Do I Have ADHD? Signs, Symptoms, and How ADHD Therapy Can Help
You may often feel like you can't focus during conversations. Or that you're struggling to stay on task at school or work. Maybe you feel like you're constantly making "silly" mistakes. These could be signs that you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether or not someone has ADHD, there are some common signs and symptoms that can help give you an idea. In this blog post, we will discuss what ADHD is, the symptoms, and how treatment can help. We'll also provide tips for managing ADHD symptoms too!
What is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is a disorder that affects how you pay attention, control your impulses, and your ability to sit still. Symptoms for ADHD usually start in childhood and continue into adulthood. If you have ADHD or think you may struggle with it, you may have trouble with school or work, or you may also struggle to maintain friendships and intimate relationships. ADHD symptoms can also lead to poor self-esteem, anxiety, and depression because of how they impact people’s daily lives.
There are three different subtypes for ADHD:
predominantly inattentive type
predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
combined type
What this means is that people with ADHD may struggle with different symptoms or have different combinations of symptoms.
For example, if you have inattentive ADHD you might not be the type to disrupt a class but rather you struggle with paying attention or following through on a task. If you have hyperactive ADHD you may be disruptive and have difficulty sitting still, but you may not struggle with paying attention. And if you have combined type ADHD, you will have symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.
What are the Symptoms of ADHD?
For you to be diagnosed with ADHD (as a 17 year old or older) you must have five or more symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or a combination of both. If you are younger than 17, you must have at least 6 symptoms. Symptoms will vary person to person and will depend on which subtype of ADHD they have.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can include:
Being easily distracted
Trouble focusing on one task
Forgetfulness
Appearing to not to be listening
Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include:
Fidgeting or trouble sitting still
Excessive talking
Interrupting others
Being impulsive
Combined ADHD symptoms can include:
All of the above symptoms listed
Trouble with school or work
Trouble concentrating during conversations
Being embarrassed about often making “silly” mistakes
ADHD testing and diagnosis from a therapist can help you understand your symptoms. At Monarch Behavioral Health we offer ADHD testing for kids, teens, and adults.
Tips for Managing ADHD Symptoms
It can be challenging to manage ADHD, however it’s not impossible! Here are a few tips that can help.
Plan out tasks ahead of time and prioritize your tasks
Planning out tasks ahead of time can help you to focus better when it comes time to do the task. It’s also helpful to break a big task into smaller ones so that it feels more manageable. For example, if you have a big project due at work, break it down into smaller tasks that you can complete each day. This will help to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
Give yourself extra time to complete tasks
When you have ADHD, it can take you longer to complete tasks. That’s why it’s important to give yourself extra time when completing tasks so that you don't feel rushed and can do your best work.
Building in time for breaks is a great way to make sure you're not feeling overwhelmed as well. It can also help you come back to your work with a new perspective.
Make a “self-review” checklist
Having a visual list of what you need to do can help to ensure that you don’t forget part of a task or something on your to-do list. Checking off items as you go can also give you a confidence boost while allowing you to see what still needs to be accomplished. For instance, if you are getting ready for work in the morning, make a list of everything you need to do before leaving so that you don't forget anything. Or if you're at the grocery store, make a list of everything you need before you go so that you don't have to make multiple trips.
Communicate your challenges and your plan to overcome them
Communicating your challenges with your teacher or boss can help them understand what you're going through. It can also help them to be more understanding and accommodating if they know what your challenges are. However, you only have to share this information with them if you feel comfortable. Talking with your boss or teacher about your challenges and your plan to overcome them can be a great way to receive feedback and support. But, you should only share this information if you feel comfortable doing so.
How ADHD Therapy Can Help
Just like ADHD symptoms, ADHD treatment will look different for each person. However, there are common treatments that can help you manage your ADHD symptoms. These treatments can not only help to improve your symptoms but help you to function better in your everyday life.
Working with a therapist can help support you in learning how to manage your symptoms and cope with your challenges. Treatment for ADHD can help you regulate your emotions, learn how to better focus and manage your time, and develop coping skills for when you're feeling overwhelmed.
Our ADHD therapists can provide you with tools and resources to help you live a more productive life. You don’t have to go through this on your own.
Begin ADHD Therapy in San Antonio, TX
If you're struggling with symptoms of ADHD, we encourage you to reach out for help. It takes courage to recognize that you need help and reach out. Remember, you are deserving of support.
Our therapists at Monarch Behavioral Health can help support you with your symptoms and help you to develop the tools you need to manage ADHD.
If you're ready to start counseling you can follow these steps:
Contact our therapy office and learn more about our therapy services
Meet with one of our ADHD therapists
Learn how to manage your ADHD symptoms and start living the life you want to live. Click here for more information on psychological testing, contact us, or call 210.384.1254.