When problems come up in your
life, are you able to move forward in a thoughtful and solution-focused way, or
do you get stuck? For some adults with ADHD, the procedure of
problem-solving becomes so devastating—too many uncertainty and options that
they have trouble moving forward. Hence, no resolution is reached at all. They might
even feel a sense of paralysis—wanting to move forward, eager to make a
decision around the trouble, but eventually unable to do either.
Too many possibilities and
thoughts can also cause you to become derailed so the original problem may even
get lost. This can certainly create even more feelings of self-doubt in your
ability to resolve the problem at hand successfully. At times individuals with
ADHD have a hard time drawing from past experiences and this can make
problem-solving more complex, as well.
For other adults with ADHD, an
unplanned and impulsive reaction ends up being regretted afterward. Rather than
being considerate about the solution, the person goes with the initial decision
that comes to mind, though the decision might not be the most suitable one. If
any of these patterns sound familiar, it can help to follow some easy tips to
help you make a superior decision when faced with an issue. Here are some steps
to efficient problem-solving.
- Brainstorm a list of potential solutions. Let your creative juices flow. Do not prioritize or judge any of the solutions yet, just jot them all down.
- Try to get as particular as possible. Do not be uncertain to ask for help from a reliable friend if you are feeling uncertain. Sure it sounds easy, but at times it is hard to boil things down to the core.
- Spend some time going through your catalog of options and prioritize one to try first. Spend a trial period evaluating if this solution is working. If things are not working like you had hope, try to sort through what might be creating obstacles. Also, enlist the help of a reliable friend who might be able to give you a fuller picture of what is occurring. At times it can be tough to see the entire picture when you are so close to the trouble. Do not ever feel ashamed or afraid to ask for help when you require it.
- Once
you have the problem recognized and have generated potential solutions, it
is not unusual to start to feel a bit overburdened with all the
obstructions that might get in the way of solving it. If this occurs
frequently, the most obliging thing to do is break the obstacles down into
smaller and more manageable chunks, then brainstorm solutions to each one
of them independently.
Hadar Swersky being an expert in this says that you do not always
have to solve problem on your own. Seeking the help of reliable friends and
family, or a ADHD coach or counselor , can help offer you added strategies
for improving problem-solving skills as well as greater confidence as you work
together to come up with planned solutions. A mental health expert may also recommend
certain medications, to help advance several of the ADHD symptoms that may be
interfering with your problem-solving abilities.