ADD & ADHD Treatment in Temecula, CA
ADHD is like a fog in the frontal lobe that gradually becomes a thick cloud in one’s mind, suffocating thoughts and putting pressure on the brain until one can’t think anymore, where one might then want to smash his/her head into something to shatter the buildup. The only way to clear the fog is to stop doing whatever one’s doing completely, or switch tasks, and the fog begins to clear. This is how some would describe what ADD and ADHD feels like.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders of childhood and adolescence, with estimates that it affects anywhere from 3% to 10% of school-aged children. Many of these children continue to experience problems into adulthood. The key to understanding ADHD is that it may not look the same in children and adults.
In children, ADHD is characterized by symptoms of inattention (e.g., easily distracted, difficulty following directions, losing things), hyperactivity (e.g., squirming, difficulty playing quietly, talking excessively), and impulsivity (e.g., difficulty waiting turn, interrupting others). Depending on the severity of the child’s ADHD, he or she may not initially experience significant problems in school. Some children are able to compensate until they reach higher grades when classes become more difficult and an inability to be organized and attentive is more likely to lead to academic problems.
While some adults with ADHD may manifest behaviors similar to those seen in children, ADHD tends to look different in adults. For instance, adults with ADHD may be forgetful, have employment problems, have a low frustration tolerance, exhibit poor organization skills, and be prone to procrastination. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have had a history of academic problems, have a higher rate of driving violations, be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, and experience problems with drugs and alcohol than adults without ADHD.
Once you or your child receives a diagnosis of ADHD you may want to start treatment. Medication may seem like an easy fix, and while it is effective in helping control ADHD symptoms, it is important to understand that the research has demonstrated that psychosocial (e.g., non-medical) treatment also plays a vital rule in successful management of ADHD symptoms.