ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment
You are Not Alone!
If you have been asking yourself questions like, "Why can't I seem to focus or why do I lose focus? Why do I forget things? Why can't I seem to start and stop things without finishing? Could I be struggling with ADHD?" If so, you have come to the right place!
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), sometimes referred to as ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder) isn't just a condition for children! Adults and children alike can struggle with ADHD. You are expected to show up to work and pay attention or think critically at school. In addition, lead a dynamic life at home. If you simply forget things and feel like you can not stay on track, you are not alone.
At Brightland Health, we pride ourselves on being specialists and experts in ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), sometimes referred to as ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder). We have a deep understanding of its complexities and how it impacts your daily life. We have helped countless people like you with effective treatments and therapies for ADHD - and a more focused future is just an appointment away!
Diagnosing ADHD - Common ADHD Symptoms
Brightland Health professionals (psychiatrists, psychiatry providers, and therapists) diagnose Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) based on many factors. ADHD is characterized by a range of symptoms that can impact various aspects of your life, particularly inattention, hyperactivity, an executive dysfunction. These symptoms often manifest differently in different individuals. Divided into two categories, symptoms might reflect difficulty paying attention or being overly active.
Inattentive Symptoms Include:
-
Inattention: Trouble paying attention.
-
Dislikes tasks: Avoidance of tasks (such as homework) that require mental effort.
-
Losing, misplacing, or forgetting where you put things.
-
Frequent mistakes: Missing details or making errors due to oversight.
-
Forgetfulness: Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or to complete daily chores or tasks.
-
Easily distracted: Gets side-tracked. Find it challenging to ignore irrelevant stimuli.
-
Poor follow-through: Procrastinating or difficulty starting projects. Difficulty completing tasks, often leaving things unfinished.
-
Trouble listening: often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
-
Disorganized: Difficulty keeping belongings in order; messy, difficulty organizing activities or work.
Hyperactive Symptoms Include:
-
Restlessness: Constant fidgeting with hands or feet or squirms or is unable to sit still. Uncomfortable being still for extended time, as in restaurants or meetings.
-
Excessive talking: Talking excessively, often interrupting others in conversations or being overly talkative in certain situations.
-
Impulsive decisions: Making hasty decisions or acting without considering the consequences.
-
Difficulty waiting your turn: Challenges with waiting your turn in conversations or in situations where patience is needed.
-
Getting up: Leaving your seat when expected to remain seated.
What To Expect as a Patient - And What Makes Our ADHD Treatment So Effective?
What About my Executive Function Difficulties in ADHD?
Executive function refers to the mental skills used to manage and regulate behavior, thoughts, and emotions in order to reach goals. In individuals with ADHD, these skills are sometimes impaired, leading to several challenges, such as poor planning poor or poor time management:
-
Poor Planning and Organization: Struggling to break down tasks into manageable steps and to stay organized, often resulting in missed deadlines or unfinished projects.
-
Poor Time Management: Difficulty estimating how long tasks will take, leading to procrastination and last-minute rushes to complete work.
-
Task initiation: Challenges in starting tasks, especially if they seem overwhelming or uninteresting.
-
Memory: Trouble holding information in mind, which can affect achieving goals.
Together, these symptoms can significantly affect your academic, professional, and social life. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward finding effective treatments and strategies to manage your ADHD; which can include medication, behavioral therapy, and strategies to strengthen these executive function skills.
Good News: ADHD is readily treatable and we've had great outcomes at Brightland Health! Our team consists of experienced professionals (psychiatrists, psychiatry providers, and therapists) who are dedicated to providing you individualized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.