Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) cause problems in school, at work and in relationships. But you can learn to control the symptoms through a combination of medication, natural remedies and psychotherapy. Turn to Online Psychiatrists for the best psychiatric care in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Get the care you need so you can live a full, healthy life. Call today for a consultation.
★★★★★Very caring and direct provider who also has up-to-date knowledge on psychiatry and other medical fields. Going to him has been a pleasure and I've already recommended him to my co-worker. Dr. Ivanov is very approachable and I love that about him.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are terms that people use interchangeably, but they don’t describe the same condition. While both conditions encompass problems with attention, impulsivity and fidgeting, only ADHD inflicts the constant movement most often associated with these impulse disorders.
First diagnosed in childhood, ADD can continue into adulthood. Those afflicted face an even more complicated life trying to study, build a career and make lasting friendships. Even though it’s normal for kids to have some trouble focusing on a task and channeling their extra energy, those with ADHD don’t grow out of it.
Poor work performance, college studies and unstable relationships may result from ADHD issues. Common signs of ADD or ADHD include:
It’s not unusual for you as an adult to recognize fighting these symptoms most of your life. But until you’re diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, you may be able to not recognize your illness or put the symptoms into context. If you’re in NJ, FL or NY, trust the experienced psychiatrists at Online Psychiatrists to get to the correct diagnosis.
The symptoms you exhibit during your consultation point your psychiatrist toward the type of ADHD you have. Then you both select the most appropriate treatment option. Your symptoms indicate one of the three types of ADHD:
As an adult, your symptoms may change over time. You may become more inattentive if you had more hyperactive symptoms as a child. Informing your doctor of these changes allows your treatment to be tailored effectively. ADHD and ADD are usually lifelong conditions you have to manage. Changes to treatment must correspond to changes in your lifestyle.
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Book AppointmentAlthough the exact causes of these disorders aren’t known, there seem to be some risk factors that may contribute to possible ADHD diagnoses. These risk factors include:
You’ll notice that most of these risk factors are things that are out of your control. So remember it’s not your fault. Follow the guidance of your Online Psychiatrists psychiatrist, and you can learn to manage your symptoms and cope with your condition.
To reach a diagnosis of ADHD and rule out other possible causes, your New York psychiatrist may require a battery of tests, including hearing and vision, medical exams, your medical and school history and a rating system for symptoms. Other concerns mimic ADHD, which is why you need a clear diagnosis. You may have a different condition, such as:
Effective ADHD treatment usually involves a combination of medication and behavior management. Natural ADHD treatments are easier on your body than medication. Of course, the treatment for ADHD in children and toddlers requires behavior management as the first option.
Each individual requires close monitoring to tailor effective treatment. Adult ADHD treatment may also include:
Some natural options for managing ADHD symptoms include:
As your ADHD doctor at Online Psychiatrists, Dr. Zlatin Ivanov helps you find the correct combination of ADHD treatment options for your stage of life or family dynamics. Helping you increase your focus helps you better navigate your daily life. Contact the practice today for a consultation.
You are fortunate to have good management skills that help you with your child’s behavior. Parents often get confusing reports about their children, and there are many factors that need to be considered. A good starting point is a meeting with your child’s teacher and school guidance counselor. Ask for another observation of your child in the classroom. If the problems continue, there are behavior rating scales that help to clarify the problem behaviors. The Vanderbilt Assessment Scales used for diagnosing ADHD are readily available and the standard in many communities. Your child’s doctor may be comfortable with the next steps in the evaluation or you might look for a mental health professional, such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, to continue the evaluation process.
Like all medications there are important side effects that should be considered if a decision is made to try medications for treatment of ADHD. The most serious side effects involve the heart, primarily in children who have known heart problems. More common side effects are lack of appetite, sleep problems and moodiness. Usually these side effects can be managed with adjustments in the dosage, timing of dose or changing to another medication. Your child’s treatment will involve regular follow-up visits to monitor for any of these problems.
Most children with ADHD will continue having problems with concentration and focus during adolescence and adulthood. Research has confirmed that medications continue to be effective into adulthood. While there are few studies looking at very long-term effects it appears that the long- term benefit outweighs the risks.
Adolescents with almost any medical condition will insist that they can manage their treatment. “I would rather do it myself.” Fortunately, in most cases the physician has anticipated this and steps have been taken early to help your child learn about his condition, identify target symptoms that improve with treatment and encourage open discussion about side effects. Trials off medication are welcomed. Explore your son’s reasons for wanting to be off medication. It may be a side effect that he has not discussed with his doctor. Identify the likely changes that are expected during a trial off medication. Your son might be willing to identify a neutral observer (a favorite teacher, a coach) who can help monitor for problem issues. Their observations may feel less “parental.”
There are many steps that a family can take short of medication. Usually these involve close attention to a problem behavior and developing a strategy (not punishment) that might change the behavior. Some are straight forward – tighter routines in the morning while getting ready for school, close monitoring of homework assignments and school projects that require planning, or accommodations at school for tests. Some families benefit from counseling to examine conflicts at home.
There are many other “treatments” on the market that promise to be the answer for your child. Most of their claims have not been adequately tested for safety or long-term benefit. In this area parents have to be very informed consumers. A conversation with your child’s pediatrician is a good place to start.
This almost feels like a trick question because it sounds like someone has already put a label on her problem behaviors or school issues. Don’t jump so fast to a diagnosis, and don’t let the person helping with the evaluation jump to a quick conclusion either. The evaluation of learning and behavior problems is fairly straightforward. It requires a professional, usually a pediatrician or mental health professional like a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Most families start at the school with their child’s teacher, guidance counselor or other education specialist. They can help with screening tests for learning problems, observe your child in the classroom or help with behavior rating scales. This package of information is shared with you and your child’s pediatrician. The doctor may be comfortable continuing the evaluation or your family might be referred to a mental health specialist to complete the evaluation and work with you and your child on a treatment plan.
The ADA does not define medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA has a general definition of disability that each person must meet so some people with ADHD will have a disability under the ADA and some will not.
Parents of children who are struggling in school should discuss the problems with their child’s doctor and school professionals. Most children with ADHD do not require additional school interventions. Some will need a space with few distractions to complete work, or more time on tests. These “accommodations” can be specified in a “504 Plan.” Some children with more extreme learning problems may have a more extensive evaluation to determine if they are ESE (Exceptional Student Education) and require an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). You will find more information about these school based programs on the website for your state department of education.
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