ADHD

The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is all over the news and internet these days. Although the particular symptoms can vary both in type and intensity from person to person, ADHD is typically marked by inattention, carelessness, and hyperactivity in people of all ages. Regardless of your age, however, Christian counseling can help you learn to control the symptoms while directing you to Jesus Christ, the true healer of His people.

Does my child have ADHD?

Diagnosing ADHD can be difficult.In fact, there currently exists no standard way to definitively test for it. A number of things go into any diagnosis of ADHD, including (but not limited to) your general state of health, personal battles you may be fighting, and anything from your past that may be relevant. It is crucial to eliminate any other conditions that can either mask or imitate ADHD.

Common points in an ADHD diagnosis:

• Six months of consistent, inattentive, hyperactive,and/or impulsive symptoms that harm your social, academic, or work activities.
• ADHD symptoms experienced prior to age 12.
• Lack of a better explanation for various symptoms.

ADHD is widespread, with around 6.4 million 4- to 17-year-olds diagnosed as having ADHD in the United States alone. 40% will outgrow the disorder, but about 60% will continue to suffer from it into their adult years, putting the number of adults with ADHD at around 5%.

Do you suspect that your child or loved one has ADHD? If so, the time to seek help is now. You will no doubt want a place to open up about your struggles and fears, and Spokane Christian Counseling can be that place. We can help you analyze your family life, looking for any elements that may be contributing to the ADHD, and then we will help with whatever treatment is needed.

Although ADHD symptoms can vary widely from person to person, they generally fall into three main categories:inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

If your child is inattentive, they may . . .

• Struggle to pay attention to details.
• Look like they are not listening when being spoken to.
• Have a hard time following instructions.
• Struggle to stay engaged or to complete tasks.
• Often lose things like toys or homework.

If your child is hyperactive they may . . .

• Have difficulty remaining seated or sitting still.
• Run or climb at inappropriate times.
• Have difficulty playing quietly.
• Be a chatterbox.
• Easily get angry.

If your child is impulsive they may . . .

• Act thoughtlessly.
• Exhibit a very close personal space.
• Ask what are considered overly personal questions.
• Demonstrate impatience.
• Experience emotional overreactions.
• Frequently interrupt.
• Barge into other children’s games.
• Guess at answers rather than solving problems.

If, after reading these symptoms, you believe that your child may have ADHD, you should schedule an initial consultation with one of our counselors.It is our goal to give you the means to deal with ADHD in order to make your home life run more smoothly, and your family relationships to thrive.

If you were never diagnosed with ADHD as a child, you are not alone. Roughly one-third of adults diagnosed with ADHD never exhibited any symptoms as children. Add to that the fact that ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a number of other conditions and disorders.

What a mental health professional should rule out prior to an ADHD diagnosis:

• Learning disabilities.
• Large-scale or stress-inducing events like relocating 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.
• Bipolar disorder
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Sensory processing disorders
• Sleep disorders

ADHD symptoms for adults will include the following:

Symptoms of inattention:

• Frequent, easy distraction
• General disorganization
• Difficulty focusing
• Frequentcareless mistakes
• Difficulty staying on topic
• Trouble staying within social norms
• Regularly forgettingdaily activities
• Procrastination

Symptoms of hyperactivity:

• Frequently switching tasks
• General restlessness
• Being calmed by stimulants(such as caffeine)

Symptoms of impulsivity:

• Impatience
• Interrupting conversations in social or work settings
• Blurting out an answer before the question is heard
• Talking at inappropriate times
• Impulsive buying
• Making quick,ill-thought-out decisions

Living with ADHD is hard, and the symptoms affect every area of life, including work, home, family, relationships, and other social situations. This can lead to a life that is chaotic and full of low self-worth. Christian counseling for ADHD points out that you were made in God’s image, and so have worth as a human being.

Although it is possible for some people to manage their ADHD through counseling alone, the standard way of treating ADHD is through a combination of medicine and therapy. Symptoms of ADHD often decrease with age, so that a person may be able to eventually eliminate medication altogether and rely on counseling alone. Your counselor will want to work with your doctor to come up with a comprehensive plan for treatment that suits your unique personality and needs, and this may employ both medicine and counseling.

ADHD Medications

ADHD medications fall into two main classes: stimulants and non-stimulants.

Stimulants: Stimulants are by far the most commonly used class of medications when treating ADHD.Ritalin falls into this category, as do Adderall and Dexedrine. You have probably heard that these medications are over-prescribed, overused, abused, or cause addiction, so it is very important to learn about the risk, side-effects, and success rates of each so that you can make an informed decision about whether their use is warranted. A number of doctors specialize in ADHD treatment, and you should find one of them in order to avoid any kind of misdiagnosis or misapplication of ADHD medications.

Non-Stimulants: Non-stimulants are typically used to treat adult ADHD. Strattera, Catepres, and Effexor are some of the more commonly prescribed medications in this class. On the rare occasions where children are given non-stimulants, they are usually given Intuniv.

ADHD Counseling

Sometimes medication is not enough to treat ADHD. Twenty yearsworth of research has produced some significant breakthroughs in treating ADHD via counseling. Methods such as parental counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and behavior modification therapy have been demonstrated to be effective. Aside from this, however, Christian ADHD counseling provides:

Assistance for those with ADHD kids:

If you are the parent of an ADHD child you are aware of the huge challenge parenting such a child can be. You want the best for your child, and you want them to behave well, enjoy academic success, and function well in social situations. You undoubtedly love many things about your child, including their high energy, enthusiasm, and their endless imagination.

You need to understand that while ADHD is not a result of poor parenting, there are a number of things you can do to diffuse situations brought on by behavioral issues. Christian counseling for ADHD can provide you with the tools to help both you and your child learn to control the symptoms of ADHD without damaging their natural enthusiasm for life and their creativity.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for ADHD

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (or, “CBT”) is used to treat both children and adults, teaching them personal organization, focus, and self-control. CBT helps a person acquire a more accurate view of themselves and the world, and helps them see how their thoughts can shape their feelings and behavior.

Behavior modification therapy

Without question, behavior modification therapy (BMT) is the most commonly used method for treating children with ADHD. BMT involves authority figures rewarding good behavior while discouraging bad behavior so that the ADHD child’s behavior is eventually changed. Ultimately, your child will learn to bring their inattentiveness and impulsivity under control.

Trust is key in any counseling situation, and whether you or your child are diagnosed with ADHD, it is critical to find a counselor that you can trust.

Spokane Christian Counseling offers:

• Proven ADHD Treatment Methods – Spokane Christian Counseling has a number of resources available for ADHD treatment. Whether you are a parent or a victim, our counseling will help you to bring your symptoms under control.
• Accurate ADHD Testing – The counselors at Spokane Christian Counseling use cutting-edge technology and testing methods. It is vital to find a trustworthy professional who will get accurate results, which will enable proper treatment.
• Community of faith – More than mere science-based therapy, Spokane Christian Counseling provides an avenue to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the “Great Physician.” Where other methods have failed, Christ can heal. Spokane Christian Counseling can be a refuge for people of faith to find the healing that only the grace, wisdom, and promises of Jesus can provide.
• Christian Psychiatry – People come first. Medication, though often effective in treating ADHD, is not a cure-all. Spokane Christian Counseling will offer a range of options for you based on your particular needs.

We believe that all people have intrinsic worth because they are made in the image of God. Therefore, we try to minister to your unique needs, while recognizing that you also have unique qualities that make you who you are. Our goal is to provide you with the tools to live a productive life as that unique person before God.

No matter who it is that needs Christian counseling for ADHD, Spokane Christian Counseling can help.

To find relief from the challenges of ADHD, give us a call at (509) 209-8961 and schedule a risk-free consultation.