ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition that affects both children and adults, influencing their ability to focus, organise and more. It can be a difficult condition to navigate, especially when it comes to your loved ones as it requires unique approaches and plenty of patience. In this blog post, we’re exploring some ways you can provide support to your love ones struggling with ADHD.

What is ADHD?

Symptoms of ADHD

Someone with ADHD won’t show all of these symptoms and may show one symptom and not the other. Age is also a big factor in the kinds of ADHD symptoms presented. Younger children are likely to be more hyperactive and whereas adults may deal with symptoms like inattentiveness. It’s important to note that symptoms are more subtle in adults too.

Here are some symptoms that are common amongst those with ADHD.

• Easily distracted
• Difficulty listening
• Struggles to follow instructions
• Difficulty focusing
• Short attention span
• Becomes bored easily
• Losing or forgetting things
• Difficulty concentrating

How You Can Provide Support

Here are some ways you can provide your loved one with support:

Encourage open communication

It’s important that you create and a safe and welcoming space when trying to encourage open communication between you and your loved one with ADHD. Give your full attention when they are talking and avoid interrupting them mid sentence to allow them to express their opinions and thoughts fully. Avoid rushing them, and create an environment where they can express themselves without fear of judgement.

Set rules & boundaries

By setting rules and boundaries, you are forming a sense of predictability and routine that is highly beneficial for those with ADHD.  It reduces any feelings of anxiety and manages symptoms such as impulsiveness. You can use tools like planners, checklists and organisers to help retain their focus and remember things better. You can even create things like reward charts to reward positive behaviour.

Collaborate with them

To foster a supportive environment, collaborate with those who have ADHD in daily activities or when trying solve issues. You can do this by engaging them in problem solving discussions. Start with situations with smaller challenges and guide them in figuring out the problem and solution. Encourage them to advocate their needs and preferences with others and work with them to prioritise and organise tasks.

Patience & understanding

It can be tricky understanding someone with ADHD and can often bring along feelings of frustration when their symptoms present themselves. It’s vital that you try your hardest to stay patient, and focus on the positives. Those with ADHD also feel self doubt or low esteem at a much higher level than others, so it’s important to avoid any negativity towards them and trigger symptoms like impulsiveness.

Diet & exercise

Maintaining a balanced diet is not only healthy for those who deal with ADHD, but is a necessity in general. A healthy diet can make the symptoms of ADHD manageable. Limit foods high in sugar such as chocolate or caffeine as they can affect alertness and the ability to focus or concentration. Exercise is just as necessary as a healthy diet, it can improve one’s mood and help with sleeping a sufficient amount of hours.