ADHD

You will keep in perfect peacethose whose minds are steadfast,because they trust in you. – Isaiah 26:3

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition characterized by three categories of symptoms: inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Symptoms differ from person to person and vary in intensity. The condition is most common in children but can affect adults as well. Christian counseling for ADHD can teach people of all ages how to better control their symptoms, but most importantly it can direct you to the support found in Christ as you continue your journey with God.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

When evaluating for ADHD, many components are considered. There is no standardized test for ADHD, but by looking at your current condition and struggles and personal history, and by ruling out other issues that can cause similar symptoms, your physician can reach an accurate diagnosis.

Some common standards for diagnosing ADHD include:

• A recurring pattern of at least six months of inattentive, hyperactive,and/or impulsive symptoms that negatively affect your social, academic, or occupational activities.
• Several symptoms experienced before age 12.
• Symptoms that are not better explained by another cause.

Approximately 6.4 million children (ages 4-17) have been diagnosed with ADHD in the United States. Many children with ADHD outgrow this disorder. About 60% still have the disorder as adults, resulting in a total of about 5% of adults with ADHD in the U.S.

If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, don’t be afraid to get help. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we offer a safe place for you to address your concerns. During our sessions together, we will also evaluate other components that might be causing symptoms, and provide you with the treatment you need. Should you need Christian ADHD counseling, rest assured that you and your loved ones are in the hands of skilled, compassionate professionals.

If your child lives with ADHD, you know how difficult it can be. Struggling to focus on even the simplest of tasks, forgetfulness, and a tendency to become easily distracted can take its toll. Though symptoms vary from person to person, most ADHD symptoms fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Inattentive kids might:

• Have a hard time paying attention to details.
• Appear not to listen when someone is speaking to them.
• Demonstrate difficulty following instructions.
• Get bored easily and struggle to complete tasks.
• Frequently misplace things like toys and homework.

Hyperactive kids might:

• Squirm while seated.
• Have difficulty staying seated.
• Run or climb when it’s not appropriate to do so.
• Have trouble playing quietly.
• Talk a lot.
• Have a quick temper.

Impulsive kids might:

• Act without thinking.
• Invade other people’s space or ask overly personal questions.
• Have difficulty waiting patiently.
• Overreact emotionally.
• Interrupt others often.
• Intrude on other children’s games.
• Guess at answers rather than solving problems.

If several of these symptoms describe your child, feel free to schedule an initial assessment with one of our highly trained ADHD counselors. We’d love to equip your family with practical coping tools to make your home run more smoothly, which will ultimately lead to stronger relational bonds.

“I Think I Have ADHD” – ADHD in Adulthood

ADHD often goes undiagnosed in childhood. In fact, approximately one-third of people with adult ADHD never experienced hyperactive or impulsive behaviors in childhood. Seattle Christian Counseling is one of the leading places for ADHD counseling for adults in the area.

Having said that, other factors such as certain medical and psychological disorders do create similar symptoms. Sometimes elements such as stress can also lead to an onset of ADHD symptoms. Before an ADHD diagnosis is made, your mental health professional should rule out possibility of:

• Learning disabilities.
• Major or stressful life events such as moving or the death of a loved one.
• Psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and mood or behavior disorders.
• Medical conditions including thyroid disease, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.

If you’re an adult being tested for ADHD, your physician should first consider the possibility of:

• Bipolar disorder.
• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Sensory processing disorders.
• Sleep disorders.

As mentioned above, ADHD symptoms primarily fall into three main categories: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Adult ADHD symptoms related to inattention include:

• Easily distracted
• Disorganized
• Lack of focus
• Tendency to make careless mistakes
• Difficulty staying on topic
• Trouble following social rules
• Forgetful about daily activities

Difficulties paying attention can affect your work, relationships, or social situations. A person with ADHD might battle with procrastination or frequently move from one uncompleted task to another.

Adult symptoms of hyperactivity include:

• Frequently moving from one task to another
• Feeling restless during times of calm or quiet
• Substances that often stimulate others (such as caffeine) might have a calming effect

In adults, hyperactivity often surfaces in the form of restless feelings or a tendency to find stimulating activities calming.

Adult symptoms of impulsivity include:

• Impatience
• Talking out of turn, sometimes causing problems in social or work settings
• Blurting out answers before someone finishes asking a question
• Starting conversations at inappropriate times
• Impulsive buying
• Making quick decisions without thinking them through

An impulsive nature can lead to doing things that are risky or inappropriate without stopping to think about the consequences.

Living with ADHD can seem like a life of chaos. You might be easily overwhelmed by it all and fear that you’ll never amount to anything. Christian ADHD counseling challenges these thoughts by helping you reach your full, God-given potential.

In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of medications and therapy. However, there are those who can learn to control their symptoms well enough with counseling alone depending on the severity of the symptoms. Sometimes symptoms of ADHD lessen as a person ages, and they might respond well to decreasing or eliminating their medications while focusing on psychological treatment methods.

At Seattle Christian Counseling, your counselor may ask to work with your physician to develop a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. This might include a mix of ADHD counseling techniques and medications.

Medications for ADHD

What medications are used for treating ADHD? There are two classes of ADHD medications: stimulants and non-stimulants.

Stimulants: Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for treating ADHD. Stimulants decrease hyperactivity and improve concentration. Some of the most common include Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin. Many parents are concerned about the overuse, abuse, and dependency of these medications. It’s important to educate yourself about the risks and rewards of these medications so that you can determine whether the need outweighs the possible side effects. Finding a health care professional you can trust who specializes in ADHD diagnostics and treatment is very important in order to avoid misdiagnosis and misuse of ADHD medications.

Non-Stimulants: Most adults with ADHD benefit from non-stimulant medications such as Strattera and Catapres. The non-stimulant, Intuniv is shown effective for children ages 6 to 17. Sometimes antidepressants such as Effexor work well for adults.

Psychological Therapy for ADHD

Medications are not always enough to combat the symptoms of ADHD. For the past two decades, strides have been made in treating ADHD through psychosocial interventions such as parent counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and behavior modification therapy. Christian ADHD Counseling offers:

• Help for parents of children with ADHD – As a parent, knowing how to best deal with a child that is hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive can be challenging. You want your child to behave well and succeed socially and academically. You also embrace many things about your child, such as their creative nature, energy, and enthusiasm. It’s important to understand that ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, but there are effective strategies that can help you solve behavior problems. Christian ADHD counseling will help you learn how to help your child control their symptoms without sacrificing their natural playfulness and creativity.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD – Adults and children with ADHD can benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). By using these techniques, you will gain a better understanding of how you view yourself and your surroundings and how those thoughts impact the way you feel and behave. CBT helps children and adults with ADHD become more organized, stay focused, and improves ability to control emotions.
• Behavior modification therapy – Behavior therapy for children with ADHD is usually very successful and is the most commonly used method. The parents, child, and counselor work together to help change behavior by rewarding positive behaviors and discouraging negative behaviors. Your child will also learn skills for controlling issues with inattention and impulsivity.

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. – Psalm 105:4

Whether you are a parent seeking ADHD counseling for your child or an adult who is seeking relief from ADHD symptoms, it is crucial to find help from someone you can trust. There are many reasons to turn to Seattle Christian Counseling including:

• Trusted ADHD Treatment Options – There are many resources for ADHD treatment at Seattle Christian Counseling. Whether you are a parent of a child who struggles with ADHD or you suffer from adult ADHD, Christian ADHD counseling can greatly help you control your symptoms. We also provide support through group counseling and family counseling.
• Reliable ADHD Testing – Our skilled professionals at Seattle Christian Counseling provide you with the latest technology and techniques for psychological testing. Finding someone you can trust to produce accurate results is of utmost importance so that you are provided with proper ADHD treatment.
• Faith First – Seattle Christian Counseling offers more than just science-based therapy. We have seen healing in Christ where traditional methods fail. We provide people of faith a place for recovery that focuses on the grace, wisdom, and promises of Jesus.
• Christian Psychiatry – We put people first. Medication is often used to help treat ADHD but it’s not for everyone. Discover with us your particular needs and options while holding true to the values of your faith.

People with ADHD are wonderfully made by God. At Seattle Christian Counseling, our aim is to nurture the unique qualities you possess that make you who you are while offering solutions for living a more productive and successful life in Christ.

Find relief from the challenges of ADHD. Give us a call at 206-388-3929 to schedule your risk-free consultation*.