February 26, 2026, 3:47 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
No, having ADHD and suffering from it does not mean you are “broken.” There are many ways to live better with it. It’s not just about managing symptoms and avoiding problems. In the U.S. magazine ADDitude, experts reveal what characterizes typical cases.
ADHD in adults is often more than just a concentration issue. Many affected individuals struggle with perfectionism, organizational problems, or misunderstandings in relationships. The U.S. magazine “ADDitude” asked five experts for its spring issue (2025) what characterizes typical cases and what specific approaches can help.1 Here are three of them.
Overview
ADHD “It’s Easy to Feel That Life Is Too Much About Avoiding Negatives”
“ADHD is not a problem of knowing, but of doing,” quotes psychologist Ari Tuckman from a colleague. He often observes that clients understand well what they need to change but find it difficult to implement in everyday life.
“With ADHD, it’s easy to feel that life is too much about avoiding negatives,” says the psychologist. He places great importance on discussing the positive aspects that clients can derive from what he discusses with them. For example, one can confidently enter a work meeting instead of hoping to be ignored. “Or go to bed earlier tonight so you can be more productive tomorrow and have time to meet friends after work,” says the psychologist.
“We all benefit from working towards something important and meaningful. Anxiety and depression can rob us of this sense of purpose, so you need to find out what that is for you. This will be your source of genuine, lasting motivation.”
ADHD in Adulthood Often Linked With Other Mental Health Issues
“ADHD rarely comes alone,” says clinical psychologist Roberto Olivardia. Many of his clients are unaware of the role ADHD plays in connection with other mental health issues, in the development, occurrence, and progression of other disorders—which are often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Especially with adult ADHD, symptoms overlap or are similar. Not all disorders are always considered in treatment, leading many affected individuals to feel “unfixable.”
Olivardia compares diagnosis to a puzzle: Only by taking each symptom seriously and connecting them does a clear picture emerge. “You have to inquire about each of the problems to capture the history of the symptoms. For example, if you haven’t slept for three days in a row, it could be a symptom of a manic episode, a cocaine binge, a depressive episode, or because you were writing your thesis (and I have experience with this) after your ADHD led you to procrastinate until 72 hours before the deadline.”
Therefore, practitioners should always ask: “Which diagnosis is currently in charge?”—especially when multiple diagnoses are present. “Only then can we correctly piece together the puzzle and sincerely convey to our patients that they are not broken, but simply need more time and investigation for the right treatment to be effective.”
ADHD in Children: How to Recognize Symptoms Early
“Looking Back, My ADHD Diagnosis Clarified Many Things for Me”
Self-Care Is a Priority—especially for Women
Dr. Dawn K. Brown treats many women of color affected by ADHD in her practice. For them, self-care is challenging because they feel pressured to take care of everything and everyone else. But: It’s essential, explains Brown: “You have to consciously decide to put yourself first. Otherwise, everything falls apart.”
She often begins her work with patients by creating a personal roadmap for managing life with ADHD.
“I had a patient, a single mother with a demanding job. She felt overwhelmed, always behind on her to-do list, but never managed to catch up. We started by breaking down her day, prioritizing tasks, and incorporating time for self-care,” reports Brown. Then they set specific times for work, family, and herself—the concept is called Time Blocking and works like a schedule.
Over time, the patient learned to delegate more responsibilities at home and let go of the pressure to do everything perfectly. “I encourage my patients to set boundaries and say ‘no’ without feeling guilty,” says Brown. This can also include talking to family about the need for rest or asking for help at work when the workload becomes too much.
Conclusion
ADHD in adults is complex and goes far beyond mere concentration problems. The experts’ statements show that emotional stress, perfectionism, overwhelm, and other mental illnesses often play a central role. A key to successful management lies in strengthening individual resources, developing effective everyday strategies, and ensuring comprehensive diagnostics. It can be particularly helpful for those affected to find clear structures for daily life and focus on personal strengths. This is especially true for women, who often have to meet additional societal expectations.
*With material from dpa