If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), “more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”[1]
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that begins in childhood. It causes symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. If you have ADHD, you might have a hard time staying on task, deal with excessive energy, feel restless, and act without thinking or frequently interrupt others during conversation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 15.5 million adults and 7 million children have ADHD.[2]
While ADHD is a mental health condition, it is more accurately described as a behavioral disorder. Because ADHD causes behavioral concerns, it is mainly treated through evidence-based behavioral therapies and stimulant medication. Some people with ADHD need to take ADHD medication daily to experience a full recovery from their symptoms.
If you believe you have ADHD, you need to seek professional mental health services. The best way to achieve recovery is to receive support from an ADHD specialist in Fort Pierce. These professionals have experience in working with people who have ADHD, making them highly qualified to help you recover.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is ADHD?
- What are the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults?
- How is ADHD treated?
- How can you find an ADHD specialist in Fort Pierce?
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Psychiatric conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be hard to cope with. ADHD causes three main symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. That said, the symptoms can vary depending on how old you are.
If you are worried about your child’s behavior, it can be helpful to take a look at how ADHD presents in children. For example, children with ADHD might struggle to focus on one task, become easily distracted, forget assignments, have difficulty remembering instructions, struggle with staying organized, and avoid tasks that require focus and concentration. Children also experience significant hyperactivity symptoms, like excessive physical movement, restlessness, excessive talking, and trouble staying quiet.
If your child’s behavior aligns with the symptoms of ADHD, it’s time to bring them to visit a child psychologist. These mental health professionals provide therapy services and sometimes recommend ADHD medication to manage symptoms.
Symptoms of Adult ADHD
While ADHD can cause symptoms in children, you might not notice it until adulthood. Additionally, the symptoms of ADHD can present differently when you are an adult. Your family members might have an easier time recognizing your symptoms than you do, as they have an outsider’s perspective on your behavior.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults include:[3]
- Trouble staying on task – You might have a hard time focusing on or completing tasks that require your full attention, especially if you aren’t interested in them.
- Easily distracted – ADHD causes you to have a hard time focusing on a task, especially when other noises or distractions catch your attention.
- Forgetfulness – You might forget important things like bills, appointments, or birthdays.
- Difficulty organizing and poor time management – People with ADHD often have a hard time meeting deadlines and organizing their belongings or home. It’s also common to experience difficulty estimating how long a task will take.
- Lack of attention to detail- You might make mistakes at work, school, or home due to a lack of attention to detail.
- Restlessness- ADHD can cause you to feel restless, leading to fidgeting and an inability to sit still.
- Impulsiveness- You might make hasty decisions, spend money frivolously, or engage in risky behaviors without considering the consequences.
- Trouble controlling emotions- ADHD can lead to mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, and a short temper.
- Relationship challenges- Because ADHD can cause difficulty with communication, organization, and impulsivity, you might have relationship struggles.
- Academic and work issues- The symptoms of ADHD can lead to problems at work and school.
- Substance use- Your ADHD might make you more likely to engage in substance use or other risky behaviors like unsafe sex.
If you struggle with the symptoms of ADHD, professional treatment can help. ADHD can co-occur with a wide variety of conditions, including substance use disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, learning disabilities, and more. Attending treatment will help you manage your symptoms and live a fulfilling life.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
How Does Treating ADHD Work?
ADHD is a complex mental health and behavioral disorder that requires professional treatment. When you enter treatment for ADHD, you’ll receive an in-depth assessment. This evaluation will help the mental health professionals determine if you have ADHD, whether you have co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression, and create a treatment plan based on your needs.
Once the evaluation is finished, you will begin participating in behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD by teaching you coping mechanisms to manage extreme emotions, learn time management skills, and develop ways to keep yourself focused on a singular task.
In addition to behavioral therapy, treatment for ADHD often involves psychiatric medication. It is most common for people with ADHD to take stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin, as they balance chemicals in your brain that cause symptoms like impulsivity, trouble focusing, and hyperactivity.
How to Find an ADHD Specialist Near You
Treating ADHD can be a long process. That said, it is best if you attend a program that solely focuses on ADHD management. For example, mental health treatment programs like Agape Behavioral Center have mental health professionals who specialize in ADHD.
If you are looking for ADHD treatment options in Fort Pierce, you’ve come to the right place. The ADHD experts at Agape Behavioral Center can help you achieve symptom relief through a combination of evidence-based therapies and psychiatric medication.
Additionally, ADHD is often associated with co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression. When you attend our program, we will evaluate you for other mental health conditions and substance use disorders. If you are diagnosed with a co-occurring condition, we will offer a comprehensive treatment program that addresses all of your concerns at the same time.
Get Connected to an ADHD Coach at a Mental Health Treatment Center in Fort Pierce
If you are looking for effective treatment for ADHD and an approach that includes personalized care and evidence-based therapy, you’ve come to the right place. At Agape Behavioral Center, we have a wide variety of treatment options that will help you develop impulse control, learn how to focus, and lessen the symptoms of ADHD that impact your daily life.
Contact us today to learn more about your treatment options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Fort Pierce.
References:
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Mental Illness
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults
- Annals of Medicine and Surgery: Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a comprehensive review
