Now offering day and night-time telehealth appointments. Please call 517-481-2133 to schedule or click here.

ADD and AD/HD Counseling

About Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

4StonesADD ADHD is a neuro-behavioral disorder characterized by a combination of lack of concentration,inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Five to seven percent of children in the US are diagnosed with this disorder. Up to 50 percent of children who are diagnosed eventually outgrow the condition, but often, earlier developmental delays may create persistent learning problems.

Adults can also be diagnosed with ADD ADHD. Often when a child is diagnosed, a parent begins to recognize similar and persistent patterns in his or her own behavior such as frequent job changes, impulsivity and restlessness. In other instances, an adult seeking treatment for anxiety or depression will find the cause of these emotional problems is due to ADD behaviors. A correct diagnosis of ADD ADHD can be a relief and a release from negative assumption about herself that may have led to low self-esteem.

How it feels

Having an attention-challenged brain feels like having a lot of information coming at you all the time, way too fast, and in a way that is impossible to capture. It is like driving in the pouring rain with windshield wipers going – moments of clarity and lots of blur. It is frustrating and causes feelings of failure and depression as the information you failed to capture turns out to be something others think you should know. Now others are as frustrated with you as you are with yourself.

Symptoms of ADD ADHD

There are two categories of symptoms for ADHD: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Often a sufferer with attention deficit without the hyperactivity will go undiagnosed.

Indicators of Inattention include:

  • Easily distracted by surroundings
  • Difficulty maintaining attention
  • Failure to accomplish tasks
  • Difficulty following instructions carefully
  • Difficulty making transitions from one activity to the next

Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity include:

  • Excessive and inappropriate chatter
  • Restlessness and fidgeting
  • Difficulty waiting in line or taking turns
  • Inability to remain seated or quiet
  • Interrupts or intrudes
  • Constant activity as if driven by a motor

Treatment and Counseling for ADD ADHD

If you, your child or a loved one is struggling with ADHD/ADD, contact a therapist and your doctor.  A  therapist is trained in helping you build the skills needed to maintain positive relationships at home and at work.

Comments are closed.