Methods of ADHD Therapy

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD) characterizes someone whose energy levels and attention span are out of sync with his desired life. In addition to medication treatment, several methods of therapy can help ADHD symptoms. These methods include talking with family members, attending support groups, using behavioral intervention and brain wave studies.

ADHD

• ADHD is considered a neurological disorder. Symptoms include the inability to maintain attention span, little to no patience when waiting in line for a turn, or lack of focus to complete school work or tasks. Although ADHD is usually diagnosed in children, many adults are also diagnosed. Adult ADHD symptoms tend to include impulsive decision-making and an impact on relationships.

Family Therapy

• Family therapy encompasses not only treating the ADHD patient but his family as well. Particular care is given to the family structure and the roles that everyone must place in managing ADHD symptoms and behavior. Parents may undergo training in different techniques for giving instructions and ensuring they are followed. Siblings may give insight to triggers and responsive behaviors of ADHD patients.

Behavior Therapy

• Behavior therapy can be approached different ways depending on the age and maturity of the ADHD patient. For both children and adults, an element of behavior therapy involves analyzing the thought process behind exhibited symptoms, such as when an ADHD patient makes an impulsive decision with negative impact. A therapist might inquire about what the thoughts were before, during and after the decision; he may then offer alternative thinking for the patients to study and use. For children, behavior therapy includes intervention methods such as timeouts or response costs for negative behavior.

Support Groups

• Support groups can help parents of ADHD children become more educated in treatment options. No two ADHD patients are alike. Some children may not respond to traditional intervention methods or medications. Parents can also become stressed and feel isolated while dealing with their ADHD children. Support groups, especially those facilitated by mental health professionals, can provide them an outlet to discuss alternate interventions and stress-reduction techniques.

Brain Wave therapy

• Brain wave therapy involves hooking patients up to computerized programs that scan their brain waves live. Patients are instructed to express their thoughts and feelings. Therapists would examine the differences between the beta waves--those responsible for attentiveness--and the alpha waves, which are connected to relaxation. Other waves are also studied. For example, children who concentrate on working will show an increase in beta waves. But ADHD children tend to show an increase only in theta waves, which express daydreaming. Patients eventually are taught how to inhibit certain waves for particular situations, such as controlling daydreaming thoughts during work.