support them and their treatment journey.

Understanding What ADHD and Treatment Looks Like

ADHD is often misconceived as many think it’s something that defines a person that cannot concentrate or sit still. However, ADHD is actually a mental health condition that comes with a wide range of symptoms that don’t necessarily look the same from person to person. In reality, ADHD is a mental health condition that affects mental skills including memory, self-control, time management, and mental flexibility. Furthermore, ADHD can include psychological impairments which can make making and maintaining relationships challenging.

Supporting a loved one who is diagnosed with ADHD can help the individual diagnosed with this mental health issue to gain the encouragement and confidence needed to get help. Treatment services can provide ongoing care in order to manage symptoms of ADHD and learn more about it in order to control behaviors and understand how this condition works.

Some ways you can support a loved one with ADHD can include:

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

If you are able to recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD, you may be able to bring these to the attention of the person you suspect may be living with this condition. This can provide them with the information they need to reach out for help. Some of the signs and symptoms of ADHD can include:

• trouble with time management
• forgetting things
• lack of self-motivation
• moments of being hyperactive
• impulsiveness
• trouble focusing
• impaired emotion management

It’s important, as a loved one of someone who is exhibiting these behaviors, to understand that these behaviors are not intentional. If they’re due to ADHD, these symptoms are a sign that your loved one has a condition that impacts brain functioning, which is out of their control. These are not personality traits or behaviors that they are choosing. They are a result of a brain that functions differently.

Encourage a Routine

Having a set, a daily schedule can help people with ADHD. People living with this condition can become overwhelmed with emotions that may seemingly appear out of nowhere according to how their brain functions. So, it can help to have a set routine that can be followed regardless of the emotions and feelings that occur. This can reduce the chance of a person with ADHD conducting behaviors as the result of emotions they may not be willing to manage. Additionally, setting a routine can help with a structure that is good for helping with concentration. Examples of a positive routine may include going to bed and getting up at the same time every night, eating at specific times during the day, and establishing an exercise schedule.

Provide an Area That Wards Off Distraction

Being distracted can impair executive function, which can worsen ADHD symptoms and make concentrating even harder. So, it can help for a person with ADHD to have an area in the home that’s free from distraction in order to complete tasks including paying bills, doing homework, etc. Make sure this space is not a common area for others to feel free to go and please as they want. And, includes positive stimulation that many with ADHD require to do work (for example, background music or workout equipment).

ADHD Treatment Options at Yellowbrick

At Yellowbrick, we help people with ADHD establish ADHD treatment options that work for them. Additionally, we help loved ones of people living with ADHD provide optimal support in order to encourage their loved ones to stay on top of treatment. Find out more about our treatment services and the ADHD treatment options we make available from our website.