ADHD Specialist

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a medical condition marked by an inability to maintain focus and a need to move or fidget frequently. Attention deficit disorder, or ADD, is the same disorder without the urge to constantly move. 

The two terms are often used interchangeably. Kids with ADHD have different brain activity that sets them apart from their peers. 

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Symptoms are divided into three categories.

Inattentive

Kids with ADHD struggle to focus their concentration or attention on any given thing. They might seem to ignore instructions, daydream, or be forgetful, and often miss critical information or lose track of things. 

Hyperactive

Hyperactivity can make kids easily bored, restless, and unable to sit still. They might behave in ways that do not fit the circumstances, like running or climbing during inappropriate times. Their behavior is often disruptive, even when they don’t intend to be.

Impulsive

Impulsivity causes kids to act before they fully think through the ramifications of their actions. They might find it hard to wait their turn, take things that belong to others, or choose risky behaviors. Their reactions to events are often more intense than seems reasonable. 

A person with ADHD might display many or just a few of these signs.  

How is ADHD diagnosed?

The process begins with an in-depth discussion about your child’s actions, as well as a history of how long the issues have caused problems. Your provider at Select Family Practice completes a thorough health exam to determine if there are medical causes that might be contributing to your child’s behavior. Other issues that often occur in conjunction with ADHD include:

• Learning problems
• Mood problems
• Anxiety
• Oppositional or defiance issues

These issues can be treated, and your provider can guide you toward a customized treatment plan that works best for your family. 

How is ADHD treated?

Treatment is focused on helping your child better manage their behavior. The practice can do this by administering medication, which aims to treat the condition by upping the dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Some common ADHD drugs include:

• Adderall
• Ritalin
• Concerta
• Focalin
• Daytrana 

Proper pharmacological treatment helps improve attention and supports better self-control. For some kids, success at school and in social settings depends on finding the right medication. 

It’s also about finding the right dosage of medication, commonly referred to as titration. Your provider starts with a small amount of the recommended medication and gradually increases the dosage to reach full effectiveness with minimal side effects.

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior and are interested in screening for ADHD, schedule an appointment with the team at Select Family Practice, either online or by phone.