Because attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be a debilitating illness, many people don’t know about the existence of high-functioning ADHD. A person can have ADHD and still function to a high degree in their jobs and at home but still need specialized treatment.
Renewal Oasis created a program that identifies the symptoms of ADHD in a person and provides a diagnosis. From there, our therapists design a menu of therapies to help the individual gain control of their behaviors and thought processes. We match you with therapy modalities that help those with high-functioning ADHD ease their symptoms and regain a sense of control over their lives.
Defining High-Functioning ADHD
People who have ADHD often experience it to such a high degree that it compromises their ability to work, attend school, or engage in healthy relationships. Stereotypes show many people with ADHD obsessively turning a light switch on and off or checking to make sure they turned off an appliance a specific number of times.
While this level of the disorder happens to many, some people have high-functioning ADHD. This level of ADHD allows a person to function fairly well at home, on the job, and in school. They are not incapacitated on the level of those who are not high functioning.
While an individual with high-functioning ADHD has fewer symptoms or less severe ones, they still find their lives impacted by their illness. The person may have learned coping mechanisms to help reduce their symptoms and make their lives more manageable. Still, they need professional treatment to help them learn more effective ways to ease their symptoms and not find life events so challenging.
People who have ADHD can ask their employers to provide workplace accommodations to help them perform their duties better. Not everyone with ADHD needs this type of assistance, but it proves quite helpful for others.
Signs & Symptoms of High-Functioning ADHD
Many of the signs and symptoms of high-functioning ADHD are the same as with regular ADHD. The difference is the person may experience them less often or to a lesser degree than others. Common signs include:
- Difficulty managing time and schedules
- Easily distracted
- Jumping from one task or conversation to another one without completing the first one
- Feeling invincible
- Poor impulse control
- Procrastinating
- Fidgeting when required to sit or stand still for a long time
- Achieving promotions at work and multiple educational degrees
- Forgetting appointments
- Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence
While high functioning is not a formal diagnosis for someone with ADHD, mental health counselors recognize the signs. Anyone who suspects they may have high-functioning ADHD should consult their doctor or a licensed therapist. They can discuss their symptoms and how they impact their lives. If they have this disorder, a treatment plan can be created to help the person feel more in control.
Treatment for High-Functioning ADHD
People with high-functioning ADHD can find evidence-based treatment that dramatically reduces their symptoms. Some people do well attend residential treatment, which requires them to live in a facility temporarily while receiving focused care. With high-functioning ADHD, outpatient care may be the answer. With this level of care, the individual travels to a facility for their treatment sessions but doesn’t have to move out of their home.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps many people with ADHD learn more about themselves and how to change. They learn to identify their specific feelings and thoughts and connect them to the resulting behaviors. CBT helps people learn to pay attention and fight their urges to behave impulsively. The therapist providing CBT can do so in an individual or group setting. They teach the individual to view the challenges in their daily lives and target healthy and productive ways to address them. While all symptoms of ADHD may not be eliminated, many can be minimized and controlled.
Family therapy brings together family members, partners, and close friends who want guidance to learn how to support their loved ones. The therapist leads the sessions and helps everyone express themselves and learn better communication skills.
Group therapy brings together people with similar disorders and creates an atmosphere of peer support. They meet in small groups under the guidance of a counselor and express their emotions and challenges. This helps them find ways to ease their symptoms and feel hopeful about their ability to move in a positive direction.
Prescription medications can greatly reduce a person’s ADHD behaviors and make them feel more in control. The prescribing physician may recommend antidepressants, stimulants, or non-stimulant drugs. Their usage should be monitored for how well they work and any resulting side effects. The clinician can make adjustments to the dosage or change the medication itself if needed.
Contact Renewal Oasis About Our ADHD Treatment
Do you recognize yourself as having high-functioning ADHD and want to know your options for treatment? Renewal Oasis understands the different levels of ADHD and provides treatment for them. Our residential program works well for people who need round-the-clock care, while our outpatient program suits the needs of those who don’t need the structure of that type of plan. If you have high-functioning ADHD, you probably have questions about how a treatment program can make a difference in your life. Don’t put off asking for help another day.
Contact us today for answers to your questions about what therapies can help you reduce your symptoms of ADHD and make you feel more in control. Our admissions staff is ready to talk to you and help you get on the road to recovery.
Published: 12/10/2024
