Children are often rambunctious and inattentive, which is normal child-like behavior. However, when your child’s hyperactive behaviors or severe distractibility interferes with their performance at school or your life at home, you should have them assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At Unity Behavioral Health based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lexie Barton, FNP, offers expert diagnosis and treatment through telemedicine for children and adults with ADHD. Call the practice or schedule a telemedicine appointment online today.
ADHD is a mental health disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD impacts your child’s performance at school and can lead to low self-esteem and relationship problems with peers and teachers.
ADHD is classified as predominantly hyperactive, predominantly inattentive, or combined.
Hyperactive and impulsive symptoms include:
Inattentive symptoms include:
While many of these symptoms are simply part of being a child and developing new skills, when your child’s behaviors are disruptive at home or school, medical attention and management may be necessary to help your child succeed.
Psychiatrists and medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of ADHD. However, they know that ADHD runs in families and that genetics may play a role.
Environmental factors such as lead exposure or maternal drug use may also contribute to ADHD. Studies also show that developmental issues in the central nervous system may increase the risk of ADHD.
Around 2.5% of American adults have ADHD. While in many cases, ADHD symptoms subside with treatment as a child ages, they can persist into adulthood.
However, when an adult is diagnosed with ADHD, they could have had the condition for many years without being diagnosed.
Adults display ADHD symptoms slightly differently than children. Some of the common signs of ADHD in adults include:
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have trouble at work, both with developing relationships with peers and performance. This can affect your self-esteem and lead to problems in your personal relationships as well.
At Unity Behavioral Health, Lexie begins with a comprehensive assessment and cutting-edge computerized testing to diagnose ADHD.
If you or your child has ADHD, Lexie creates a treatment program combining medicine, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications to help control your symptoms and help you lead a healthy, active, and fulfilling life.
If any of these symptoms sound like you or your child, call Unity Behavioral Health or schedule your telemedicine visit online today.