Attention Deficits

The ability to stay concentrated and focused is a cognitive function needed for everything from doing a task at work to holding a conversation. Some adolescents and adults have a neurodevelopmental disorder that can interfere with that ability, known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Previously known as attention-deficit disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition. It can cause a person to have concentration issues, feel restless and act impulsively. It can impact their ability to be productive, regulate their emotions and maintain relationships. 

Despite the name of the disorder, people with ADHD don’t lack the ability to pay attention. They have trouble managing their attention, especially for things that they aren’t interested in. 

ADHD can be broken down into three types:

• Inattentive — Difficulty paying attention, staying organized and finishing tasks
• Hyperactive-impulsive — Constantly moving, overly talkative and interrupting others
• Combined — Having a hard time staying focused and sitting still, leading to impulsivity

Combined ADHD is the most common type. Research shows that 66% of clinically referred participating adolescents experience combined symptoms. Inattentive is the second most prevalent type.

The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person. It can depend on factors like the type of attention deficit a person has been diagnosed with. The symptoms can also manifest differently based on the age of onset. But by learning what it looks and feels like, you can gain a better understanding of when further support is needed.

Common symptoms of childhood ADHD include:

• Constantly fidgeting 
• Daydreaming during class or activities
• Talking fast or excessively
• Struggling to stay quiet when needed (e.g., during reading time)
• Running or moving around in inappropriate settings (e.g., at the library)
• Not thinking about the consequences of actions before doing them
• Forgetting school assignments or supplies
• Experiencing intense emotional reactions, leading to outbursts

Common symptoms of adult ADHD include:

• Being easily frustrated or irritated
• Feeling sensitive to rejection or criticism 
• Being distracted by spontaneous thoughts or external stimuli, such as a far-off sound
• Having difficulty managing time
• Feeling unmotivated to start tasks
• Having difficulty multitasking
• Interrupting others while they speak because you can’t wait for your turn
• Forgetting appointments or important information

Approximately 11.4% of adolescents in the U.S., ages 3-17, have been diagnosed with ADHD. Even though symptoms usually become present before the age of 7, about 6% of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Being diagnosed with ADHD requires multiple steps, including:

• Consulting with your primary care doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist
• Being evaluated and assessed for challenges
• Ruling out other potential explanations, such as anxiety or depression 
• Aligning with the ADHD diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), which include having six of the listed symptoms for at least six months

It’s unlikely for a person to develop ADHD as an adult. However, symptoms may become prevalent as a person gets older. The symptoms may have also been misdiagnosed or brushed off during adolescence. It’s a lifelong condition, but it can be managed.

Whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe, ADHD shouldn’t be left untreated. With treatment, ADHD symptoms can be managed to alleviate their impact on your overall quality of life. The goal is to reduce the severity of the mental, emotional and physical symptoms that can affect daily tasks and social connections.

There are several types of treatment options that can benefit people with attention deficits. If you are diagnosed with ADHD, you can work with your providers to determine the most effective options. They’ll look at the type and severity of your symptoms as well as your medical history, lifestyle and overall goals.

Treating ADHD is usually approached with a combination of three approaches:

Medication 

Stimulants are the most common type of medication prescribed for ADHD. They include methylphenidate (Ritalin,Concerta, etc.) and amphetamines (Adderall, Vyvanse, etc.). Stimulants work to boost the neurotransmitters in the brain that impact everyday cognitive and executive functions, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. By increasing these neurotransmitters, you’re likely to experience higher levels of focus and impulse control.

You may be prescribed a nonstimulant like atomoxetine (Strattera and Clonidine), andthis may be prescribed instead of — or in addition to — stimulants. Instead of increasing norepinephrine, a nonstimulant prevents it from being reabsorbed into the nerve cells. Nonstimulants usually take longer to work than stimulants.

Therapy and interventions

ADHD symptoms can be reduced by developing the skills you need to improve your mental, emotional and behavioral health. There are different types of therapies and interventions that can help people with ADHD learn emotional regulation, improve soft skills and help their self-esteem.

Common therapies used for ADHD treatment include:

• Behavioral therapy — Often geared toward children with ADHD, behavioral therapy aims to teach strategies that can help manage symptoms that impact everyday productivity and function. It can include reducing negative behavioral patterns, improving organization and boosting communication skills.Behavioral therapy uses the approach of replacing negative behaviors with more positive or helpful ones. It can include methods like positive and negative reinforcement for lasting changes.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy — ADHD can cause emotional dysregulation and insecurities, leading to low self-esteem. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that addresses the connection between your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. The goal is to recognize and address negative thought patterns that contribute to symptoms (e.g., irritability).CBT for a person with ADHD will likely focus on reducing spontaneous actions by addressing impulsive thoughts, pushing through thoughts of procrastination and reframing self-criticism.

Lifestyle changes 

Your provider can suggest changes for your everyday life to reduce your ADHD symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Lifestyle changes should be used in conjunction with other treatment options, not the only approach. They can work as a way to continue improving your symptoms at home for long-term benefits. A few examples include:

• Diet changes (e.g., reducing sugar intake, which can exacerbate symptoms)
• Sticking to an exercise schedule to increase dopamine levels
• Regulating your sleep schedule (e.g., seven to nine hours for adults and eight to 10 hours for adolescents)
• Creating predictable routines to leave little room for distractions
• Practicing mindfulness for stress management 

Treatments can also be affected by co-occurring diagnosed conditions, such as anxiety disorders. For example, the fear of uncertainty can worsen ADHD symptoms, which can impact the CBT methods that will work best for you.

At Guidelight Health, we use two types of programs to help people with a variety of disorders and conditions, including ADHD. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) help adolescents and adults who require more intensive care for their ADHD beyond regular outpatient behavioral therapy or CBT.

These programs can be a great option for people who have ADHD symptoms that are interfering with their overall quality of life and aren’t improving with other treatments. This is a sign that it’s time for more intensive, structured approaches. 

People with ADHD who seek an IOP or PHP often have co-occurring conditions that are contributing to or worsening their symptoms. Examples include generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. Our comprehensive approach allows us to target the root of your symptoms to have a positive impact on the rest of your challenges.

Here’s what you need to know about our Intensive Outpatient Program and Partial Hospitalization Program, as well as how they can be used to help people with ADHD:

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

The next step above outpatient therapy is an IOP. It consists of multiple days of programming each week for approximately six weeks as well as a combination of individual and group therapy sessions for at least three hours each day. Through our IOP, we help people with ADHD learn how to regulate their emotions, gain insight on navigating challenges and improve communication skills to feel confident in their own abilities. 

An IOP is a flexible treatment option. It can be beneficial for people with ADHD who want to continue with their regular routines while still receiving structured support.

Partial Hospitalization Program

It’s possible to have ADHD symptoms that make it extremely challenging to complete your daily functions, but a PHP can help. Along with highly specialized group and individual therapy sessions, you will also be provided with medication management services. We want to make sure that your current prescription and dosage are safe and effective for your symptoms to get the results you’re looking for.

Our PHP provides a high level of care that still allows you to return home each night after a full day of programming. It’s a highly intensive program that takes an average of two weeks.

If you believe that you would benefit from an IOP or PHP with us, you can talk to your provider about a referral, or you can refer yourself, to get the level of support you need.

It can be frustrating when you feel like your brain won’t cooperate while you’re trying to finish a project or have an important conversation with a loved one. ADHD can pose challenges to your personal and professional goals as well as how you feel about yourself. But you don’t need to just grin and bear it.

The key to managing ADHD is early intervention. The sooner you’re able to recognize symptoms, the more effective treatment can be. You want to learn to reduce your symptoms before they take over every aspect of your life. If you start to recognize patterns of inattention, mood changes, or impulsive actions in yourself or your child, talk to your doctor about a potential diagnosis. 

At Guidelight, we want to make sure that everyone has the tools they need to take back control of challenges that are impacting their mental, emotional and behavioral health, including ADHD. We create comprehensive treatment plans that help you gain the resilience and confidence you need to move along your wellness journey. 

We use a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques that can help people with ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. We focus on skills-based training to help you develop the abilities you need to reach your goals.

We help adults and adolescents (ages 12-17) with attention deficits. We also treat other co-occurring conditions, including anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. We believe in helping clients get the support they need as quickly and efficiently as possible. Guidelight is a direct access provider. Whether referred by a provider or self-referred, you can receive an evaluation within 24 hours of the referral. 

Everyone has a seat at Guidelight. Contact our team today for more information. You can also schedule an initial evaluation for your attention deficits.