What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Although, no two people with ADHD have the exact same cluster of symptoms, difficulties with attention, impulsivity, disorganization, or hyperactivity characterize the disorder. ADHD can be classified by three types: Predominantly Inattentive Presentation, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation, and Combined Presentation.
It was once believed that ADHD or ADD went away after adolescence or adulthood. However, research has shown that children with ADHD / ADD continue to show signs of the disorder in their adulthood.
Signs include trouble staying on tasks to completion, forgetting daily errands, forgetting important aspects of conversations, misplacing things, and disorganization. Impulsivity, such as impatience or acting without thinking ahead, is often present. Hyperactivity or difficulty sitting calmly or having a sense of restlessless may be present, although, this is not necessary to have ADHD. Intelligence is unrelated to ADHD; however, the disorder does interfere with learning and can make meeting academic or job demands difficult.
Two Kinds of Treatment for ADHD / ADD
Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are ways to manage it. While medication can be beneficial, others prefer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to better understand the disorder and learn organizational, memory, and other coping skills. Both forms of treatment (medication or CBT) have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms.
For children and adolescents with ADHD, parents and teachers can learn strategies to curb the child’s difficult behaviors and help the child stay on track with homework, chores, etc.
For older adolescents and adults with ADHD / ADD, difficulties with organization, time-management, and planning make life stressful. Symptoms of the disorder can affect work performance and impair relationships with peers, supervisors, and loved ones. Problems in these areas sometimes relate to anxiety or depressed mood, as well. In counseling, clients learn more about ADHD / ADD and in what types of social, work, or academic situations it may play a role. Clients learn and practice specific time-management techniques and coping skills to help increase efficiency, meet goals, become less distracted, and improve relationships. In addition, therapy can help deal with depressive or anxious feelings or self-esteem issues, which often accompany ADHD / ADD.
It was once believed that ADHD or ADD went away after adolescence or adulthood. However, research has shown that children with ADHD / ADD continue to show signs of the disorder in their adulthood.
Signs include trouble staying on tasks to completion, forgetting daily errands, forgetting important aspects of conversations, misplacing things, and disorganization. Impulsivity, such as impatience or acting without thinking ahead, is often present. Hyperactivity or difficulty sitting calmly or having a sense of restlessless may be present, although, this is not necessary to have ADHD. Intelligence is unrelated to ADHD; however, the disorder does interfere with learning and can make meeting academic or job demands difficult.
Two Kinds of Treatment for ADHD / ADD
Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are ways to manage it. While medication can be beneficial, others prefer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to better understand the disorder and learn organizational, memory, and other coping skills. Both forms of treatment (medication or CBT) have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms.
For children and adolescents with ADHD, parents and teachers can learn strategies to curb the child’s difficult behaviors and help the child stay on track with homework, chores, etc.
For older adolescents and adults with ADHD / ADD, difficulties with organization, time-management, and planning make life stressful. Symptoms of the disorder can affect work performance and impair relationships with peers, supervisors, and loved ones. Problems in these areas sometimes relate to anxiety or depressed mood, as well. In counseling, clients learn more about ADHD / ADD and in what types of social, work, or academic situations it may play a role. Clients learn and practice specific time-management techniques and coping skills to help increase efficiency, meet goals, become less distracted, and improve relationships. In addition, therapy can help deal with depressive or anxious feelings or self-esteem issues, which often accompany ADHD / ADD.
