ADD/ADHD Counseling

Many people, especially young people, find themselves getting easily distracted, fidgeting with excess energy, or having difficulty remembering and organizing details. These behaviors and others are controlled by the parts of the brain that manage executive functions, which is why impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention are common in young people who are still developing their executive functions. However, for those with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), these skills may never develop or may be poorly developed. If you or your child are struggling with this condition, the slightly annoying inability to avoid distractions may turn into a number of bad habits that interrupt the ability of children to do well in school and can make it hard for adults to succeed in their careers. The good news is, you don’t have to struggle with these conditions alone. At Manatee Associates of Counseling & Assessment, we offer diagnostic evaluations and ADD/ADHD counseling in Palmetto, FL. Understanding how your brain works through diagnostic assessments and taking steps to make the most of your unique way of interacting with the world around you during therapy can dramatically improve daily experience.

Symptoms of ADD/ADHD

In most cases, ADD and ADHD are diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. As other kids start to exhibit more restraint and show signs of developing better organizational skills and longer attention spans, children with ADD/ADHD may continue to have trouble concentrating, sitting still, and managing higher level organization and comprehension. Without diagnosis and appropriate intervention in childhood, adults can continue to struggle with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Some of the most common signs of this condition include the following:

• Difficulty maintaining attention for a prolonged period, especially if the activity requires high level thinking and processing
• Easily distracted and have difficulty refocusing on the immediate task
• Fidgety or seeming to be in constant motion
• Talking excessively, struggling to listen to others, and difficulty not interrupting other people who are speaking
• Impulsive behaviors or behaviors that show a minimal amount of reflection on potential outcomes and consequences
• Struggle to remember details, organize information, or manage time

Benefits of ADD/ADHD Assessment

For some kids, ADD or ADHD improves dramatically as they grow up, but others can struggle throughout their lives without appropriate intervention and guidance. Assessments give individuals the necessary information to seek appropriate treatment, receive academic accommodations, and learn how to function at the best of their abilities.

Treatment Options & Outcomes for Individuals with ADD/ADHD

After receiving a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, you or your child may not know what to do next. At Manatee Associates of Counseling & Assessment, we will likely recommend therapy sessions as your next step. Children and adolescents with ADD/ADHD may find themselves feeling frustrated. What other people their age seem to do easily can be a real struggle for them, and always feeling like they’re a little behind or striving to catch up may leave kids with low self-esteem. As part of a family unit, people with ADD/ADHD may not always have the best follow through when it comes to fulfilling their role within the family (chores go undone, they forget to pick people up from activities, etc.). The same difficulties that impact people with ADD/ADHD in the classroom and at home will likely follow them into the office and their personal relationships. Therapy can help you manage the negative effects of ADD/ADHD while harnessing all that energy and enthusiasm to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Let’s Get Started!

We know it can be intimidating to take this next step to schedule an appointment with our team. You may have had negative experiences with therapy in the past, you may be worried about stigma surrounding counseling, or you may just be worried. We get it. The good news is we can help you put some of those worries aside and start feeling like yourself again. When you’re ready, the Manatee Associates of Counseling & Assessment team is here for you.