ADHD

ADHD services offered in Newburyport, MA

Children are often rambunctious and inattentive, which is normal child-like behavior. However, when your child’s hyperactive behaviors or severe distractibility interferes with their performance at school or your life at home, you should have them assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The team at Safe Harbor Psychiatry offer expert diagnosis and treatment for children and adults with ADHD at their office in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Call the practice or request an appointment online today.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a mental health disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD impacts your child’s performance at school and can lead to low self-esteem and relationship problems with peers and teachers.

ADHD is classified as predominantly hyperactive, predominantly inattentive, or combined.

Hyperactive and impulsive symptoms include:

Fidgeting
Trouble sitting still during class
Constantly moving
Running, playing, or climbing in inappropriate situations
Trouble playing quietly
Talking too much
Interrupting others or blurting out answers
Trouble waiting turns

Inattentive symptoms include:

Making careless mistakes
Trouble staying focused
Doesn’t seem to listen
Can’t follow instructions
Poor organization
Inability to finish tasks
Frequently losing items
Easily distracted

While many of these symptoms are simply part of being a child and developing new skills, when your child’s behaviors are disruptive at home or school, medical attention and management may be necessary to help your child succeed.

What causes ADHD?

Psychiatrists and medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of ADHD. However, they know that ADHD runs in families and that genetics may play a role. Environmental factors such as lead exposure or maternal drug use may also contribute to ADHD. Studies also show that developmental issues in the central nervous system may increase the risk of ADHD.

Can adults have ADHD?

Around 2.5% of American adults have ADHD. While in many cases, ADHD symptoms subside with treatment as a child ages, they can persist into adulthood. However, when an adult is diagnosed with ADHD, they could have had the condition for many years without being diagnosed.

Adults display ADHD symptoms slightly differently than children. Some of the common signs of ADHD in adults include:

Reckless or impulsive behavior
Poor time management
Disorganization
Trouble multitasking
Poor focus or concentration
Low frustration tolerance
Frequent mood swings
Trouble coping with stress

Adults with ADHD are more likely to have trouble at work, both with developing relationships with peers and performance. This can affect your self-esteem and lead to problems in your personal relationships as well.

How is ADHD treated?

The team at Safe Harbor Psychiatry begins with a comprehensive assessment and cutting-edge computerized testing to diagnose ADHD. If you or your child has ADHD, your provider creates a treatment program combining medicine, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications to help control your symptoms and help you lead a healthy, active, and fulfilling life.

If any of these symptoms sound like you or your child, call Safe Harbor Psychiatry or request an assessment online today.