ADHD Specialists Near Me

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FAQs:

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought). ADHD is considered a chronic and debilitating disorder and is known to impact the individual in many aspects of their life including academic and professional achievements, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning (Harpin, 2005). ADHD can lead to poor self-esteem and social function in children when not appropriately treated (Harpin et al., 2016). Adults with ADHD may experience poor self-worth, sensitivity towards criticism, and increased self-criticism possibly stemming from higher levels of criticism throughout life (Beaton, et al., 2022). Of note, ADHD presentation and assessment in adults differs; this page focuses on children.

What is Adult ADHD?

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems.

Though it's called adult ADHD, symptoms start in early childhood and continue into adulthood. In some cases, ADHD is not recognized or diagnosed until the person is an adult. Adult ADHD symptoms may not be as clear as ADHD symptoms in children. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but struggles with impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention may continue.

Treatment for adult ADHD is similar to treatment for childhood ADHD. Adult ADHD treatment includes medications, psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and treatment for any mental health conditions that occur along with ADHD.

What Type of Disorder is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

Is ADHD Genetic?

ADHD has a tendency to run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown. Overall, the risk of developing this condition is about nine times greater for first-degree relatives of people with the condition (such as siblings or children) as compared to the general public. People with genetic changes associated with ADHD generally inherit an increased risk of developing the condition, rather than the condition itself. When ADHD is a feature of another genetic syndrome, it can be passed on according to the inheritance pattern of that syndrome.

What is the Difference Between ADD and ADHD?

ADD, or attention-deficit disorder, is an old term, now out of date, for the disorder we call ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It was called ADD up until 1987, when the word “hyperactivity” was added to the name.

Before that, say in 1980, a child would be diagnosed with ADD, either with or without hyperactivity. But starting in the early 1990s, that child would be diagnosed with ADHD.

From the early ’90s until recentlydiagnosis included one of three types. Children who only had the inattentive symptoms were called inattentive type. Kids who were only hyperactive and impulsive were hyperactive/impulsive type. Kids who had all three symptoms were called combined type.

A lot of people still use the old term ADD, either out of habit or because it’s a more familiar term than ADHD. Some people use it to refer to inattentive type ADHD — without the hyperactivity. But it was never meant to be used that way, and continuing to use an almost 30-year-old term is getting more confusing.

Is ADHD a Disability?

Yes, ADHD is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).

There are several types of disabilities, including but not limited to:

- learning disability

- cognitive disability

- developmental disability

ADHD is considered a disability from both legal and medical perspectives. In fact, it may be categorized as all the above.

Can You Develop ADHD?

As ADHD is a developmental disorder, it's believed it cannot develop in adults without it first appearing during childhood. But symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers often continue into adulthood.

Is ADHD a Mental Illness?

While ADHD is technically considered a mental illness, you may also hear it called a mental disorder, especially in clinical settings. Those with ADHD may also use different terms to describe this mental health condition. What’s most important is getting an accurate diagnosis to find appropriate treatment. This will help you manage symptoms and improve overall functioning. If you think that you or your child has ADHD, talk with your doctor about your concerns. They can do an exam and discuss next steps with you.

Is ADHD a Form of Autism?

ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.

Can ADHD Be Cured?

While there’s no cure for ADHD, many treatment options are available to help you manage your symptoms. Clinicians call ADHD a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning that it affects a person’s behavior, memory, motor skills, or ability to learn. Other types of neurodevelopmental disorders include dyslexia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ADHD symptoms can get milder as a person ages, but the disorder doesn’t go away. Still, many adults who’ve been treated for ADHD live without symptoms and function at their best. It’s most helpful to approach ADHD as an ongoing disorder where you can manage symptoms — not as a disease to cure.

Who Diagnoses ADHD?

When seeking an evaluation or treatment for ADHD, it is important to see a qualified, licensed healthcare professional. In addition to ensuring that a particular professional has the required training, it is also important to work with a professional who has experience in dealing with this disorder.

There are several types of professionals who typically diagnose ADHD. These include: physicians (especially psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists), psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and other licensed counselors or therapists (e.g. professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, etc.).

In addition to those who may diagnose ADHD, there are numerous other professionals who may have a role in providing treatment and other services for individuals with ADHD and related disorders. These may include various types of therapists or specialists (such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, behavior therapists, educational specialists, etc.).

Is ADHD Neurodivergent?

“Neurodivergent” isn’t a medical term, condition or diagnosis. People who are neurodivergent have differences in the way their brain works. This is still true even for people with the same medical diagnosis. That means people with very different signs and symptoms can still have the same diagnosis.

Some of the conditions that are most common among those who describe themselves as neurodivergent include:

- Autism spectrum disorder (this includes what was once known as Asperger’s syndrome).

- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

- Down syndrome.

How to Know If You have ADHD

Has anyone ever asked you if you have ADHD? Maybe you've even wondered yourself. The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor. That's because the disorder has a number of possible symptoms, and they can easily be confused with those of other conditions, like depression or anxiety.

Not sure whether you should get checked by a doc? If many of these apply, you may need to get checked out.

1. People say you're forgetful.

Everyone misplaces car keys or jackets once in a while. But this kind of thing happens often when you have ADHD. You might spend time looking for glasses, wallets, phones, and other items every day. You may also forget to return phone calls, space out on paying bills, or miss medical appointments.

2. People complain that you don't listen.

Most of us lose focus on a conversation once in a while, especially if there's a TV nearby or something else grabs our attention. This happens often and to a greater degree with ADHD, even when there are no distractions around. But still, ADHD is more than that.

3. You’re often late.

Time management is an ongoing challenge when you have ADHD. It often leads to missed deadlines or appointments unless you work on avoiding that.

4. You have trouble concentrating.

Problems with attention, especially focusing for long periods of time or paying attention to details, is one of the hallmarks of the condition. Depression, anxiety, and addiction disorders can also take a toll on your focus, and many people with ADHD have one or more of these issues, too. Your doctor can ask you questions to get to the bottom of what's causing your attention problems.

5. You leave things undone.

Problems with attention and memory can make it tough to start or finish projects, especially ones that you know will take a lot of focus to complete. This symptom can point to depression, too.

6. You had behavior issues as a child.

You need to have had attention and concentration problems as a child in order to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult -- even if those early symptoms didn't come with a formal diagnosis. People may have accused you of being lazy back in childhood. Or they may have thought you had another condition like depression or anxiety. If you actually were diagnosed with the disorder as a child, you may still have it. The symptoms change as you age, and not everyone outgrows it.

7. You lack impulse control.

This is more than tossing a candy bar into your cart at the checkout line. This is doing something even though you know it could have serious consequences, like running a red light because you think you can get away with it or not being able to keep quiet when you have something to say, even though you know you should.

8. You can’t get organized.

You may notice this more at work. You could have trouble setting priorities, following through on tasks, and meeting project deadlines.

9. You’re fidgety.

Kids with ADHD are often hyperactive, but adults are more likely to be fidgety or restless. You might also talk too much and interrupt others.

10. You can’t control your emotions.

You might be moody or irritable, express frustration often, feel unmotivated, or be prone to angry outbursts. ADHD can make it hard to manage uncomfortable emotions or follow appropriate behavior when you’re upset.

3 Types of ADHD

Three major types of ADHD include the following:

1. ADHD, combined type. This, the most common type of ADHD, is characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors as well as inattention and distractibility.

2. ADHD, impulsive/hyperactive type. This, the least common type of ADHD, is characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors without inattention and distractibility.

3. ADHD, inattentive and distractible type. This type of ADHD is characterized predominately by inattention and distractibility without hyperactivity.

Causes of ADHD

Research to date has shown ADHD may be caused by a number of things: 

1. Brain anatomy and function. A lower level of activity in the parts of the brain that control attention and activity level may be associated with ADHD. See ADHD and the Brain from Understood.org. 

2. Genes and heredity. ADHD frequently runs in families. A child with ADHD has a 1 in 4 chance of having a parent with ADHD. It’s also likely that another close family member, such as a sibling, will also have ADHD. Sometimes,  ADHD is diagnosed in a parent at the same time it is diagnosed in the child. See Inheriting Mental Disorders.

3. Significant head injuries may cause ADHD in some cases.

4. Prematurity increases the risk of developing ADHD.

5. Prenatal exposures, such as alcohol or nicotine from smoking, increase the risk of developing ADHD.

6. In very rare cases, toxins in the environment may lead to ADHD. For instance, lead in the body can affect child development and behavior.

ADHD Symptoms in Children and Teenagers

The symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are well defined, and they're usually noticeable before the age of 6. They occur in more than 1 situation, such as at home and at school.

Children may have symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity and impulsiveness, or they may have symptoms of just 1 of these types of behaviour.

Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)

The main signs of inattentiveness are:

- having a short attention span and being easily distracted

- making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork

- appearing forgetful or losing things

- being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming

- appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions

- constantly changing activity or task

- having difficulty organising tasks

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness

The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:

- being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings

- constantly fidgeting

- being unable to concentrate on tasks

- excessive physical movement

- excessive talking

- being unable to wait their turn

- acting without thinking

- interrupting conversations

- little or no sense of danger

These symptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such as underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and problems with discipline.

ADHD Symptoms in Adults

In adults, the symptoms of ADHD are more difficult to define. This is largely due to a lack of research into adults with ADHD.

As ADHD is a developmental disorder, it's believed it cannot develop in adults without it first appearing during childhood. But symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers often continue into adulthood.

The way in which inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness affect adults can be very different from the way they affect children.

For example, hyperactivity tends to decrease in adults, while inattentiveness tends to remain as the pressures of adult life increase.

Adult symptoms of ADHD also tend to be far more subtle than childhood symptoms.

Some specialists have suggested the following as a list of symptoms associated with ADHD in adults:

- carelessness and lack of attention to detail

- continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones

- poor organisational skills

- inability to focus or prioritise

- continually losing or misplacing things

- forgetfulness

- restlessness and edginess

- difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn

- blurting out responses and often interrupting others

- mood swings, irritability and a quick temper

- inability to deal with stress

- extreme impatience

- taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously

Related Conditions in Children and Teenagers with ADHD

Although not always the case, some children may also have signs of other problems or conditions alongside ADHD, such as:

1. Anxiety disorder – which causes your child to worry and be nervous much of the time; it may also cause physical symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating and dizziness.

2. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) – this is defined by negative and disruptive behaviour, particularly towards authority figures, such as parents and teachers.

3. Conduct disorder – this often involves a tendency towards highly antisocial behaviour, such as stealing, fighting, vandalism and harming people or animals.

4. Depression

5. sleep problems – finding it difficult to get to sleep at night, and having irregular sleeping patterns.

6. autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) – this affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour.

7. dyspraxia – a condition that affects physical co-ordination.

8. epilepsy – a condition that affects the brain and causes repeated fits or seizures.

9. Tourette's syndrome – a condition of the nervous system, characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements (tics).

10. learning difficulties – such as dyslexia.

Related Conditions in Adults with ADHD

As with ADHD in children and teenagers, ADHD in adults can occur alongside several related problems or conditions.

One of the most common is depression. Other conditions that adults may have alongside ADHD include:

1. personality disorders – conditions in which an individual differs significantly from the average person in terms of how they think, perceive, feel or relate to others

2. bipolar disorder – a condition affecting your mood, which can swing from one extreme to another

3. obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – a condition that causes obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour

The behavioural problems associated with ADHD can also cause problems such as difficulties with relationships and social interaction.

Therapy for ADHD

These treatments focus on changing behavior.

1. Special education helps a child learn at school. Having structure and a routine can help children with ADHD a lot.

2. Behavior modification teaches ways to replace bad behaviors with good ones. Let your child know what behaviors you expect of them. Make simple, clear rules. When they lose control, have them face consequences that you’ve set up, like time-outs or losing privileges. Keep an eye out for good behavior. When they keep their impulses in check, reward them.

3. Psychotherapy (counseling) can help someone with ADHD learn better ways to handle their emotions and frustration. It could help improve their self-esteem. Counseling may also help family members better understand a child or adult with ADHD.

4. Social skills training can teach behaviors, such as taking turns and sharing.

Benefits of ADHD

If someone receives a diagnosis of ADHD, they should not be disheartened or allow the disadvantages of the condition to overshadow its numerous potential strengths.

Here are some of the ADHD benefits that someone may experience:

1. Hyperfocus

Hyperfocusing is a state where an individual with ADHD can focus on a task for hours on end, essentially tuning out everything around them. It often happensTrusted Source if the individual is doing a job that they enjoy and find interesting. While hyperfocusing, the person can improve their performance, meaning they work even more efficiently. This process allows them to complete a task without any distractions, and the outcome is often of great quality.

2. Resilience

Teachers view more than half of all children with ADHD as resilient. Living with ADHD comes with many challenges that those with ADHD must work against every day. These difficulties could mean that individuals with ADHD may experience setbacks and adversity, which they must overcome. Experiencing these obstacles, and working past them, means that people with ADHD are able to build up resilience because they have practiced recovering from setbacks more often than other individuals. While this may seem like a double-edged sword, overcoming obstacles and challenges and building resilience in this way can lead to a strong character and prove beneficial in many cases. Another study highlights the constant self-awareness that people with ADHD must have. They must be careful to not be overstimulated or bored, and find that balance in the middle, which again leads to greater self-awareness and therefore resilience. It is a form of self-protective strength, which again, can allow individuals to flourish.

3. Creativity

Those with ADHD are often highly creative, especially when given a goal-oriented task. Living with ADHD also requires people to approach tasks differently, which means they can become great problem solvers. Those with ADHD often think of unusual solutions because of their different perspectives.

4. Conversational skills and humanity

People with ADHD are often great conversationalists. This ability applies especially to those who have more of the inattentive type of ADHD. Those with ADHD are often talkative, which means that they can spark an intriguing conversation in most scenarios. Another study highlights that people with ADHD may have higher levels of social intelligence, humor, and recognition of feeling, or empathy. Study participants recognized their own ability to have a more positive mental approach, and in turn, more “social success.”

5. Spontaneity and courage

Many people enjoy the unplanned moments and adventures that keep life interesting, and individuals with ADHD excel in this area. Their impulsive nature lends itself to spontaneous activities that often leave enjoyable and lasting memories. People with ADHD are not afraid to do whatever they enjoy at the moment without concerning themselves with long-term implications or overthinking situations. Research suggests that this spontaneity can often lead people with ADHD to seek out thrill and adventure, with the added courage they gain from that spontaneity.

6. High energy

One of the defining aspects of ADHD is hyperactivity. While most people think of this negatively in terms of disruption to classmates or work colleagues, hyperactivity means that those with ADHD are excellent at sports and other physical activities. They have plenty of energy to burn and thrive in an environment where movement is advantageous and encouraged. This can have numerous positive impacts on a person’s life.

Tips to Help Kids and Adults with ADHD Stay Organized

For Kids:

Parents and teachers can help kids with ADHD stay organized and follow directions with tools such as:

1. Keeping a routine and a schedule. Keep the same routine every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. Include times for homework, outdoor play, and indoor activities. Keep the schedule on the refrigerator or a bulletin board. Write changes on the schedule as far in advance as possible.

2. Organizing everyday items. Have a place for everything, (such as clothing, backpacks, and toys), and keep everything in its place.

3. Using homework and notebook organizers. Use organizers for school material and supplies. Stress to your child the importance of writing down assignments and bringing home necessary books.

4. Being clear and consistent. Children with ADHD need consistent rules they can understand and follow.

5. Giving praise or rewards when rules are followed. Children with ADHD often receive and expect criticism. Look for good behavior and praise it.

For Adults:

A professional counselor or therapist can help an adult with ADHD learn how to organize their life with tools such as:

1. Keeping routines.

2. Making lists for different tasks and activities.

3. Using a calendar for scheduling events.

4. Using reminder notes.

5. Assigning a special place for keys, bills, and paperwork.

6. Breaking down large tasks into more manageable, smaller steps so that completing each part of the task provides a sense of accomplishment.

Risk Factors of ADHD

Risk of ADHD may increase if:

1. You have blood relatives, such as a parent or sibling, with ADHD or another mental health disorder

2. Your mother smoked, drank alcohol or used drugs during pregnancy

3. As a child, you were exposed to environmental toxins — such as lead, found mainly in paint and pipes in older buildings

4. You were born prematurely

Complications of ADHD

ADHD can make life difficult for you. ADHD has been linked to:

1. Poor school or work performance

2. Unemployment

3. Financial problems

4. Trouble with the law

5. Alcohol or other substance misuse

6. Frequent car accidents or other accidents

7. Unstable relationships

8. Poor physical and mental health

9. Poor self-image

10. Suicide attempts

How to Talk to Your Specialist about ADHD

Although ADHD cannot be cured, it can be treated. In most cases, people wait too long to bring their ADHD symptoms up to their physicians. Trust yourself enough and err on the side of bringing it up.

People with ADHD symptoms may hesitate to mention their worries about the condition to their doctor because they fear they'll be labeled a hypochondriac. Although ADHD is underrecognized in the medical community, experts doesn’t deny that the popular claim that ADHD is overdiagnosed has some merit. The real problem is actually misdiagnosis, not overdiagnosis. There’s an overdiagnosis of ADHD in people who want to take medication to enhance their academic performance but an underdiagnosis of ADHD in people who truly have it.

Once you’ve made the decision to discuss your ADHD symptoms with your doctor, it’s good to have a plan for how you will address the issue. Here are some suggestions on how to talk to your doctor about ADHD.

Step 1: Don’t Worry About Your Doctor Labeling You

Put away your fears about being labeled a hypochondriac. Trust your instincts if you think you have the condition or have had it for a long time.

Step 2: Make a Specific Appointment to Discuss Your ADHD Symptoms

State ADHD as your reason for seeing the doctor when you make your appointment. Don’t just bring it up at the end of an appointment for something else. Instead, make an appointment specifically to discuss ADHD.

Step 3: Explain Your Symptoms of ADHD With Real-Life Examples

Discuss your ADHD symptoms with your doctor and give examples of how they interfere with your daily life.

Step 4: Be Honest With Your Doctor If You’ve Tried Someone Else’s ADHD Medication

If you’ve self-diagnosed ADHD and tried medication (such as your child's ADHD medication), tell your doctor. Although it’s never a good idea to take medication that hasn’t been prescribed to you by your doctor, it’s important to be honest, and it may even be useful for a proper prescription.

Sources:

APA

Mayo Clinic

NIH

Johns Hopkins

Child Mind Institute

NHS

WebMD

Psych Central

Healthline

Healthy Children

Medline Plus

Medical News Today

Understood

CHADD

CDC

Cleveland Clinic

Everyday Health

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.