ADHD

An attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis usually occurs in children aged 4-7, and for at least one-third of them, the condition causes challenges throughout adulthood. Scott Lane, FNP-C, Sean Leonard, PMHNP-BC, and the team at NuGen Wellness Center specialize in diagnosing and treating children and adults with ADHD. Their comprehensive care includes assessments, medication management, and therapy that help you overcome ADHD and achieve success at home, school, and work. To schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment, call the office in Boise, Idaho, or use the online booking feature today.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs as the brain matures. During this period, changes in growth and nerve communication affect areas of the brain needed to focus, plan tasks, and regulate emotions. As a result, children develop the core symptoms of ADHD: problems with inattention and/or hyperactivity.

Everyone sometimes struggles to pay attention or feels hyperactive. However, ADHD causes severe challenges that disrupt daily life and interfere with the ability to succeed at home, school, and on the job.

What symptoms occur due to ADHD?

The symptoms you or your child experience depend on the type of ADHD. You may struggle with inattentive ADHD, hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, or both.

Inattentive ADHD

If you have this type, you deal with symptoms such as:

• Missing important details
• Making reckless mistakes
• Frequently getting distracted
• Forgetting to start or finish tasks
• Being unable to get (or stay) organized
• Daydreaming instead of paying attention
• Having a hard time following directions

You or your child may try to avoid tasks that demand sustained mental effort (like schoolwork) and find that you often lose important things like homework or keys. 

Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD

People with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD have symptoms such as:

• Struggling to control impulses
• Fidgeting when you should be sitting still
• Being constantly on the go
• Talking a lot and blurting out answers
• Feeling restless or impatient
• Finding it hard to wait your turn

You may have a tendency to interrupt conversations or a game that’s already in progress.

Combined ADHD

If you or your child have combined ADHD, you have some symptoms from both types.

How is ADHD treated?

Your NuGen Wellness Center provider learns about the symptoms and emotional and behavioral challenges faced by you or your child. They complete a psychiatric assessment and, after diagnosing ADHD, create a customized treatment plan. They also use electroencephalogram (EEG) brain scan testing to help determine a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment of ADD/ADHD.

Many children and adults improve with stimulant medications. Stimulants improve attention and reduce hyperactivity by balancing brain chemicals. If you don’t want stimulants or prefer another type of medication, your provider may prescribe a non-stimulant alternative.

Combining therapy with medication improves overall success, as therapy helps children and adults learn ways to overcome their ADHD challenges. You may need to learn ways to control emotional outbursts, improve social skills, or how to better organize your time and tasks.

You can overcome ADHD with individualized care at NuGen Wellness Center. Call the office or request an appointment online today.