ADD and ADHD

Around 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and live with symptoms that disrupt their attentiveness and impulse control. At Clarity Psychiatry Care in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, skilled Child, Adolescent, And Adult Psychiatry specialists Dr. Amy Carnall, DNP, APN, PMHMP-BC, and Christina Sertway, APN, PMHNP-BC, diagnose ADHD and attention deficit disorder (ADD) and provide personalized treatment to help you or your child thrive. Call the office or schedule an evaluation online today.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a mental health disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to focus and regulate impulses. Both ADHD and ADD are usually diagnosed in children. However, symptoms can emerge in adults as well.

ADHD can negatively impact your quality of life when left untreated. It often contributes to poor performance at work or school, problems making friends, low self-confidence, self-esteem, and underachievement.

What are the signs of ADHD?

ADHD symptoms are hyperactive, inattentive, or a combination of both. Children and adults tend to experience slightly different signs of the condition, and each case is unique to the individual.

Typical ADHD symptoms in children include:

• Trouble staying focused during school or at play
• Doesn’t seem to listen
• Difficulty following instructions and finishing schoolwork
• Losing items like toys, pencils, and homework
• Forgetting to do chores
• Fidgeting
• Running and playing at inappropriate times
• Can’t sit still during class
• Talking too much
• Trouble waiting for turns

 Common signs of ADHD in adults include:

• Impulsiveness
• Reckless or self-destructive behaviors
• Poor time management 
• Missing deadlines 
• Poor planning skills
• Can’t multitask
• Frequently late
• Low frustration tolerance
• Mood swings and irritability
• Poor stress management skills

While everyone experiences these symptoms from time to time, when you experience persistent and continuous ADHD symptoms can disrupt your life.

When should I talk to a health care provider about ADHD?

You should make an appointment at Clarity Psychiatry Care if you have ADHD symptoms and signs that interfere with your quality of life.

If you’re a parent or teacher, it might be challenging to tell if a child has ADHD or is merely energetic and interested in many things. A good rule of thumb is that if the child’s behavior disrupts family life or causes problems at school, the child could benefit from a psychiatric evaluation.  

How do you treat ADHD?

After your intake meeting and initial evaluation, the Clarity Psychiatry Care team creates a customized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and restore your quality of life.

You might benefit from medication to regulate your brain activity and reduce your symptoms, combined with therapy to learn and practice techniques to improve your focus and impulse control.

Many patients also find that making healthier dietary choices and exercising daily helps them feel better.

Call Clarity Psychiatry Care, or make an appointment online today for expert and compassionate treatment for ADHD.