ADHD

An estimated 5%-11% of American children and adolescents have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At NextGen Medical, located in Clearfield, Utah, their team offers customized treatments to help children cope with their condition and lead fulfilling lives. Call Nex Gen Medical or request an appointment online today if you’re concerned about your child’s behavior.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent mental health condition that disrupts your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and control your impulses. Children are often rambunctious and energetic, but if their behaviors interfere with their academic success or disrupt your life at home, your child may have ADHD.

While children are most often diagnosed with ADHD, adults can also have the condition. Usually, when you’re diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, you’ve coped with ADHD for years.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

In children and teenagers, ADHD causes hyperactive and inattentive symptoms, and many patients live with a combination of both types of symptoms. Many of these behaviors are common in children, but if their symptoms interfere with their quality of life or disrupt life at home or school, it’s best to have a professional assessment.

Common hyperactive symptoms include:

• Can’t sit still
• Runs and plays at inappropriate times
• Fidgets or squirms
• Overly talkative
• Interrupts others or blurts out answers
• Has trouble with turn-taking
• Mood swings

Inattentive symptoms include:

• Struggles to follow instructions
• Forgets about chores or homework
• Doesn’t seem to listen
• Often misplaces items like homework or shoes
• Careless mistakes in schoolwork

Adults experience ADHD slightly differently from children. Instead of struggling with the hyperactivity that’s common in younger patients, as an adult, you’re more likely to struggle with attentiveness, decisiveness, and impulse control.

How is ADHD treated?

The team at NextGen Medical begins your treatment with a thorough evaluation of your current symptoms and medical and psychiatric history to develop a detailed understanding of your needs. Then, your provider creates a customized treatment program to alleviate your or your child’s symptoms and help you learn to control your behaviors.

The NextGen Medical team often combines medicine and therapy. Medication reduces and regulates your symptoms so you can focus on learning and practicing strategies to control your impulses, manage your time, or improve your organization. You or your child may also benefit from lifestyle modifications to your diet and exercise habits.

For help with ADHD symptoms, call NextGen Medical or schedule a consultation online today.