Welcome to the spectrum of neurodiversity! Maybe this is something you have dealt with your whole life and just got a diagnosis as an adult, maybe your child recently got a diagnosis, or maybe you have felt a connection to symptoms of ADHD and are curious. Internet searches or speaking to your doctor may have left you more confused or just overwhelmed. Speaking to a counselor who specializes in ADHD could be beneficial in helping you connect those dots and in learning how to incorporate this diagnosis into your and your family’s lives.  

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a medical condition. We are continuously learning more about it. In the recent past, there were two separate diagnoses- ADD for attention deficit disorder for those who did not display outward hyperactivity and ADHD for those who did display hyperactivity. Even before those names, ADHD existed. Perhaps our parents or grandparents were just told they needed to focus and work harder, stop talking, sit still, and do what they were told. Now, we know that these are signs of ADHD and can be broken down into inattentive type, hyperactive type, or combined type. The main criteria is still that ADHD affects behavior, has a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity including impulsivity, and it interferes with typical functioning and development. 

There are almost too many symptoms and signs of ADHD to list. One thing I have noted in my work is that ADHD does seem to be a misnomer. Focus is not always a problem. Something new, interesting, or intriguing can pull someone into extreme focus and with such attention that time blindness may occur. Impulsive actions are also a big warning sign, that while included in some descriptions, maybe it should be a headliner in the name. A separate issue with the long list of symptoms is that other problems can masquerade as ADHD and lead to a misdiagnosis. Things like anxiety, sleep problems, some learning disabilities, and even just a dysregulated nervous system can lead to similar symptoms of ADHD. Learning more about this diagnosis and what options there are to cope with it becomes even more vital when we consider other diagnoses, the misnamed label, and the pop-culture context of “oh look a squirrel” as describing ADHD.

It is key to get a comprehensive assessment through a professional, such as a psychologist or physician specifically trained in testing and diagnosing ADHD. Along with that, it is important to know about your options in dealing with an ADHD diagnosis. Medication is a common response, the stimulants are often controlled substances and there is an Adderall shortage at the moment. Parents need to be educated on how ADHD can present in children and how to make adjustments at home. Training and education for parents should always be a first step. Counseling can teach parents, children, and adults with ADHD about the therapeutic options they have in treating their ADHD. Counseling also provides the one-on-one support and information you may need after getting a new diagnosis. Therapy, education, a healthy lifestyle, regulating the nervous system, and learning coping skills can all be advantageous and help to make life easier.

Some important takeaways: ADHD is considered highly genetic and a neurological disorder (in other words, it is not your fault), it should be considered an explanation for the things you are experiencing and trying to deal with, it can look different in each person, and there are options in coping with ADHD including medication and therapy. An ADHD diagnosis may feel overwhelming, unreal, or it may make sense and give you a feeling of “oh, that’s why”. You are not alone in dealing with this and most people who find the right treatment path and support are able to manage their ADHD successfully. 

If you are considering counseling for ADHD, it can be helpful in a variety of ways. Counseling can help you learn more about ADHD and its many traits. You may be able to pinpoint how it is impacting your life and where you would like changes to be made. Counseling can empower you to understand yourself better and take control in the ways you need. Counseling can teach coping skills to help you deal with your specific symptoms of ADHD. Some skills might look like time-management, organization, recognizing intrusive thoughts, taking control over impulses, positive self-esteem, learning stress management techniques, and behavior therapy techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence based practice in managing ADHD symptoms. Counseling also provides a safe and supportive environment so you are not alone with figuring this all out. The emotional support, understanding, and judgment-free zone of counseling can help you feel in control, confident, and capable.