ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivy Disorder
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder often associated with young children but it can affect up to 6% of adults. The psychiatrists at Regeneration Psychiatry diagnose and treat ADHD in both children and adults. Treatment extends beyond medications and might include counseling regarding coping skills, changes in lifestyle or workplace setting, psychotherapy, and alternative treatments.
ADHD Q&A
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or both. The symptoms of ADHD may lead to poor function at work, school, at home, and in other domains. ADHD may also be associated with mood symptoms and anxiety.
The symptoms of ADHD often first appear during childhood, but the condition may not be diagnosed until your adult years. For many people with ADHD in childhood, the symptoms will persist into adulthood.
What symptoms occur due to ADHD?
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include:
Not noticing details
Being easily distracted
Having a hard time paying attention
Making reckless mistakes
Not following directions
Struggling to finish tasks
Forgetting to do tasks
Finding it hard to get organized
Zoning out or daydreaming
Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms include:
Restlessness
Being unable to sit still
Being constantly active
Talking too much
Interrupting or talking over others
Talking without thinking
Making sudden decisions
Leaving your seat during a meeting
How is ADHD diagnosed at Regeneration Psychiatry?
At Regeneration Psychiatry, our psychiatrists diagnose ADHD through a comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic evaluation, which is the gold standard diagnostic assessment for ADHD. Our comprehensive diagnostic evaluation involves thorough review of psychiatric and medical history, discussion of current cognitive deficits, in-depth review of developmental history, and assessment of level of impairment in your personal life and at work/school. Currently there is no biological marker, psychological testing, or computer assessment that can definitely confirm or rule out ADHD. If you have prior testing results, your psychiatrist will be happy to review those and take the data points into account in your diagnostic evaluation. If you have a prior diagnosis of ADHD from a previous provider, please bring your medical records to your intake appointment or send them to our clinic prior to your appointment.
Does Regeneration Psychiatry offer ADHD diagnosis and treatment to children?
Yes!
All psychiatrists at Regeneration Psychiatry treating children and adolescents have extensive fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry and are either board-eligible or board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry. Fellowship training and board certification is critical to ensuring that the psychiatrist diagnosing and treating your child has the adequate clinical experience and medical expertise to offer excellent and safe care.
Which child and adolescent psychiatrists specialize in treating ADHD?
What services are offered?
Evaluation and assessment
Assessment for ADHD using clinical interview and comprehensive developmental history
Assessment and review of other psychiatric conditions that could contribute to attentional problems
Review of your medical history including ruling out other medical conditions that could cause cognitive problems and consideration of potential medication interactions
Management of medications
Consultation regarding possible medication options, including stimulant and non-stimulant options, their individual benefits and side effect profiles
1-3 month follow up schedule in most cases
Adjustment and optimization of medications as needed
Counseling on non-pharmacologic treatment
Advice on management strategies and coping mechanisms
Discussion of integrative/complementary treatments
Discussion of psychotherapy methods and referral to therapists if needed
Collaboration with other medical providers
Assessment of need for accommodations at school or in the workplace
What treatments might I need?
Lifestyle change
Integrative or complementary treatments
Psychotherapy
Psychiatric medication
Intensive treatment programs
Your psychiatrist at Regeneration Psychiatry will carefully evaluate your symptoms and make an individualized holistic treatment plan tailored to your mental health needs and stage of life. Along with consideration of medications indicated for ADHD treatments, your psychiatrist will also discuss other treatments that can complement ADHD medications, including lifestyle change, integrative/complementary treatments, and psychotherapy. Regeneration psychiatrists are skilled and experienced in choosing the right medication for you and discussing their potential benefits and risks with you so you can make an informed choice about your treatment. They can also advise you about how to take the medication to benefit you the most while causing the least side effects.