ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects children and adults, causing frequent, severe symptoms that disrupt family life, make it hard to build friendships or socialize, and sabotage your success at school and work. The ADHD specialists at Psychiatry of Atlanta, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia, offer holistic care for ADHD, creating personalized treatment plans that help you overcome your ADHD challenges. Call the office today or book an appointment online to learn about integrative treatment options for ADHD.

What is ADHD?

ADHD occurs when changes in brain structures and nerve networks affect your ability to pay attention, control impulses, and emotions, stay focused despite distractions, and organize your time. The condition also affects working memory, which makes it hard to remember instructions or retain the information needed for learning.

While ADHD is usually diagnosed in children, some people don’t learn they have the disorder until adulthood. About two-thirds of children with ADHD continue struggling with the condition’s challenges throughout their adult years.

What ADHD symptoms might I have?

Your symptoms depend on whether you have inattentive ADHD, hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, or combined ADHD (with symptoms from both types).

People with predominantly inattentive ADHD have problems like:

• 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 instead of paying attention

People with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD have the following symptoms:

• Fidgeting and moving (when they should be sitting still)
• Talking too much
• Interrupting others
• Staying on-the-go (high energy)
• Lacking impulse control
• Not waiting to take their turn
• Needing immediate rewards

Everyone occasionally has problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The difference in ADHD is that these problems are frequent and severe enough to cause problems at school, work, and home.

What treatments improve ADHD?

Psychiatry of Atlanta, Inc. specializes in integrative treatments for ADHD. Your customized treatment plan may include the following:

Medication

Stimulant medications improve attention and decrease hyperactive behaviors. Your provider may prescribe a nonstimulant medication if you or your child have side effects or prefer to avoid stimulants.

They can also customize each person’s medication to meet their unique needs. For example, stimulants come in short-term and long-acting forms. Parents can also get liquid medication for children who can swallow a pill.

Behavioral therapy

Therapy helps you learn how ADHD affects your life and teaches skills for managing your challenges. For example, you or your child may need to learn organizational or socialization skills.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

TMS uses safe, painless magnetic pulses to stimulate and balance nerves in the brain areas associated with ADHD.

Lifestyle modifications

Your provider may suggest dietary changes, exercise, or other lifestyle solutions, like mindfulness meditation or yoga, proven to help ADHD.

Call Psychiatry of Atlanta, Inc. today or request an appointment online to get expert care for ADHD.