Attention-deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder — neurological because it comes from differences in brain growth, and developmental because it begins in childhood and lasts a lifetime.

Though ADHD is typically diagnosed by age seven, the criteria for determining if you have ADHD say that some signs must be noticeable by age 12 — whether or not you’re diagnosed.

Many who are diagnosed in early childhood still struggle with their symptoms throughout adulthood. Some people aren’t diagnosed with ADHD until they become adults.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

While all children and adults occasionally feel hyperactive or can’t pay attention, these problems become a relentless and difficult struggle for those with ADHD.

Some people with ADHD only have attention problems (attention-deficit), while others only struggle with hyperactivity and impulsivity. And some have symptoms of both.

If you have inattentive ADHD, you may:

• Miss important details
• Become easily distracted
• Make reckless mistakes
• Forget to start or finish tasks
• Daydream instead of paying attention
• Struggle to stay organized
• Have a hard time following directions

People with inattentive ADHD are well-known for misplacing or losing things like homework assignments and house keys.

If you have hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, you may:

• Talk a lot
• Need to stay moving
• Act impatient or restless
• Interrupt others
• Lack impulse control
• Struggle to take turns
• Fidget or move when it’s inappropriate (in the classroom or a business meeting)

Many children and adults with ADHD have difficulty  regulating their emotions, leading to angry outbursts.

How is ADHD treated?

ADHD is often treated with stimulant medications, usually together with therapy. While these medications can dramatically improve attention and reduce hyperactivity, they also pose challenges, like causing a rebound effect when they wear off.

Therapy or ADHD coaching teaches the skills and coping mechanisms needed to manage ADHD. With therapy, you learn to stay focused, organize, manage emotions, and identify and stop impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.

Though your provider is skilled in different therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for ADHD. CBT significantly reduces symptoms and helps people who don’t respond well to ADHD medication.

The foods you eat don’t cause ADHD, but diet and lifestyle can improve or worsen symptoms. Your Whole Wellness Counseling therapist may recommend work with a health and wellness coach to address activity and dietary changes to improve brain function.

If you or your child need help with ADHD, book an appointment online or call Whole Wellness Counseling today.