ADHD and Self-esteem: What You Need to Know?

The problem with ADHD is that it's a mental disorder that tends to take shape pretty early on in one's life. As children with ADHD grow up and experience consistently failing relationships with peers at school and family members at home, they have a high chance of questioning the value of their existence. Combined with poor academic performances, their self-esteem may plunge to dangerously low levels.

In this post, we’ll give you some tips that will help you to reach out to any ADHD-diagnosed individual (child or adult) you know and try and improve confidence levels. But first, let’s take a look at some of the risks presented by chronic low-self esteem.

The risks of low self-esteem

• A negative worldview: How children learn to view the world around them dictates what they will think of other people and issues around the world as they grow up. Typically, children with low-self esteem tend to see themselves in a negative light, and this also affects their worldview. A negative worldview may make a child hateful and bitter towards people and society at large because of an underlying sense of fear and paranoia, which isn't helpful in developing and maintaing relationships.

• Mental health issues: Low-self esteem can contribute to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. While occasional bouts of anxiety and depression can be managed without much trouble, they can become big problems if they become chronic. If steps aren't taken to manage chronic anxiety and depression, it may give rise to the potential of drug abuse and suicidal thoughts.

• No self-care: People who value themselves are the ones who care for themselves. But the ones who have a low sense of self-worth are very likely to skip even the most basic self-care tasks such as brushing their teeth and bathing regularly. Low-self esteem may also trigger rash and impulsive behaviors that can have dangerous consequences.

How to improve self-esteem as a friend

For someone who doesn’t exactly know what’s going on inside the mind of an ADHD-diagnosed individual, it can be difficult for you to work out what to do to help that person. However, you can try the following things to make your friend, family member, partner, or associate feel better about themselves:

• Be a true friend: A true friend is hard to find, and this statement makes the most sense for people living with ADHD. However, if you want to do your best as a friend, you've got to be there when it matters most. It only takes one true friend to remind someone that they're not alone and are valued, so be one.

• Remind of strengths and not of weaknesses: Every individual has got inherent positive and negative qualities. However, when others constantly focus on the negatives of a person, it can significantly lower his/her confidence. You should be a pillar of support who offers insights about the weaknesses without any ridiculing or harsh criticism. Also, you shouldn't forget to point out the good qualities.

• Participate in healthy activities: When left alone for long, ADHD-diagnosed individuals tend to drift towards unhealthy lifestyles and practices to cope with their issues. As a friend, you can encourage a person with ADHD to participate in healthy activities such as exercise, meditation, and eating healthy food.

At Phoenix Family Medical Clinic, we provide treatment and care for kids diagnosed with ADHD through our thoroughly trained physicians and caregivers.

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