Counseling and Therapy for ADHD
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD, ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder which affects an estimated 5-10% of children and teens and 2-5% of adults worldwide. Although they are typically diagnosed in childhood, attention disorders can persist into adulthood.
ADHD in Adults
More and more adults are receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. Although their symptoms and struggle were present since childhood, an accurate diagnosis was not provided until now.
If you think that you or your child may have ADHD, it’s important to seek treatment so you can learn effective ways to succeed without feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks and interactions.
Navigating Social and Emotional Challenges of ADHD
We know how hard it can be to live with the challenges and frustration of an attention-deficit disorder. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and to feel shame about behaviors and challenges you can’t control. Therapy is highly effective at helping individuals who struggle with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder.
Common Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD can present as a difficulty with paying attention, listening, and focusing within conversations, or with completing tasks. People can also experience hyperactive or impulsive behavior. Often, many of these symptoms exist together at once.
- Impulsivity
- Disorganization
- Difficulty with prioritization
- Poor time management skills
- Problems focusing on a task
- Restlessness
- Excessive activity/cannot sit and be still
- Poor planning
- Low frustration tolerance
- Forgetfulness / poor working memory
- Trouble paying attention, listening, and focusing within conversations
- Frequent mood swings
- Difficulty completing a task
- Angry outbursts
- Trouble coping with stress
- Problems following through and completing tasks
- Hyper-focused on certain things such as TV or video games, but can’t focus in the same way with school, work, or home tasks
Diagnosing Attention Challenges
It can be difficult to diagnose attention disorders. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders exist on a spectrum, which means that individuals with ADD or ADHD can experience symptoms to varying degrees and in different combinations. There are three main types of ADHD:
Inattentive
Predominantly inattentive ADHD may present as difficulty sustaining attention, forgetfulness, and disorganization.
Hyperactive-Impulsive
This type presents predominantly hyperactive and impulsive behaviors such as fidgeting, restlessness, interrupting others, and difficulty waiting their turn.
Combined Symptoms
The most common type of ADHD is characterized by symptoms of both inattention and hyperactive-impulsivity.
Managing Symptoms of ADHD in Daily Life
ADHD is a complex disorder that requires a multidimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. People with ADHD may struggle with completing homework assignments within given deadlines, avoiding distractions while studying, staying focused during conversations, making deadlines at work, or staying attentive during meetings.
Medication and non-medication treatment options for ADHD
ADHD medications can be effective in reducing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Your therapist will discuss the potential benefits and risks to help you make an informed decision based on your individual needs and medical history. We are also glad to provide a referral to an Illinois psychiatric ADHD medication prescriber.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often accompanied by other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and/or substance use disorders. Therapy can help address these co-occurring issues and provide a more comprehensive treatment approach.
Non-medication and complementary therapies
There are several non-medication therapy treatments that can be helpful for managing symptoms of ADHD. These therapy approaches are also used in support of medication as a complementary treatment for children, teens, and adults.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. For ADHD, it may involve challenging negative thoughts and developing coping strategies for managing ADHD-related symptoms.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations. For ADHD, mindfulness training can help individuals learn to regulate their emotions and improve focus and attention.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a person-centered approach that focuses on helping individuals identify and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. Your therapist works collaboratively with you to explore feelings and thoughts around problematic behavior and helps you identify your own motivation and commitment to change. It can also be used for a variety of other issues, including problems around academic underachievement for individuals with ADHD.
Additional supportive aspects of your treatment plan may include regular exercise to help improve focus and dietary changes such as reducing your consumption of sugar and processed foods.
Health and Healing Therapy also provides group therapy support for clients and parenting skills training for the parents of clients to support the work we do together in sessions.
Further Reading & Resources
- Guide for family members published by The National Institute of Mental Health: “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Teens: What You Need to Know.” Also available En español.
- Psychological Treatments in Adult ADHD: A Systematic Review: “The aim of this review was to examine the evidence base for psychological treatments for ADHD management in adulthood.”
- Effects of Group Psychotherapy, Individual Counseling, Methylphenidate, and Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: “To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy (GPT) compared with individual clinical management (CM) and that of (medication) compared with placebo.”
Benefits of Therapy for ADD and ADHD
A therapist can work with you to help you manage symptoms and achieve your goals. Therapy can also help family members understand the condition better and develop strategies that support their loved one with ADHD. Our therapists will work closely with you on a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
- Learn strategies for time management, organization, and planning
- Identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs to develop a more positive self-esteem
- Gain coping strategies for dealing with stressors related to daily activities that are personally challenging
- Learn and implement executive functioning skills (planning, focus, memory, etc.)
- Create systems that promote success in managing roles and life responsibilities
- Develop social and communication skills that improve relationships
- Accept yourself and increase your self-esteem
- Build skills that will help with distraction, impulsiveness, unhelpful behaviors, etc.
Therapy has helped people just like you find their way back from overwhelm and frustration towards success at home, school, and/or work.
Meet our Therapists
At Health and Healing Therapy, we can offer the right kind of help from experienced therapists who specialize in helping children, teens, and adults who have executive functioning and attention challenges.
Find your way back from overwhelm and frustration. You can succeed and achieve your goals.
You don’t have to let your diagnosis define who you are or how your future will play out. Our therapists can help you Grow, Heal, and Thrive.