How to Get Help if You Have ADHD

When experiencing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), life can seem overwhelming. It is normal to experience impulsivity, and to reach out to get the help you need is also something you shouldn’t be ashamed of doing.

Living with ADHD can affect how you go about daily life. Your interactions, daily activities, and ability to adapt to change can be challenging. However, you are not alone. ADHD, which usually begins during childhood, is one of the most common childhood and adolescent mental health disorders. 

It can also stick around in adulthood, making it more common in society than it is talked about. You are not alone in this fight against ADHD. While there is no exact or right way to cope with and manage your ADHD symptoms, it is important to understand the symptoms of this brain disorder.

That way, when you talk to your doctor, you can know ahead of time what symptoms you’d like to report to them. Having a psychiatrist or primary care physician diagnose you properly is vital to planning a treatment program that will work for you.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a brain disorder that is generally cloned together with inattention and or hyperactivity-impulsivity. This can interfere with your development and function. If you feel as though you are experiencing ADHD, you may also be experiencing some of the following symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

It is important to note that many people sometimes experience inattention, unfocused motor activity, and impulsiveness. However, if you have experienced these feelings, emotions, and behaviors often and more intensely, then it could be that you have ADHD.

Signs of Inattention

These are some of the inattention signs and symptoms to look for:

• Overlook or miss crucial details or make careless mistakes during work, school, or other activities
• Difficulty in keeping your attention and focus on tasks or when in play (during lectures, conversations, etc.)
• Inattentive and not listening when spoken to by a peer, teacher, or friend
• Finding it hard to follow through on important tasks such as chores, work, school, etc.
• Difficulty in organizing tasks and activities
• Difficulty doing tasks in sequences, keeping things in order, managing time, or meeting deadlines
• Avoid tasks that require sustained mental efforts, including homework, reading, preparing reports, etc.
• Lose things easily that are needed, like supplies, paperwork, phones, etc.
• Easily distracted by unrelated subjects or thoughts
• Be forgetful in daily activities like doing chores, keeping appointments, running errands, etc.

Signs of Hyperactivity or Impulsivity

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor:

• Fidgeting or squirming while seated
• Leave your seat when others are sitting, like in a classroom or office
• Talking excessively
• Feeling restless or running and dashing around
• Being unable to engage in activities quietly
• Being constantly in motion or on the go all the time
• Answering questions before they are asked, finishing sentences, or speaking before others are finished
• Difficulty waiting your turn while in line or doing an activity
• Disrupting others’ conversations or activities

If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, it is essential to talk to your doctor right away.

Getting Proper Treatment for ADHD

To ensure you receive proper treatment for your ADHD, the first step is talking to your primary care physician. Your doctor may be able to diagnose and treat your ADHD symptoms and/or recommend you to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

After receiving a diagnosis, the next step is seeking out a licensed mental health counselor. By going to psychotherapy or talk therapy, you can reduce your symptoms and get the help that is needed for ADHD. Different therapy programs, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), work very well for those experiencing ADHD.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for ADHD

CBT helps you focus and concentrate on your emotions and feelings. In CBT, you will learn how to cope with and manage your specific ADHD symptoms. For example, your therapist may encourage you to think before you act or think of the unnecessary risks before acting upon them.

CBT helps to change “faulty thinking” or thoughts that hold you back from being your best self. The goal is to help you take time to think and focus on the present. All the while, you learn to be in control of your emotions. For those with ADHD, behavioral therapy can work when set in a proper environment, like a therapist’s office or in a group.

Living Healthier With ADHD

While there is no cure for this mental health disorder, there is help. Managing your symptoms is the first step to living a healthier life. ADHD is not an easy mental health disorder to live with, but you can plan a treatment program that works for you. Consider outpatient programs like the ones offered by Alter Wellness Care to get you started. 

Never be afraid to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. If left untreated, ADHD could grow worse. Therefore, talking to your doctor or psychiatrist about planning a treatment program is crucial to your mental health. There is help, and there is hope, and you are not alone in this battle.

Are you experiencing distressing mental health symptoms but aren’t quite sure why? Contact the team here at Alter Wellness Care. We are licensed medical professionals whose goal is to diagnose and treat you, along with providing an outpatient treatment program that works for you. We would love to help you cope with and manage your symptoms better. Our mission is to help adults lead happier and healthier lives despite their mental health conditions. If you have never been to our therapy sessions, such as group therapy or CBT, we encourage you to try them. If you have any questions about our clinic, we are happy to answer. Call Alter Wellness Care at (866) 311-3510 to learn more about our programs.