Attention Deficit Disorder

ADD & ADHD Treatment

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), once thought of as childhood conditions, are now recognized as affecting people of all ages. Individuals with ADD or ADHD are often highly intelligent, yet they struggle unnecessarily with day-to-day tasks or routines. Forgetfulness, scattered thoughts, and a lack of consistency can interfere with personal and professional accomplishments. Fortunately, the Delray Center for Healing has many effective tools and resources to offer ADD treatment. The Delray Center’s team of mental health professionals strive to help these individuals capitalize on their natural intelligence and become more productive.

What is Attention Deficit Disorder?

ADD & ADHD are mental health disorders that include patterns of inattention and increased impulsivity. Individuals with ADD have difficulty sustaining focus, are often disorganized, and are easily distracted. As a result, they typically avoid any tasks that required prolonged mental effort, such as school assignments, paper work, or extended projects. ADD sufferers are often mistakenly identified as rude or lazy, because they cannot follow lengthy conversations, are unable to complete tasks, and often lose personal items. But what they have is a brain disorder that prevents them from functioning normally.

In addition to a lack of attention, individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may exhibit extreme levels of restlessness and impulsivity. ADHD sufferers have trouble sitting still, even in situations where moving around is inappropriate. They may fidget constantly, be hyper-verbal, and be disruptive to others around them. For those with true ADHD, this excitable behavior must be chronic or long-lasting, and impair normal day-to-day functioning.

There is no clear cause for ADD and ADHD, although it appears as though genetics and early environmental factors may play a role. While some children experience a decrease of symptoms as they enter adulthood, for others it is a life-long condition, and the number of diagnoses of adult ADD has been on the rise. While there is no cure for ADD or ADHD, there are highly effective ADD treatments available, in the form of medication and behavioral therapy:

What to expect from the Delray Center’s ADD treatment

• The Delray Center for Healing treat both adolescents and adults suffering from ADD/ADHD. All prospective patients receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation from a Delray Center doctor prior to beginning ADD treatment.
• There are a number of prescription medications proven to work for ADD & ADHD. Your doctor at the Delray Center may suggest certain medications based on the initial evaluation, specific symptoms, medical and behavioral history, and the current medications you are taking, among other factors.
• Some ADD medications have the penchant for abuse. Newer medications are now available that reduce the risk of misuse. The psychiatrists at the Delray Center specialize in addiction medicine and substance abuse screenings, as well as ADD treatment. If you have ADD or ADHD, and also have a history of substance use issues, we recommend you contact us to discuss what treatment options are right for you.
• The Delray Center for Healing also specializes in treating co-occurring mental health disorders that may complicate an ADD / ADHD diagnosis. Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder are at a higher risk of suffering from depression, anxiety, or conduct disorders. In many cases, Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder may mask or be mistaken for symptoms of another disorder, such as bipolar disorder. Ask your psychiatrist if one of the Delray Center’s comprehensive outpatient programs would be appropriate for you.

Behavioral Therapy for ADD & ADHD

While medication can be very effective in reducing or eliminating the symptoms of ADD / ADHD, there are also certain therapeutic modalities that can maximize the benefits of ADD treatment. Therapy can help individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder manage feelings of internal frustration and guilt they may experience because of how the disorder complicates their lives. Behavioral therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are especially helpful. Both CBT and DBT provide therapeutic techniques that help with self-monitoring and self-regulation, in ordered to keep clients with ADD & ADHD centered and grounded. In addition, DBT focuses heavily on mindfulness and meditation, which provides balance to those with impulsivity issues.

If you are struggling with ADD or ADHD and are looking for structured psychiatric care, contact us today to schedule a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation with one of our mental health providers, to learn what treatment options may be available for you.