ADHD and Productivity
Everyone may experience the inability to focus: feeling impulsive and hyperactive can affect productivity at some point in your life. It doesn’t automatically mean you have ADHD. However, when these behaviors are present, persistent and causing disruption in the daily on goings of your life, there may be cause for further investigation. ADHD affects productivity in both school aged children and adults.
ADHD Affects Productivity in School Aged Children
The productivity of school aged children is greatly affected by those with ADHD. An estimated 8.4% of children have ADHD. Both boys and girls are equally affected by ADHD, however, boys are more commonly diagnosed because of how it shows up. Boys tend to show outward symptoms of hyperactivity while girls tend to be more inactive. Whether it’s inability to focus on what the teacher is saying or being disruptive, both characteristics of ADHD play a role in disruption of productivity for school aged children with ADHD.
ADHD Affects Productivity in Adults
ADHD also affects productivity in adults. It occurs in 2.5% of adults and diagnosis can be difficult because mood and anxiety disorders can often mimic ADHD. And many adults that do have ADHD will suffer from other mental health challenges as well. Those with ADHD will have problems planning their day, time management and forgetting prior arranged commitments. It can even show up as impatience and mood swings which can have a detrimental effect on work relationships and productivity.
There Are Solutions to Help Those With ADHD
Whether a grade school child having problems in class or an adult struggling in the workplace, suffering from ADHD can make it feel like you can’t succeed in life, pursue your dreams or accomplish goals. This simply is not true. There are some helpful strategies you can work with your therapist on to accomplish more productivity for all members of your family.
Solutions for Productivity and ADHD in Children
In order to meet the challenges of raising a child with ADHD, you must to be able to master a combination of compassion and consistency. It’s important to establish routines and clear boundaries. Having set times for certain activities, chores and homework can be helpful for children to know what is expected of them. It’s also important for parents to have realistic expectations. It can be very stressful managing a child with ADHD and learning to let the small things go can be helpful to keeping a calm environment. Although some days may seem impossibly difficult, you don’t have to do it all alone. There are many support groups and therapists available to help ADHD families navigate life.
Solutions For Productivity in ADHD Adults
Adults who suffer from ADHD will often struggle with productivity due to having a hard time with time management, keeping appointments, focusing on tasks and finishing projects just to name a few. These things can have a huge negative impact in the workplace and in your home life. For some with ADHD behaviors can even include trouble with drugs, alcohol and the law.
There are many tips that can be implemented into your life which can be very helpful with productivity. Keeping a schedule that you follow and writing lists of your priorities for the day can be helpful in facilitating a high level of productivity. Try to make the top thing on your list something you can complete 100% to set you up for success with completing the rest of the tasks on your list. Lastly, do something that is soothing and relaxing every day. Meditation is a great activity to accomplish this because of its effects on slowing down your brain waves.
If you, your family member or someone you know has ADHD our therapists at West Wellness would love to help you navigate your journey to better health and productivity.
References:
Self, Isabel O’Carroll, March 18, 2020 “I Have ADHD. Here Are 9 Productivity Tips That Really Help Me” https://www.self.com/story/adhd-productivity-hacks
American Psychiatry Associate, 2022, “What is ADHD?”, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
Mayo Clinic, Adult ADHD, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878#:~:text=Adults%20with%20ADHD%20may%20find,Impulsiveness
Help Guide, “ADHD Parenting Tips”, August 28, 2022