ADHD

There is no simple and standardized way of diagnosing ADHD as a condition. There are, however, some common things to look for when seeking a diagnosis. Some indicators of ADHD include:

• An ongoing pattern of at least six months of inattentive, hyperactive,and/or impulsive symptoms that adversely affect your social, academic, or occupational life.
• Many symptoms experienced before the age of 12.
• Symptoms that cannot be tied to any other cause.

It is important to note that this condition affects a huge number of people. Some 6.4 million children (ages 4-17) have been diagnosed with ADHD in the United States. Additionally, while many kids who suffer from ADHD outgrow the disorder, around 60% still struggle with the disorder into adulthood, resulting in a total of about 5% of adults with ADHD in the U.S.

Are you worried that you or your child might be struggling with ADHD? Get in touch with us at Newport Beach Christian Counselling. As part of our services, we offer a safe and nurturing environment in which you can explore your condition and be equipped with strategies to help manage the symptoms of ADHD.

ADHD in Childhood

As we mentioned, most of those who suffer from ADHD are children. Perhaps you are a parent who is worried about some behavioral characteristics being exhibited by your child and suspect they may have ADHD. How can you be sure? Well, usually, ADHD symptoms fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Inattentive kids might:

• Struggle to pay attention to details.
• Struggle to listen when someone is speaking to them.
• Find it very difficult to follow instructions.
• Get bored quickly.
• Frequently lose things.
• Struggle to complete simple tasks.

Hyperactive kids might:

• Fidget and squirm while seated.
• Struggle to stay sitting down.
• Run or climb on things when it’s not appropriate to do so.
• Struggle to play quietly.
• Talk a lot more than is normal.
• Have a very quick temper.

Impulsive kids might:

• Act without thinking about the consequences.
• Invade other people’s space without asking permission.
• Struggle to wait patiently.
• Overreact in an emotional manner.
• Interrupt people on a regular basis.
• Intrude on other children’s play time.
• Make random guesses at answers instead of trying to think through and solve problems.

If you recognize any of these symptoms in your child, we recommend that you get in touch with us to set up a consultation with one of our ADHD counselors.

ADHD in Adulthood

As we mentioned earlier, ADHD can also affect adults. Many of those who suffer from the condition failed to gain an adequate diagnosis and treatment plan when they were children. With that being said, it is important to rule out other conditions before seeking help for your symptoms of ADHD.

A qualified mental health professional should first rule out the possibility of:

• Various learning disabilities.
• Life-altering or stressful events such as moving or the death of a loved one.
• Serious psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and mood or behavior disorders.
• Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, epilepsy, and various sleep disorders.

In addition, if you are an adult who is being tested for ADHD, your doctor should first consider whether you are suffering from:

• Bipolar disorder.
• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Sensory processing disorders.
• Sleep disorders.

As is the case for children, adults with ADHD will also likely suffer from inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Adult ADHD symptoms related to inattention may include things like getting easily distracted, being disorganized, and having an inability to focus on the task at hand. A lack of attention can dramatically affect your productivity at work and can have a negative effect on your personal relationships. Indeed, a person suffering from ADHD may battle with procrastination or be unable to stick to one task, constantly seeking to move to the next thing and feeling perpetually restless.

Additionally, in adults, hyperactivity often surfaces in the form of restless feelings or a tendency to find normally stimulating activities very calming. Adults with ADHD might exhibit characteristics of impatience, and may be unable to control their outbursts. They may also engage in impulsive buying and may make rash decisions without adequately thinking them through.

Suffering from ADHD can cause you to feel as if your life is spiraling out of control. But do not fear! Our Christian ADHD counseling will help you combat these thoughts and assist you in reaching your full and God-given potential.

Medication and Treatment

Certain medications may be required to fully treat your ADHD. Therefore, we will liaise with your physician to ensure that a comprehensive and complementary treatment plan is formed to help you with your condition. We offer a wide range of Psychological Therapy for those suffering from ADHD, such as:

• Help for parents of children with ADHD – It is of vital importance to understand that ADHD is not caused by bad parenting. With that being said, we can offer some effective strategies that can help you solve some of the behavior problems. Christian ADHD counseling will assist you in helping your child get their symptoms under control without sacrificing their natural creativity.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for ADHD – Adults and children with ADHD can both experience huge benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). By utilizing this method of treatment, you will be able to gain a better understanding of how you view yourself and your surroundings and how your thoughts are impacting the way you feel and behave. CBT assists both children and adults who struggle with ADHD in becoming more organized and focused. It will also help to improve their ability to adequately control their emotions.
• Behavior modification therapy – Behavior therapy for children dealing with ADHD can be highly effective. As a part of this treatment, the parent, child, and counselor will work together in order to help alter behavior by actively rewarding positive behaviors while also discouraging negative behaviors. We will help your child develop certain skills that will equip them to control their issues with inattention and impulsivity.