What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s behavior, cognitive abilities, concentration, and memory. It is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, and its symptoms often last throughout adulthood. Approximately 11 percent of minors and 4.4 percent of adults in the United States live with ADHD. In adults, it is estimated at 4.4 percent.
You may have heard that in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the rate of diagnosis of ADHD. This uptick is likely due to increased awareness, though some suspect environmental triggers.
Avoiding diagnosis and treatment for this disorder is never helpful. It’s essential for parents to remember that the disorder and its symptoms are still present and affecting the child, whether there is an official diagnosis or not.
ADHD Types and Symptoms
In previous years, the mental health profession saw ADD and ADHD as different but related conditions. With better understanding of these disorders, professionals have concluded that what was once called ADD is actually a sub-type of ADHD. In fact, there are three kinds of ADHD:
- Hyperactive-Impulsive
- Inattentive
- Combination
People with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD and inattentive ADHD exhibit different types of symptoms. People with combination ADHD may have several symptoms from each of the other two types of ADHD.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
- Feeling restless
- Squirming and fidgeting
- Interrupting others often
- Blurting out
- Having trouble being still
- Impatience
- More talkative than peers
- Being constantly “wound up”
Inattentive Symptoms
- Missing details often
- Easily distracted
- Difficulty following directions
- Easily bored
- Processing information slowly and with less accuracy than peers
- Difficulty focusing on a single task
- Appearing to not listen
- Losing important items needed for daily tasks
- Trouble organizing thoughts
- Difficulty retaining new information
Online and In-Person Treatment for ADHD
ADHD does not have a known cure. However, medication and therapy can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms and live a full life. Treatment options for ADHD include:
- Stimulant medications
- Non-stimulant medications
- Individual therapy
- Lifestyle changes
We offer both telepsychiatry and teletherapy to help people with ADHD from the comfort of their own homes. Patients can connect with licensed psychiatrists, mental health nurse practitioners, psychologists, and therapists over secure video conferencing. They discuss symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. Telehealth gives patients the effective, high-quality care they need with the comfort and safety of home.