Online Therapy for ADHD
On the United We Care mental health platform, you can find licensed ADHD counselors and therapists who are specialized in assessing, diagnosing and treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and its symptoms.
What is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Do you find difficulty in paying attention? Do you feel like moving constantly even when you shouldn’t? Do you often interrupt others? If these issues are impacting your life negatively, then it could be a sign of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is a brain disorder with an ongoing pattern of lack of attention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Types of ADHD
ADHD is divided into 3 different types:
Inattentive type
People with this type make inattentive mistakes as have difficulty sustaining attention, following detailed instructions, and organizing tasks and activities. Due to a weak working memory, they are easily distracted by external stimuli, and often lose their belongings.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
People with hyperactive impulsive ADHD are constantly "on the go". They often fidget, squirm, and struggle to stay seated.
Combination Type
People with combination type ADHD have symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types. This is the most common type of ADHD.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD include:
- Inattention
- Lack of focus
- Poor time management
- Weak impulse control
- Exaggerated emotions
- Hyperfocus
- Hyperactivity
- Executive dysfunction
Cause of ADHD
The exact cause of ADHD is still unclear, however, research efforts continue. The factors that may cause the development of ADHD include genetics, the environment or problems with the central nervous system at during development.
ADHD in Children and Teens
All children struggle to pay attention, listen & follow directions, sit still, or wait for their turn at some point in their lives. However, for children or teens with ADHD, the struggles are greater and happen more often. Typically, ADHD develops in children and teens, and can continue into adulthood.
Do I Have ADHD? | How to Diagnose ADHD
There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. The symptoms usually occur in children at the age of 7. A counselor or therapist is specialized to diagnose ADHD and its symptoms. They will also do a physical examination and review the child's medical history to rule out any other medical or psychiatric conditions that could be causing the symptoms of ADHD.
Treatment for ADHD
ADHD can be treated in the following ways:
Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy, also known as behavior modification, is a very successful treatment for children with ADHD. This therapy works on rewarding and praising to reinforce the desired behavior and decrease problem behaviors by setting limits and consequences.
Social Skills Training
Social skills training is conducted in a group setting. The therapist exhibits appropriate behavior and has the children practice repeating them. The social skill groups educate children reading others' reaction and how to behave adequately.
Parent Coaching
Behavior therapy helps parents develop ways to understand and guide their child's behavior.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps older children with ADHD to discuss the issues bothering them, analyze their negative behavior patterns, and teaching ways to deal with their ADHD symptoms.
Family Therapy
Families who live with someone with ADHD go through a lot of stress. Family therapy teaches families and siblings techniques on how to deal with stress and manage their behavior effectively.
Medication
Medicines are prescribed by the specialists to ease the symptoms of ADHD. Medicines, therapists, parents coaching and school's support helps them to get better at managing their attention, behavior, and emotions.
Natural ADHD Remedies | How to Control ADHD without Medication
Although counseling and medication is recommended for ADHD treatment, there are a number of techniques for controlling the symptoms and triggers of ADHD:
Diet
Eating habits play a major role in managing the symptoms of ADHD. Setting a regular time for meals, not keeping a gap of more than 3 hours between the meals, helps in stabilizing blood sugar which reduces irritability and improves concentration and focus. Including proteins (milk, eggs, meat, cheese etc.) and complex carbohydrates (peas, oats, beans whole grains, etc.) in the diet helps in reducing hyperactive behavior.
Mindfulness Meditation
It is a form of silent meditation which involves awareness training that helps in managing stress, enhancing self-regulation skills and developing positive emotions. In simpler terms, being mindful of everything you do in your daily routine will help in changing behavioral patterns and manage obsessions and compulsions.
Exercise
Exercise promotes endorphins, which improves mood and also increases the brain's levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which helps in increasing focus and attention.