How to Control Your ADHD
When we talk about controlling ADHD, it most often brings to mind images of self-restraint or suppressing one’s high levels of energy, but it’s time for a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be in control when you have ADHD
We’ve created a series of articles on strategies and approaches to manage your ADHD.
The first way to be in control is by seeking out learning opportunities that match with your cognitive style. This starts with a shift in perspective from seeing ADHD as a problem to seeing ADHD as an attentional focus that either matches or mismatches with your current environment. By being open to exploring different situations and becoming aware of which situations allow you to excel, it will help you tailor your environment to work for you.
We also recognize that it’s not always possible or preferable to choose your environment, so the second way to be in control is by making changes to the tasks that you are doing to align with your strengths. This can involve choosing to work on tasks that are inherently interesting to you, doing hands-on work, signing up for high-stress or fast-paced activities, or thinking creatively about how to make tasks more engaging.
Lastly, there are likely times when you will have to do tasks that are less inherently interesting but still require high levels of focus and concentration. To prepare for these tasks it can be helpful to engage in cognitive treatment such as EndeavorOTC to enhance your focus as well as using evidence-based strategies that promote healthy thinking patterns and behaviors to further improve concentration.
