Experts Highlight Adult ADHD Awareness During October

HARRISONBURG, Va. — October is a critical month for raising awareness about ADHD, particularly in adults. Local professionals are sharing insights on how this disorder manifests and what strategies can help individuals manage it effectively in their daily lives.

“When we think about ADHD as a disorder, we’re looking at problems with inhibitory control, essentially the ability to have functioning brakes on the brain,” said Nicholas C. Boston, Psy.D., with Valley Health. He explained that working memory is similarly affected, acting like a mental dry-erase board that holds information for immediate tasks.

Traditionally, ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, often after a consultation with a primary doctor. However, Boston notes that many adults are finding out about their ADHD only later in life. “There are adults who were high-functioning as kids but now, as adults, are seeing attentional problems that were never identified,” he said.

Boston cautions that not all attention issues stem from ADHD. Factors such as sleep quality, nutrition, exercise, and life stressors can also impact focus. “In adulthood, we need to consider if we have good sleep hygiene or if stress is affecting our attention,” he added.

For those diagnosed with ADHD, it is important to understand that there are different subtypes, including inattentive and hyperactive types. “It’s been termed ADHD as a single diagnosis, but you can have different presentations,” Boston explained.

Holly Humphreys, an LPC at Thriveworks, discussed common symptoms, particularly in hyperactive individuals. “A classic symptom is leaving a trail of unfinished tasks. It’s easy to hyper-focus on one thing, forget about others, and end up overwhelmed,” she said.

Humphreys provided an example: “If you plan to unload the dishwasher but end up reorganizing a messy cabinet, it can turn your kitchen into a disaster zone without completing any of the original tasks.” She highlighted that an inability to stay on task is a common ADHD symptom.

Another overlooked symptom in adulthood is impulsive behavior, including impulse buying. “You might order something online on a whim without considering it first,” she noted.

Humphreys emphasized the importance of support for those with ADHD. “Encourage them to use calendars or sticky notes as reminders. Sending a text or leaving a note can help them stay organized,” she advised.

Both Boston and Humphreys recommend a combination of therapy and medication for effective management of ADHD. “It’s essential not to rely on medication alone; reaching out to a therapist can provide additional strategies and support,” Boston concluded.