ADHD

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral health disorder affecting your ability to focus and sit still. Of course, symptoms are more complicated than that and vary widely from person to person. If you have ADHD, a professional assessment of your thought processes and behaviors can lead to an accurate diagnosis. 

At DMV Psychiatric Wellness, Mr. Oko Akrong offers telehealth appointments and appointments in-person to evaluate your mental wellness and start building an individualized, client-centered care plan. It’s up to you to decide which appointment format works best with your lifestyle.

What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD?

ADHD signs and symptoms can be primarily hyperactive, primarily inattentive, or a pretty even combination of both types. Mr. Oko Akrong classifies your ADHD after detailed assessments at DMV Psychiatric Wellness. 

While symptoms vary from person to person, and can even change over time as you grow older, typical signs and symptoms of ADHD are:

• Trouble concentrating on tasks
• Being easily distracted
• Frequently interrupting others
• Excessive talking
• Trouble sitting still
• Trouble waiting your turn
• Losing items frequently
• Being disorganized

While experts still aren’t sure what causes ADHD, they’ve found that individuals with ADHD have less gray matter in their brain scans. Gray matter is the part of the brain responsible for self-control, speech, and decision-making, among other roles. 

What’s the best way to manage ADHD?

Successful management of ADHD requires a client-centered approach that acknowledges your personal needs and preferences. At DMV Psychiatric Wellness, Mr. Oko Akrong collaborates with you as you navigate your treatment. It might involve:

Medication management

There are a few medications that help with ADHD, including stimulants and nonstimulants. They help you focus on tasks by altering your brain chemistry. Medication management involves prescribing you medication, monitoring you as you take it, and adjusting the medication if necessary. 

Lifestyle medicine

Lifestyle medicine refers to recommended lifestyle changes Mr. Oko Akrong encourages you to make. This might include accessing assistive educational resources, getting more sleep, improving your diet, or adding exercise to your routine. 

Counseling or therapy

Counseling or therapy can help with any mental health condition and increase medication effectiveness. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, teaches you to recognize and change certain behaviors. 

To learn more about ADHD diagnosis and treatment, contact DMV Psychiatric Wellness over the phone or online for an appointment today.