ADD/ADHD

ADD/ADHD Specialist

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which used to be known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD), is a common childhood mental health disorder. While ADHD is more common in children, adults can also have the condition. At Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services in Orlando, Florida, Fredesvinda Jacobs-Alvarez, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist, diagnoses and treats ADD/ADHD. Call Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services, or schedule a consultation online today.

ADD/ADHD Q & A

What is ADD/ADHD?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a mental health disorder that causes inattention and hyperactive or impulsive behavior. There are three types of ADHD, inattentive, hyperactive, and combination. ADD is an outdated term for the inattentive-only type of ADHD.

Psychiatrists usually diagnose ADHD in children, although adults can also have the condition. Typically, adults have had the condition since childhood, but they developed coping strategies that allowed them to get by without a diagnosis.

What are the signs of ADHD?

Adults and children present ADHD symptoms slightly differently. Some of the common signs of ADHD in children include:

Running or playing at inappropriate times
Fidgeting
Trouble staying seated at school
Talking too much or interrupting
Trouble waiting for turns
Making careless mistakes on schoolwork
Struggling to focus on tasks or play
Doesn’t seem to listen
Avoiding tasks that require mental focus
Frequently loses homework
Easily distracted

Adults present slightly different ADHD symptoms. For example, as an adult, you might have poor time management skills or struggle to meet deadlines because of an inability to prioritize tasks, disorganization, or reduced focus. Other signs of ADHD in adults include:

Impulsive behavior
Inability to multitask
Restlessness
Mood swings
Low frustration tolerance
Problems completing tasks
Failure to follow through with plans
Poor stress management

These symptoms can interfere with your ability to succeed at school, work, or socially. ADHD often leads to low self-esteem and a failure to achieve your full potential.

When should I talk to a psychiatrist about ADD/ADHD?

Everyone experiences ADD/ADHD-like symptoms at some point. After all, where do you draw the line between normal childhood behavior and ADHD? One of the critical things to consider, whether you’re concerned about your child or yourself, is how the behaviors are disrupting life at school, work, or home.

For example, if your child’s behavior is causing a decline in their performance at school or if they’re behavior is affecting life at home for the rest of the family, make an appointment at Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services.

Similarly, if your impulsiveness or lack of attention is interfering with your performance at work or your relationships with others, it’s time to ask for help.

How is ADHD managed?

Following a psychiatric assessment, your provider creates a customized treatment plan. Many patients benefit from a combination of medication and therapy. Medication can reduce your symptoms, and during therapy, you can learn and practice strategies to adjust your behavior.

Call Esperanza Behavioral Health and Services, or make an appointment online today, for expert diagnosis and treatment for adult or pediatric ADD/ADHD.