Are you often?
* Distracted
* Restless or
impatient
* Bored
* "Spacey" or lost in thought
* Impulsive
* Disorganized
* Leaving projects half
done
* Lacking in
follow-through, detail orientation, and planning skills
* Failing to live up to potential
* Procrastinating
* Running late because of time managment difficulties
* An adrenaline "junkie" who needs excitement or pressure to get things
done
* Stuck in negative thought and behavioral patterns
* Likely to get so
overfocused on a book or task that you lose track of time
* Not easily able to structure yourself or keep to a schedule
* Frustrated by the tendency to get in your own way of success
Adult AD(H)D, as in children, is characterized by difficulty concentrating
for mundane activities, excessive distractibility and impulsiveness, and
often (but not always), hyperactivity. While children with hyperactivity
generally appear as if driven by a motor (e.g. constant squirming and
moving), adults with hyperactive tendencies may experience
an internal restlessness or agitation.
If you have AD(H)D you probably struggle with finishing tasks and may
be known for leaving projects half-baked, sitting for months or years until
they are done. Distractability may lead to misplaced items or
careless errors, or difficulty feeling fully present
in conversations and relationships. Keeping things organized at home
and work might be an enormous challenge and your home and/or workspace might
be unusually cluttered. You might underestimate the time it takes to
complete tasks or have trouble with procrastination. You may also have
trouble controlling impulses and anticipating consequences, leading to
problems like interrupting others, blurting out oprivate
information, overreacting, impulsive overspending, or even substance
abuse.
Some people hesitate to get treatment because there are aspects of their AD(H)D brain that they like. This should not be a deterant to getting help. I am very cognizant of the positive personality traits that often accompany AD(H)D. For example, many people who suffer from aspects of AD(H)D enjoy an extra dose of creativity, artistic or musical flare, are athleticly gifted, work well in highly stimulating situations (as emergency room physicians or personanel, as firemen, as EMTs or attorneys in the courtroom), or are "out-of-the-box" thinkers who turn their stimulation seeking tendencies into a strength. I encourage clients to honor the positive aspects of an AD(H)D brain, while at the same time compensating for, and/or correcting its weaknesses. Many creative personlaities with AD(H)D fail to reach their potential because of organizational and follow-through difficulties. They have exceptional talent, but they can't market it in the right way because of difficulties with AD(H)D related "executive functioning". Treatment doesn't get in the way of talent and creative energy- to the contrary, it helps harness the energy so that it can be chanelled in the most productive and organized way.
Is there proof that therapy works for ADD and ADHD?
Yes!
There are many studies showing that medication without counseling is not
much better in the long term than no treatment at all (Satterfield, et.al.).
Expert Review of Neuro-Therapeutics
writes, “Medication combined with cognitive behavioral therapy is a
far more effective treatment, especially for addressing the emotional and
functional aspects of people’s lives and thus improving occupational,
interpersonal and emotional outcomes.” Therapy can also reduce the
dosage or even the need for medication at all. In fact, a recent
US News & World Report article explicitly recommends behavioral interventions prior to
medication for the treatment of ADHD.
I am very interested in alternative and complimentary treatments for
ADD/ADHD.
While I am not against medication, it can have side effects and does not do
anything to permanent benefit brain functioning. I am very excited to offer
neurofeedback as a safe, healthy, and permanent solution for many aspects of
AD(H)D. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, computer based system of
intervention which retrains the brain to be more attentive and balances out
any over or underactivity. This technique is explained in more detail on my
neurofeedback page. In short, electrodes are placed on areas of the head
related to AD(H)D symptoms in order to measure brain wave activity and then
guide it to the normal range. For example, 80% of AD(H)D sufferers have too
little alert "beta" waves in the brain's prefrontal cortex, and too many
"sleepy" "alpha" or "delta" brain waves in that area. Through neurofeedback
software the prefrontal cortex can be trained to have more beta waves, just
as a non-AD(H)D brain would.
I have personally seen this method change many people's lives. I am happy
to offer this as a treatment option because it gets to the root of the
"brain wiring" difficulties which cause AD(H)D symptoms.
I am also knowledgeable about natural supplements with research supporting
their efficacy and keep up with the literature on diet and lifestyle issues
that effect attention and mood. I can help you make empowered decisions
in handling AD(H)D tendencies, navigate alternative treatment options, and
monitor your success.
Call today, for personalized recommendations and counseling.... Don't let
ADD/ADHD related problems get in the way of your life!