Counseling & ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder that usually affects children and adolescents. ADHD can continue into adulthood, sometimes undiagnosed. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), for an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, he must have had the symptoms of ADHD in childhood. Adults are usually diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD), which is another name for ADHD.

Symptoms of ADHD in Children

• A child with ADHD has a problem being attentive. He often does not appear to listen when someone speaks to him and has trouble following instructions. He is easily distracted, often makes careless mistakes, and dislikes or avoids tasks that require being still or a prolonged effort. He has trouble finishing, organizing, or remembering daily activities.

  A child with ADHD will have a problem with hyperactivity. She will talk excessively and have a problem with restlessness. She has a constant need to be in motion, for example, running or climbing on things.

  A child with ADHD has a problem with impulsiveness. She often has difficulty waiting her turn and will blurt out answers before hearing the complete question or interrupt another person who is speaking.

Behavioral Modification for Children

• Counseling for children with ADHD involves learning behavioral modification techniques, such as helping the child to learn to be less impulsive. A child's parent may need to go through training on child behavior management methods, including proper reinforcement for both negative and positive behavior. The child may be placed in a special education class with an instructor who is appropriately trained to deal with the child's ADHD.

  Adolescents need additional consideration in the form of adults modeling appropriate behavior and instant rewards for positive behavior. Allowing appropriate consequences for negative behavior is also a part of this therapy.

Symptoms of ADD (ADHD) in Adults

• Adult symptoms of ADHD can differ from the symptoms for children. Adult symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low frustration tolerance, difficulty controlling anger and chronic boredom. An adult with ADHD has difficulty staying employed because of problems with impulsiveness, chronic lateness, chronic forgetfulness, poor organization skills, problems maintaining relationships and procrastination. He has difficulty concentrating while reading. An adult may also have some type of substance abuse or addiction problem.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults with ADHD

• Cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD, which can be done in either a one-on-one or group setting, focuses on helping the patient develop specific skills to address specific needs to help him control his behavior. Some of the help provided addresses the need for time-management skills, methods to reduce impulsive behavior, developing better problem-solving skills, helping to improve self-esteem and developing better strategies for controlling temper. Other conditions that can arise because of ADHD, such as depression and substance abuse, are addressed as well.

Family Therapy for Adults with ADHD

• Therapy for family members, including spouses of individuals with ADHD, focuses on helping them to understand what the family member with ADHD is going through and how they can be of assistance to the family member with ADHD. There is a great deal of misunderstanding about ADHD and including family in the therapy, can help them to be less frustrated about their loved one's condition.