Phillips-Challenges of ADHD

 Challenges Within ADHD

Challenges & Solutions

ADHD can have many challenges for individuals ranging from childhood up to adulthood. It can be essential to understand the daily hurdles this population has to jump over in order to gain a better perspective of the person as a whole without unmindful judgment and also help find solutions to better assist them. With ADHD being a neurocognitive disorder, this includes a combination of persistent problems surrounding attention and hyperactivity. There are challenges such as having difficulty paying attention, being hyperactive in different settings and presenting impulsive behavior. Looking at these symptoms, there can be challenges that arise in multiple areas such as school for example. Individuals with ADHD can begin to show symptoms in early childhood and when looking at the symptoms such as a child not having the ability to concentrate in a school setting, there can be a challenge of that child having a hard time with understanding the material and keeping up with the work. Then looking into the daily lives of an adult with ADHD, the symptoms can still occur but they may not be as clear as symptoms in a child. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but struggles with impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention may continue (Mayo Clinic, 2019). With these struggles still being exhibited in adulthood,  challenges of adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems (Mayo Clinic, 2019). The best solution for someone dealing with ADHD and the challenges that can come along with it would typically surround the idea of treatment options such as medication, psychotherapy alongside treatment any mental health conditions that occur along with ADHD.

Challenges & Issues for Family Members

Challenges that can occur with ADHD for other family members are based on the different stages of life that it has been identified.  The adverse effects of ADHD upon children and their families changes from the preschool years to primary school and adolescence, with varying aspects of the disorder being more prominent at different stages (Harpin, 2005). Looking at different age ranges such as a elementary school child with presenting symptoms of ADHD compared to an adolescent with ADHD can vary as far as the relationship with family members functions. For example, family members such as parents can have issues with trying to keep their child cooperative, but with the symptoms of ADHD such as having a moderate level of hyperactivity can make that task more challenging for the parents. Many children with ADHD have very poor sleep patterns, and although they appear not to need much sleep, daytime behavior is often worse when sleep is badly affected. As a result, parents have little time to themselves; whenever the child is awake they have to be watching them (Harpin, 2005). There is also the concern from parents about their child's academics as they get older when talking about ADHD because there can be that lack of concentration which is a symptom aligned with inattention. Not having that focus can possibly lead to a decline in grades and more pressure on the parents from the teachers to help their child do better in school. One other challenge for family members can be with the siblings and their emotions. Siblings reported feeling victimized by aggressive acts from their ADHD brothers through overt acts of physical violence, verbal aggression, and manipulation and control. Furthermore, as a result of the ADHD symptoms and consequent disruption, many siblings described feeling anxious, worried, and sad (Harpin, 2005). This can have a major effect on the relationship or bond between the siblings and possibly lead them to not having as strong of a relationship due to the wide range of emotions.

Societal Issues Awareness & Solutions

In society, a disorder such as ADHD can be looked down upon because it may be seen as "abnormal" to others such as peers, co-workers, etc. With there being judgment made towards individuals with ADHD, this can lead to other issues arriving throughout their daily lives. Looking at at an the adult life, there seems to be a big issue with trying to be accepted in different settings such as the workplace. Adults with ADHD are more likely to be dismissed from employment and have often tried a number of jobs before being able to find one at which they can succeed (Harpin, 2005). If someone is able to find a job that possibly suits them, there is the issue of developing interpersonal relationships with employers and colleagues based on the interactions. An adult with ADHD in the workplace may have a difficult time interacting with others because they may show symptoms of impulsiveness during a conversation or they may get distracted when being told something important. Others may consider this as inconsiderate but may not understand what the individual is going through. This can also be applied to other settings such as school with other classmates, which can lead to exclusion from different activities. Overall, there can be a lack of understanding or acceptance at times within society that can lead to the individuals with ADHD feeling down about themselves and not knowing how to feel accepted into society in general. With these issues, a logical solution could be for others to possibly educate themselves on this disorder and use what they've learned to apply towards being more aware of the challenges that these individuals are trying to adhere through daily. Showing genuine compassion and understanding within society can hopefully create a domino effect towards there being less judgment and making ADHD not become an abnormal situation. 

References

Mayo Clinic. (2019, June 22). Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878#:~:text=Adults%20with%2n.d.HD%20may%20find,swings%20and%20outbursts%20of%20anger. 

Harpin, V. A. (2005, February 1). The effect of ADHD on the life of an individual, their family, and community from preschool to adult life. Archives of Disease in Childhood. Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://adc.bmj.com/content/90/suppl_1/i2