By Rebecca Jeanna
Children who are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often don’t outgrow it. In fact, symptoms of ADHD can manifest throughout adult life in different ways. Psychologists from the University of Washington School of Medicine recently found that only 10% of children with ADHD completely overcome it. As adults, they may continue to have inattentive symptoms like forgetfulness, disorganization, or trouble concentrating on a task.
Those who were hyperactive, impulsive children won’t continue to be running around when they’re grown up; instead, they may have to manage verbal impulsivity, difficulty with decision-making, and a habit of not thinking before acting. Medication and therapy, along with healthy coping skills, are often the focal points of ADHD management.
However, medical researchers and healthcare professionals are slowly trying to move away from the pharmacological approach. Assistive technologies can now provide patients with ADHD the right tools they need to overcome their symptoms, so they can stay focused and engaged in the day-to-day activities that are part of normal life.
Here are some of the ways in which technology can be leveraged for ADHD management:
Using Games to Accomplish Daily Tasks in ADHD
Some people with ADHD have a unique ability to hyper-focus, which is why they work well in receiving behavioral therapy in a game-based environment, according to studies from Albaha University. Gaming can direct ADHD patients to become aware of introduced obstacles and to overcome them by adapting their behavior and the state of their attention in an ever-changing environment. The key is to trigger emotions through visual stimulus and engagement with a challenging task.
Gamification is the strategic application of game-play elements like scoring, competition with others, and unlocking new quests to motivate users into completing activities. ADHD patients can continue to gamify their lives through technology. If you find you’re more clear-headed and efficient the closer you are to a deadline, for instance, you can use a timer or set an alarm to try and “finish your quests” before time runs out.
Using Telemedicine for ADHD Therapy
Therapy is especially important in the treatment of ADHD. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to schedule appointments with mental health professionals; the demand is high, but the number of mental healthcare professionals is low. The Census Bureau published a report that around 122 million Americans – or 37% of the population – live in areas where there is a shortage of mental health professionals. Fortunately, therapy through telemedicine is an option now.
Telemedicine facilitates the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients through telecommunications technology. Instead of physically visiting a clinician’s office, patients can opt to have a session with their healthcare provider via the internet.
These video-call appointments help cut through the gap. Nurse practitioners are trained on evidence-based practices, clinical care, and patient outcomes. This drastically helps to address the lack of mental health professionals in the country. But before going on a telemedicine appointment for ADHD, be sure to list down all your concerns and issues ahead of time so you won’t forget anything during your session.
Using Technology to Help Improve Focus in ADHD
People with ADHD tend to procrastinate – a lot. According to research on procrastination, triggers like boredom, frustration, difficulty, ambiguity, lack of meaning, lack of structure, and minimal rewards can spur procrastination. The trick is to work around procrastination with strategies and tools.
Technology as a whole is an asset for children and adults with ADHD. A number of apps are designed to improve time management, organization, and task completion – which those with ADHD definitely need. Some apps are even designed specifically to tackle ADHD concerns, like exercise guides so you can control any symptoms.
Even ordinary smartphone functions like a camera can help you take pictures of important things and thereby help you focus. You can also set alerts to carve out a specific period of time in which to accomplish certain activities, so you don’t just hyper-focus on one task. White-noise machines are also great at helping ADHD patients focus while working, or helping them to fall asleep easily at night. With adequate support, there’s no doubt that people who have ADHD can still live productive, meaningful adult lives.
Healthcare Practitioners Treating ADHD in Kent, WA
Talking to a medical professional, like an experienced nurse practitioner from FamilyCare of Kent, can empower you with the knowledge and skills you need to make intelligent healthcare decisions. We can also direct you towards reliable educational resources, exercise and diet plans, or lifestyle recommendations that are tailored to what works best for you.
Talk to us at FamilyCare of Kent today to connect with our expert team of nurse practitioners. Call (253) 859-2273 or fill out our appointment request form online now to schedule a consultation with one of our healthcare professionals. We look forward to serving you and your family!