ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was formerly known, and is commonly still referred to, as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
In the United States, it's estimated that about 8.7 million adults have ADHD. Additional data suggests a lifetime prevalence of 8.1% among U.S. adults aged 18 to 44, with roughly 4.4% of adults currently diagnosed with ADHD.
People with ADHD exhibit variations in brain development and activity, affecting their attention span, impulse control, and ability to stay still. These differences can significantly affect daily life, influencing performance at home, in educational settings, and in personal relationships.
At Elevate Psychiatry, our deep understanding of ADHD allows us to tailor our treatments to meet your unique needs.
ADHD may first be diagnosed in childhood but can continue into adulthood, affecting daily functioning across various stages of life. Although it's normal for people to sometimes struggle with focusing, staying still, obeying directions, or waiting their turn, these challenges are more pronounced and frequent in those with ADHD.
People with ADHD often show symptoms in one or more of the following domains.
Inattention is shown by difficulty maintaining focus, remaining on task, and concentrating. This is exhibited through behaviors such as:
Those experiencing inattention may seem distracted or forgetful, often caught up in thought or daydreaming.
Impulsiveness involves acting quickly without prior thought. Traits of such behavior involve:
Moreover, impulsive people may react excessively to triggering situations, often acting quickly without considering potential consequences.
Hyperactivity often manifests as a quickness to boredom, accompanied by bouts of fidgeting and restlessness, observable through behaviors such as:
It's important to note that behaviors like impulsivity, restlessness, distractibility, and impatience are typical in young children. These traits alone do not necessarily signify ADHD.
This occurs when you struggle to recall information or maintain focus on a single task for an extended period. You may frequently forget recent instructions or find concentrating on tasks such as homework challenging.
It's like attempting to watch a movie while your thoughts drift elsewhere. These symptoms of ADHD can hinder performance in academic or professional settings. However, through ADHD treatment, strategies can be developed to manage these challenges effectively.
We use a systematic approach to diagnose ADHD, yet the official criteria may not completely capture the everyday expressions of ADHD.
The stereotype of ADHD often creates images of a hyperactive child causing disruptions in both classrooms and homes. Yet, the appearance of hyperactivity and impulsivity in ADHD can vary widely:
Recognizing these aspects of hyperactivity and impulsivity is vital for acknowledging and meeting the needs of individuals with ADHD, moving beyond the narrow view of merely being perpetually active or interruptive.
Those with inattentive ADHD might not stand out as much because their symptoms are subtler than those seen in hyperactive and impulsive ADHD. However, addressing inattentive ADHD is vital for a person's success and overall well-being.
These characteristics are not exclusive to childhood; they can persist into adulthood, impacting various life areas for those with ADHD.
In combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD, people show a combination of both predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD as well as predominantly inattentive ADHD.
ADHD is frequently diagnosed using a variety of tests and evaluations, which collectively assess the presence of ADHD characteristics accurately.
Beyond these tests, we also examine a person's behavior in various environments, such as home or school, to ensure a precise diagnosis. This approach is crucial for accurately identifying and effectively treating ADHD.
Diagnosing ADHD involves a blend of clinical evaluations and objective assessments. We are instrumental in the diagnosis process, performing in-depth interviews and supervising the administration of tests.
These tests play a vital role in complementing the clinical interview, comprising:
Incorporating these objective measures ensures a thorough, scientifically grounded assessment of ADHD, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of the diagnosis.
To gain a comprehensive understanding, subjective questionnaires may also be used:
These surveys collect various viewpoints on ADHD symptoms, offering crucial information for child and adult evaluations.
People with ADHD may also experience additional conditions or disorders, including:
While having ADHD doesn't guarantee the presence of another condition, approximately 80% of people with ADHD have at least one other co-occurring mental health condition at least once in their lifetime.
Treating ADHD requires a multifaceted approach incorporating various intervention strategies and support methods.
Our approach includes:
Within this approach, we try a variety of methods to help you better manage your ADHD.
Medications are key in treating ADHD, enhancing the brain's capacity for focus, self-regulation, and reducing overactivity. Stimulants, often recommended for ADHD, actually help to calm individuals with the condition.
These medications aim to lessen hyperactivity and impulsiveness while improving concentration. In some instances, they may also improve physical coordination.
For people with ADHD and their families, exploring a variety of supportive therapies can be incredibly helpful:
TMS can help treat ADHD by using magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain responsible for attention and impulse control. This non-invasive treatment can improve focus, reduce hyperactivity, and enhance executive functioning, leading to better daily functioning and symptom management.
Spravato is a medicine that’s given as a nose spray. It can be used for people who don’t find other medicines helpful. At Elevate Psychiatry, you’ll always have a professional guiding you, whether you’re learning how to focus with ADHD or spotting signs of ADHD.
Prioritizing tasks helps with ADHD by focusing a person’s attention on completing the most important tasks first, reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed. This approach ensures efficient use of time and energy, leading to a more manageable and productive daily routine.
Using reminders and schedules helps people with ADHD by providing external cues that enhance time management and reduce forgetfulness, creating a structured routine that simplifies task completion and daily planning. This structured approach improves focus, reduces procrastination, and supports the development of consistent habits and routines.
Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable pieces helps those with ADHD by making tasks less overwhelming and easier to focus on, leading to increased motivation and a greater sense of accomplishment. This approach simplifies starting tasks, enhances organization, and improves overall task completion.
Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques can improve focus, reduce hyperactivity, and enhance emotional regulation for individuals with ADHD. These practices also help lower stress and anxiety, contributing to better overall well-being and management of ADHD symptoms.
At Elevate Psychiatry, your health and well-being are our top priority. Don’t let ADHD dictate your life.
With our trusted ADHD treatment, you can regain control and start living life to the fullest.
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