Obstacles and Challenges in the Treatment of Adult ADHD

Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is more common than many older Americans realize, and the effects can be debilitating. For many patients, symptoms of ADHD weigh on them tremendously for years before they finally decide to seek out treatment.

But what is it that makes it so difficult for sufferers of adult ADHD in particular to find relief and workable solutions to their unique challenges? This is partly due to the paradoxical nature of ADHD—for example, a person with ADHD may be able to focus intently on certain activities, and yet may be unable to complete everyday tasks. As it turns out, ADHD itself keeps many from finding proper treatment in the form of therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

The Disorder As An Obstacle to Treatment

Adult ADHD is somewhat unique in that its symptoms often prevent its sufferers from getting the help they need. In a sense, the disorder itself creates obstacles that the patient must overcome before they’ll decide to look for treatment in the first place.

This can happen in a few distinct ways. To begin with, those living with adult ADHD often find it especially difficult to plan, prioritize, and schedule their day-to- day lives and activities. They may find it more difficult than other people to follow through with their plans.

For many people—not just those with symptoms of adult ADHD—the most difficult part of treatment is taking the first step or making it to the first appointment. For those who struggle to plan and be proactive, this obstacle is even more pronounced.

ADHD may cause other problems when it comes to treatment, too. For example, some adults living with ADHD may develop negative attitudes toward themselves as a result of their struggles, which may keep them from seeking treatment. Others may be more inclined toward impulsive behaviors, which can include substance abuse and avoidance of treatment.

Other Obstacles

Although the symptoms of adult ADHD may present obstacles for adults seeking treatment, they often represent only one piece of a complex puzzle. For one thing, it’s important to understand that many people are skeptical about ADHD treatments.

They may not believe that they’re truly suffering from the disorder, or they may believe that the available treatments will not be effective for them (or might even cause more harm than good). They might see ADHD as a problem that children have, but not adults. Societal attitudes can play a role in determining whether adults will seek treatment for ADHD, including how seriously their peers or doctors take their concerns.

Therapy and Effective Solutions

The good news is that many options are available for getting around these obstacles. Generally speaking, the best way for adults with ADHD to overcome their concerns or stumbling blocks is to enter treatment. That may sound like an unsolvable puzzle—how can you treat the disorder if it keeps the patient from seeking treatment?

One option is to make treatment more accessible. This is what we do at Cloud Counseling. By making therapy more flexible, easier to access, more comfortable, and less expensive, we remove many of the barriers that keep patients away from treatments. And once a patient begins therapy, those barriers often start to look smaller and smaller by the day.