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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD include:

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  1. Inattention: not being able to keep focus, losing track of tasks, forgetting;

  2. Hyperactivity: moving excessively, more than appropriate for the setting; and

  3. Impulsivity: acting because it feels good at the moment without considering consequences.

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If you suspect that your symptoms may indicate ADHD, contact us, and get tested. We use the leading assessments for ADHD and comorbid disorders. Click the links below to find out details about testing:

 

Testing for Adult-ADHD (18 and older)

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Testing for Childhood-ADHD (Youth ages 8 to 18)

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According to the diagnostic manual (DSM-5), the diagnosis will specify one of these different subtypes of ADHD regardless of the patient's age:

  • ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type

  • ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

  • ADHD, Combined Type

  • ADHD, Other Type

  • ADHD, Unspecified Type

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Research shows that: 

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  • ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children today.

  • Boys and girls show different symptoms. 

  • It is thought to affect more boys than girls, leading to girls who never get help. 

  • An estimated 8.4 percent of children have been diagnosed with ADHD.

  • ADHD does not disappear in adulthood and many adults have ADHD.

  • Many children and adults who have ADHD symptoms are undiagnosed/untreated.

  • Untreated ADHD leads to relationship problems, career struggles, and loss, failure, a poor sense of well-being.  

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What is ADHD?

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that affects concentration and behavior. ADHD is diagnosed in children and adults of both genders. Girls and women have different symptoms than boys and men. 

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Here are examples of untreated ADHD:

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  • Lisa's husband has ADHD and she complains that when she talks to him he is looking at her but he is not listening.

  • Levi, a boy with ADHD keeps forgetting to give the teacher his finished homework, and last year he failed two classes. 

  • Jim who has ADHD will start a lot of different projects get very involved but leave them unfinished. 

  • Suzan who has ADHD is always doing a lot and always feeling exhausted and cranky "spinning her wheels" and "accomplishing nothing". 

  • Alex, a girl with ADHD seems to her family as "totally unorganized or as having "weird" hobbies. Her bedroom is more like "a stable" or "a pet store". 

  • LeeAnne, a woman with ADHD will make plans, create lists, start new things, and "always" feel "behind" or "out of control". 

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If you suspect you have ADHD get tested and get treatment. 
ADHD is a chronic psychiatric disorder that requires management.
Untreated ADHD can mess up your life. 

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Overall, those with ADHD have issues with controlling their behavior and paying attention. As you read at the top of the page, ADHD has three primary symptoms: 1) Inattention; 2) Hyperactivity; 3) Impulsivity. 

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How do the 3 symptoms differ?

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1. Inattention:

Those diagnosed as predominantly inattentive:
Have trouble paying attention or listening when another person is speaking. They have trouble focusing on one task and are easily distracted.
As a result, they have trouble retaining or learning new information.

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2. Hyperactivity:
They fidget.
They are not being able to sit still.
They talk all the time.
They interrupt.
They have trouble participating in quiet individual activities.
 

3. Impulsivity: 

Those who are impulsive interrupt regularly.
They make inappropriate comments.
They are impatient.

They have angry outbursts. 

 

Treating ADHD 

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Early intervention is key. 

Contact our office to schedule your ADHD assessment. 
If you have ADHD discuss treatment options. 

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We have found that the best way to treat ADHD is a "multimodal" approach that includes medical, educational, behavioral, and psychological intervention.

Some of the elements of a multimodal approach to treatment include:

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  • skills training

  • counseling

  • behavioral therapy 

  • educational support  

  • learning about ADHD

  • parental training

  • pharmacological treatment
     

Treatment is unique for each individual. One, two, or a combination of these interventions may be necessary and you will have a chance to ask your counselor any questions you have. 

 

In the case of a child, it will affect the child and their family. Through a multimodal treatment, you will have the opportunity to learn how to manage the symptoms of attention-deficit, and how to improve life and find a sense of happiness and well-being. 

 

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