Sticking it out and getting the work done can be challenging for anyone. However, a clear plan, a quiet work environment, or a cup of coffee can make a difference for most people. For those who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), trying to focus on a single task can be much more complicated.
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can impact a person’s attention, impulse regulation, concentration, and memory. In the United States, an estimated 4.4% of adults and 11.0% of children live with ADHD. You are not alone if you believe you might be experiencing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Reach out to Harmony today at 304.410.0082 to learn more about our comprehensive mental health treatment options and how our ADHD treatment program can help you or your loved ones.
What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that’s often recognized by inattention and hyperactivity. Since symptoms like inattention and hyperactivity can be disruptive in a classroom setting, it’s common for people to be diagnosed with ADHD when they reach school age. Although ADHD is often associated with school-aged children, the symptoms of ADHD can follow a person into adulthood.
ADHD is considered a neurodivergence. Like autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and giftedness, people who have ADHD have different mental and neurological functioning than people in the neurotypical majority. This difference is crucial to recognize because it means that while the symptoms of ADHD can be disruptive, the disorder itself is not a reflection of a person’s character or worth. An ADHD treatment program can make a significant difference.
Symptoms and Signs of ADHD
As with any mental health condition, the signs or symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person. When diagnosing ADHD, mental health professionals will look for sets of symptoms that fall into three distinct categories:
- Inattention – These symptoms have to do with concentration and organizational skills
- Hyperactivity – These symptoms have to do with excess energy and movement
- Impulsivity – These symptoms have to do with risk-taking behaviors and overly emotional responses
Many individuals struggle with some of these symptoms. Often, people with ADHD struggle to complete daily tasks. These tasks include cleaning their homes, finishing homework assignments, or completing work projects due to their symptoms.
Types of ADHD
DHD can be categorized into three types based on the type of symptoms a person has:
- Type I – Inattentive type
- Type II – Hyperactive-impulsive type
- Type III – Combined type
Symptoms of ADHD in Children
Symptoms of ADHD in children include:
- Extreme energy that never seems to run out
- Excessive talking or interrupting
- Making simple or obvious mistakes in schoolwork
- Rapidly switching between toys during playtime
- Disengaged when interacting with adults
- Difficulty organizing and keeping track of things
- Fidgeting, tapping, or otherwise struggling to stay still
Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
For adults, ADHD can look slightly different. Symptoms of ADHD in adults include:
- Anxiety or inability to relax
- Forgetting regular daily tasks, like watering the plants or turning off the faucet
- Excessive talking or interrupting
- Struggling with or disliking tasks that require concentration or sitting still
- Difficulty taking turns
- Intense but short-lived emotions
- Alternating between feeling extremely empathetic and extremely apathetic toward others
- Inability to focus, even on hobbies or interests
- Difficulty completing detailed projects at work or school
- Restlessness and fidgeting
- Poor executive function
To be diagnosed with ADHD, five or more symptoms must be present for six months or longer.
How Does an ADHD Treatment Help?
ADHD affects people of all ages and can be complex to manage. Fortunately, personalized therapy programs offer lasting relief and provide individuals with the skills to manage their ADHD symptoms effectively. These programs can help empower people with this disorder by assisting them to focus on their strengths while implementing individualized strategies to address their challenges.
These therapies can help clients control their anxieties and find greater productivity in daily life through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, psychoeducation, mindfulness exercises, and lifestyle adjustments. With a suitable treatment program, those struggling with ADHD can discover how to manage its symptoms better and lead happier, more successful lives.
What Causes ADHD?
ADHD is a multifaceted mental health condition that many genetic, biological, and environmental components can influence.
Genetic Causes
Like other mental health conditions, ADHD tends to run in families. This suggests a genetic risk factor. People with an immediate relative, like a parent or sibling, who has ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves. Boys and men are also more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than women. This difference could be because males and females present different symptoms of ADHD, and some signs of female ADHD can often be dismissed or tough to detect.
Biological Causes
People with ADHD may also show differences in brain structure versus people without ADHD. Some brain regions might be largerCompared to people without ADHD, those diagnosed with the disorder have distinct differences in their brain structure. Some brain regions might be larger or smaller, and people with ADHD may have an imbalance in certain neurotransmitters. Research also suggests that maternal drug or alcohol use and premature birth can be risk factors for ADHD. or smaller, and people with ADHD may have an imbalance in certain neurotransmitters. Research also suggests that maternal drug or alcohol use and premature birth can be risk factors for ADHD.
Environmental Causes
The environment can also affect whether or not a person develops ADHD. Environmental risk factors of ADHD include maternal depression, a chaotic home environment, unsupportive or abusive caregivers, poverty, inadequate sleep, and brain injury during the developmental years.
Understanding ADHD Treatment
While there is no cure for ADHD, symptoms of the disorder are managed with a combination of treatment strategies. ADHD treatment might include:
- Medication – Stimulants and some antidepressants can help manage ADHD symptoms.
- Therapy – CBT and other forms of therapy can give people with ADHD healthy strategies for building positive behaviors and overcoming the emotional impact of living with ADHD.
- Lifestyle changes – Maintaining positive habits like establishing a routine that includes proper diet and exercise, an appropriate amount of sleep, and dedicated work time in a distraction-free environment can help people manage the symptoms of their ADHD.
At Harmony, we provide an ADHD treatment center where our team of mental health professionals is committed to helping you or your family members navigate the difficulties of ADHD. We understand the hardship of living with ADHD and aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for everyone who walks through our door.
Advantages of Our ADHD Treatment Program
Motivating children or adults with ADHD to partake in a treatment program is key to better functioning and improved quality of life. ADHD treatment programs offer secure and supportive environments to manage the symptoms associated with ADHD, such as:
- Improving time management, organization, and impulse control
- Managing emotions, such as stress or anger
- Growing self-esteem and feelings of accomplishment
- Reducing disruptive behaviors
- Developing coping skills to deal with the challenges of living with ADHD
- Increasing communication and social skills
- Learning positive habits that support mental health
- Enhancing academic or work performance
- Improving interpersonal relationships
- Promoting daily functioning
- Managing immediate and long-term goals
With the proper support system launching your journey toward success, many benefits come with an ADHD treatment program. The great news is that the Harmony team is here to help guide you through your journey.
Contact Us Today to Start ADHD Treatment in West Virginia
We are here to help residents in West Virginia access the ADHD treatment they need. We have highly collaborative teams of compassionate and experienced professionals who can provide personalized assessments and treatments. With their help, you can gain control of your condition. We aim to provide support and care that will result in long-term lifestyle changes.
Harmony understands this is a challenging situation and strives to create a safe, comfortable environment for success. Contact us at 304.410.0082 or online to discover more about our ADHD treatment center.