ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 8% of teens and adults, making it hard for them to thrive at school, perform at work, and build long-lasting relationships. The exceptional team at DuPage Psychiatric Care PLLC in Oak Park, Skokie, Hinsdale, and Wheaton, Illinois, specializes in holistic care for teens and adults with ADHD. They create customized treatment plans that may include medication, counseling, coaching, or other interventions proven to improve ADHD. Call the office or use online booking to request an appointment and take the first step toward overcoming ADHD challenges today.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the brain areas responsible for focusing, regulating emotions, and supporting executive function skills like planning, organization, and short-term memory.

Though ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, the condition may not be identified until the teen or adult years. ADHD challenges also persist into adulthood for many children.

What symptoms does ADHD cause?

Everyone occasionally feels hyperactive or has a hard time paying attention. But if you have ADHD, your symptoms are frequent and severe enough to interfere with family life, personal relationships, and your performance at school or work.

Each of the three types of ADHD has its own symptoms:

Predominantly inattentive ADHD

People with inattentive ADHD have symptoms such as:

• Difficulty focusing on the task at hand
• Being easily distracted
• Missing important details
• Making reckless mistakes
• Losing important items
• Struggling to say organized
• Having a hard time following directions

You may have a hard time listening when others are talking or find that your mind wanders in situations where it’s important to pay attention. 

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD

The symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity include: 

• Staying constantly active
• Struggling to relax or enjoy leisure activities
• Talking excessively without making a point
• Fidgeting in situations where you should sit still
• Interrupting others or shouting out answers
• Acting without thinking about the consequences

Hyperactivity may also be an internal feeling rather than a behavior. For example, you may feel agitated or nervous instead of fidgeting.

Combined ADHD

Combined ADHD means you have some inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

How is ADHD diagnosed and treated?

The caring DuPage Psychiatric Care PLLC team begins by learning about your symptoms and how they affect daily life. They may ask you to complete a questionnaire about your emotions and behaviors, and then they perform a psychiatric evaluation.

The team takes a holistic approach to treating ADHD, creating customized treatment plans that may include:

• Individual therapy
• Adult ADHD coaching
• Medication management
• Parent education
• Lifestyle interventions, such as improving your diet and getting regular exercise

While medication improves attention and diminishes hyperactivity, therapy and coaching can help you understand how ADHD affects your life and teach you the strategies and skills needed to improve your life.

Call DuPage Psychiatric Care PLLC today or connect online to request an appointment and learn to overcome ADHD.