The Benefits of Counselling for Individuals with ADHD

The Benefits of Counselling for Individuals with ADHD

As someone who frequently works with young adults who have a disability, I have often encountered persons who have experienced challenges due to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some of these challenges may include difficulties surrounding time management and organization, critical views about themselves, difficulty focusing and sometimes conditions that occur alongside ADHD such as anxiety or depression (CHADD, n.d.). Moreover, the effects of these symptoms can affect individuals in many ways such as missing deadlines at work or school and may even put a strain on relationships due to impulsive behaviour (CHADD, n.d.; National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). If these symptoms occur over a long period of time, then an individual may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD and might consider getting tested if these symptoms have persisted longer than six months (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024).

Counselling can be beneficial for adults with ADHD as it can help individuals receive support that is tailored to their individual needs. This can include support with helping a client to learn more about ADHD so that the client can get a better understanding of how ADHD may affect them. In addition, some individuals with ADHD may struggle with feelings of shame (Dodson, 2022), and counselling can provide a non-judgemental environment where the person can share their feelings about their own experiences and expectations for themselves. In addition to understanding ADHD, accessing counselling may also help with feelings of anger (Dodson, 2022) that may come with a diagnosis of ADHD which may sometimes be taken out on others who are close to the individual and could affect their relationships.

Counselling can help with:

• Assisting the client with determining new time management strategies.

• Figuring out what triggers responses of anger that could lead to the client becoming emotional. This could also include coping techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.

• Goals setting skills can be developed.

• Managing behaviour that can be impulsive and have negative consequences.

For anyone who is trying to manage ADHD, counselling can be an important tool that can be used to gain better clarity about the condition and to learn how to manage the symptoms. 

References

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). (n.d.). About ADHD – Overview. CHADD. https://d393uh8gb46l22.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/aboutADHD.pdf

Dodson, W. (2022, August 24). ADHD and the Epidemic of Shame. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/adhd-and-shame/

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024, September). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd