| While ADHD is commonly recognized in children, | | | | or meeting. This can be invaluable when you need |
| most people expect adults to be able to hide the | | | | to contact someone again or talk to your boss |
| fact that they have a problem. Social gatherings | | | | about the meeting.o Listen more than you talk. |
| and meetings can cause a lot of anxiety in | | | | Even if your attention tends to wander, it's a lot |
| someone who suffers from ADHD and this can | | | | easier to be in a social situation where you don't |
| even cause them to avoid social situations. It | | | | really need to say anything. Most people are more |
| doesn't have to be this way, though. There are | | | | than thrilled to talk about themselves, so all you |
| coping strategies to make even the most | | | | need to do is ask a question now and then and |
| important meeting go well. | | | | you'll be rewarded with plenty of talking.o Find a |
| Concerns | | | | way to be interested. Think about how you can |
| Most ADHD adults have difficulty staying focused | | | | use the information gleaned in the meeting for |
| on conversations for any length of time, so it's | | | | future projects. Many ADHD adults find that when |
| not hard to imagine how trying it is to understand | | | | they are interested in something, they really can |
| an entire meeting or speech. Unfortunately, those | | | | focus on information input quite well. All you need |
| moments when the mind wanders are often the | | | | to do is find the method of promoting interest in |
| most important ones and this can cause problems | | | | yourself.o Opt for enjoyable outings. Rather than |
| later on when the facts are needed. | | | | force yourself to go to a dozen corporate |
| A social function, be it a picnic or a company | | | | Christmas parties over the holidays, why not look |
| party, can be emotionally and mentally exhausting | | | | for something you enjoy more, like a concert? |
| if you are struggling to pay attention and to avoid | | | | Attend only the social gatherings that you |
| blurting out something inappropriate. What should | | | | absolutely must and the rest should be ones that |
| be fun turns into something more like work and | | | | you enjoy and feel comfortable with.o Take |
| requires a lot of energy just to make it through a | | | | someone along. Having a spouse or good friend |
| couple of hours. This is the reason that many | | | | with you allows you to break away from time to |
| ADHD adults avoid social gatherings and prefer to | | | | time when you simply can't stick to a |
| spend their downtime away from other people. | | | | conversation. Also, having someone who |
| Fortunately, there are ways to stay more | | | | understands you can be a big help when you are |
| focused during these social outings, making them | | | | feeling uncomfortable and lets you join someone |
| less stressful and easier to deal with. | | | | who will understand if you are in need of a break. |
| Strategies for Social Situationso Keep it simple. | | | | ADHD in adults can cause some serious problems |
| Whenever possible, keep the social situation as | | | | in social situations if you don't have a plan. Know |
| stress free as possible. Choose to go to a movie | | | | what you can do to stay focused and to avoid |
| or show instead of hosting or attending a party, | | | | embarrassing situations before you go in. This, |
| which can be very distracting.o Take notes. While | | | | coupled with support from a loved one, can help |
| this is not something you'll want to do in front of | | | | make all the difference in how you approach |
| people, it can be handy to keep a notebook on | | | | these gatherings. |
| hand to jot notes on people throughout the event | | | | |