Would you be surprised to learn that 11% of children and 8% of teens and adults are diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? With holistic treatment from the caring team at the Mental Health Clinic of Idaho, people with ADHD can improve their symptoms and learn the skills to find success in their home, work, and social life. ADHD treatments are available through in-person appointments and telehealth visits.

ADHD Q & A

ADHD is a developmental disability caused by changes in the brain areas responsible for attention, organization, and impulse control. As a result, you develop one or more of the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity).

Many people with ADHD also have weak working memory. Working memory holds several pieces of information in your head for a short time, allowing you to use the information to plan a task, solve a problem, or follow a conversation.

Is there an objective test for ADHD?

Yes, QB check is a computerized test that will measures your attention, hyperactivity, and impulse control. Mental Health Clinic of Idaho offers QB check. For details click here adhd-test-via-qbcheck

What ADHD symptoms might I develop?

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood. However, some people don’t learn they have the condition until adulthood.

You may be diagnosed with one of three types of ADHD: primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, or combined (having symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity).

Inattentive ADHD causes the following symptoms:

• Getting easily distracted
• Making reckless mistakes
• Missing important details
• Not finishing tasks
• Losing important items
• Struggling to stay organized
• Having a hard time following directions

Daydreaming during an important meeting or in the classroom is another common symptom of inattentive ADHD.

The symptoms caused by hyperactive/impulsive ADHD include:

• Fidgeting and moving around (when you should stay still)
• Talking too much
• Interrupting others
• Staying constantly active
• Frustration and nervousness
• Lacking self-control (acting without thinking)
• Needing immediate rewards

Everyone may occasionally be hyperactive or fail to pay attention. But if you have ADHD, your symptoms are frequent and severe, causing problems at home, school, and work.

How is ADHD treated?

Your Mental Health Clinic of Idaho provider tests for ADHD, then provides integrative treatments combining conventional ADHD treatments with holistic therapies that promote a healthy lifestyle and support your overall well-being.

Medication management

Stimulant medications boost attention and diminish hyperactivity by balancing brain chemicals. If you can’t tolerate stimulants or prefer to avoid them, your provider can prescribe a non-stimulant medicine.

ADHD medications come in several forms, giving you the choice of liquids or pills and a short-term or long-acting medicine, depending on your needs.

Psychotherapy

Therapy helps you deal with many aspects of ADHD, from learning organizational or social skills to building relationships and coping with authority figures.

Holistic therapies

Holistic therapies include stress management, mindfulness, improving sleep hygiene, and mind-body therapies like yoga, to name a few.

If you struggle with ADHD symptoms, treatment at the Mental Health Clinic of Idaho can help.