ADHD Treatment
Is A Lack Of Focus Or Organization Creating Problems In Your Life?
Are you an adult who has been diagnosed with or suspects that you have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Is difficulty focusing or staying organized impacting your work, relationships, and everyday life? Does it feel as though you try extremely hard in all of your endeavors only to consistently come up short?
Maybe you find that you can’t maintain concentration on something unless it is of the utmost interest to you. Or it could be that you often misjudge how long certain things will take, resulting in tardiness and procrastination. And thus, you may regularly feel stressed, overwhelmed, and as though you’re constantly multitasking.
Perhaps you have a need to always keep yourself busy or find that you’re often fidgety. You may struggle with cognitive issues like forgetfulness or losing items. Or maybe you become intently focused on things that interest you for a short period of time before losing attention and moving onto the next thing.
As a result of these symptoms, you may run into challenges in your relationships. You might observe that your loved ones can be inexplicably angry, controlling, or hypercritical when it comes to some of your behaviors. Perhaps you tend to interrupt others or find that you’re regularly “putting your foot in your mouth” due to unintentional slip-ups or misunderstandings. Because of this, you may notice that those around you are holding grudges or building resentment while you seem to have no trouble moving on.
Living with these symptoms of ADHD can make life feel difficult and unmanageable at times. You’re probably wondering why you have to work so hard to function and accomplish basic tasks and goals. Adult ADHD treatment at The Davis Group can help you find ways to make your efforts align with your outcomes more equally.
ADHD Is A Widely Misunderstood Condition
Despite the fact that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is extremely common, it carries certain stigmas and misconceptions. For instance, the public has characterized ADHD and the now-defunct Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) as childhood issues that people grow out of as they age.
Even so, ADD/ADHD diagnoses are often missed in childhood. Moreover, ADD is no longer the formal diagnosis. Rather, ADHD has taken its place in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), regardless of whether hyperactivity is present or not, and is now much more commonly recognized in adult populations.
Regardless of when symptoms of ADHD surface, individuals struggling with it typically find ways to cope with certain setbacks, ultimately masking the core issue in an attempt to assimilate into a neurotypical—or what is considered “normal”—world. Therefore, those who went mis- or under-diagnosed as children are likely to grow into adults experiencing disproportionate stress and challenges on a daily basis without a clear explanation for why.
ADHD manifests in many different ways and is often mislabeled as something else entirely. While it’s true that symptoms of ADHD can mirror and co-occur with those of depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), adults who struggle with ADHD can often be mischaracterized as lazy, immature, uncaring, or incapable.
In actuality, ADHD tends to have a strong genetic component. There are also environmental and developmental factors that can contribute to the onset of ADHD symptoms, including childhood trauma, or drug use and high stress experienced by a mother during pregnancy. And despite the often misguided characterization of individuals with this condition as being less capable or competent, ADHD is prevalent among business leaders and creatives due to the fact that such individuals often become acutely proficient and knowledgeable in the areas that interest them.
As such, we at The Davis Group view an ADHD diagnosis as an opportunity. Granted, because of its impact on a deep neurobiological level, symptoms of ADHD can be very difficult to manage without the right behavioral/cognitive interventions and guidance of a therapist, but our clinicians specialize in providing treatment to adults struggling with ADHD.
ADHD Treatment Can Help You Manage Symptoms And Change Problematic Behaviors
Time and time again, studies have shown that the best treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication or supplemental intervention and talk therapy. And here at The Davis Group, we provide a nonjudgmental and supportive place where you can learn more about, vocalize, and find solutions for the problems that ADHD presents in your life.
During your first session, your ADHD treatment specialist will work with you to assess the severity of symptoms and which kind of ADHD you (may) have. Whether you have been previously diagnosed or not, you will have an opportunity to discuss with your therapist the ways in which your ADHD is making life harder, what your strengths and resources are, and how seemingly disparate symptoms of depression and anxiety may actually be related to attention deficit and hyperactivity.
As your therapist develops a stronger foundational understanding of your ADHD and the impact it’s having on your life, they will begin to tailor a treatment plan that aligns with your unique strengths and needs.
Using elements of psychoeducation, you will learn more about where your symptoms originate and how they manifest. And with behavioral interventions (including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT) and solution-focused therapies, you will be able to shift your behaviors in a way that improves self-esteem and daily function. In addition, your therapist may use narrative therapy to positively influence the stories you tell about yourself, as well as trauma-informed methods meant to target internalized distress.
Though it may initially be difficult to receive a diagnosis of adult ADHD, we at The Davis Group view such a diagnosis as a chance to have your needs met, rather than a hindrance or disability. With a diagnosis and the right treatment, you can learn how to enhance your executive functioning skills so that the behavioral, relational, and cognitive elements of your life can improve. As such, you can gain a sense of relief that you finally have a roadmap for the unique ways that your brain works.
The everyday elements of life—such as daily tasks, work, and relationships—don’t have to be so hard! ADHD treatment at The Davis Center can pave the way for new self-understanding and fulfillment while giving you tailored tools to increase your functioning to align with your strengths, values, and goals.
Maybe you’re interested in therapy for ADHD, but you have some concerns…
I am afraid of what others will think if I receive an ADHD diagnosis. Do I really need therapy? Shouldn’t I be able to manage this on my own?
The stigma surrounding ADHD is similar to the stigma surrounding any human struggle, in that it is a fear-based and shame-based misconception. What this stigma fails to address, however, is that we are naturally wired for connection—which means that we build strength by asking for help and accepting support.
The struggles that come with undiagnosed/unaddressed ADHD are much heavier and more impactful than the perceived judgments of others. And given that ADHD is a complex condition, professional insight is often necessary. If you were trying to gain a new skill or manage a physical health concern, for instance, you’d likely seek the help of an expert—and the same applies here.
I don’t want to be forced to take medication.
While medication can have a vastly useful effect on ADHD and how it shows up for people, it is never our job or desire to coerce anyone into something they don’t want or aren’t comfortable with. Our therapists honor the choices of each individual, and there are many options beyond medication that can help with symptoms of ADHD. As with all of our clients, the ways we address your struggles have to suit you.
I am concerned that ADHD treatment will be expensive.
Therapy is certainly an investment. However, like most investments that pay off, ADHD treatment can help you live a life that feels better and brighter, operate more effectively, and meet your goals and live your values. The costs you might incur with unaddressed ADHD can be much greater than those incurred by a period of committed sessions with a professional who can guide you toward meaningful solutions.
