ADHD Counseling in Stoughton, MA—Counselors and Therapists at Thriveworks
Take a look at almost any action movie or Young Adult fiction book, and you’ll probably find a similar type of hero. One that’s constantly moving to the next adventure. They’re the leader and the social deviant. They’re often outspoken and choose action over passivity. Take a look in any school system or work environment and you’ll find the same traits frowned upon, maybe even being punished. The same social and cognitive wiring that makes great fictional heroes can cause impairment in work and school (if societies standards are being enforced). The truth is, while ADHD has its unique perks, it doesn’t fit well into the mold of 7 to 8 hours behind a desk.
The ADHD counselors at Thriveworks Stoughton understand the struggles of growing up and living with ADHD. ADHD has its strengths just as it has its weaknesses. However, in today’s work and school structure, it tends to impair more than enhance. That’s why it’s important to acknowledge those things that make you different and learn coping strategies for when it rubs against social norms. Thriveworks Stoughton counselors are trained to guide kids, adolescents, and adults who have ADHD to lead happier, more productive lives.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorder. It can happen in both boys and girls and is usually very consistent throughout life. However, many people may develop strong enough coping mechanisms that it doesn’t impair them as much when they grow older.
Symptoms of ADHD vary with age and type. Traditionally, there are three “types” of ADHD: Inattentive, Hyperactive, and Combined.
- A boy with hyperactive ADHD is the one who doesn’t sit still, often interrupts, and gets into trouble at school.
- Day dreamers are more likely to have the inattentive type. These are the people who zone out in the middle of a conversation or sit down to do work just to look up a few hours later on YouTube.
- Combined is, as the name implies, both types in one diagnosis.
As mentioned previously, symptoms also vary with age. Some adults may have never been diagnosed and have been unaware of their symptoms. These adults are more likely to be chronically late to work, “spacey,” lose their keys and wallets, and can never seem to get to bed on time. Mornings for you are probably hectic and never go as you plan them to. If you think you have undiagnosed ADHD as an adult, it never hurts to see a professional. You deserve to understand your behavior and ways to improve the quality of your life.
For kids, ADHD is easier to recognize. Symptoms include:
- Interrupting others
- Frequently “zoning out”, or getting lost in your own thoughts and daydreams
- Easily distracted
- Hesitancy to engage in long projects that require a lot of mental effort
- Forgetting homework or chores
- An unorganized room and backpack.
- Doesn’t seem to pay attention in a conversation
- Has difficulty remaining quiet in a leisure activity (like reading or watching tv)
Creativity, resilience and passion are some traits commonly seen enhanced by ADHD. The key is to learn when it is interfering with your life, and how to manage those symptoms. That is what Thriveworks Stoughton is here for.
How Can Counseling Help ADHD?
Counselors at Thriveworks Stoughton will work with you on an individual level to meet your goals. There are many natural remedies that are popular in the ADHD community, and they can be a great help. But it is more of a hit-or-miss. Things like limiting screen time or sugar and increasing time outside and exercise may be just what you need to manage your symptoms. For others, this approach is less effective.
It can be a frustrating process. That’s why Thriveworks Stoughton is here to help guide you through the process of finding and honing your own coping strategies. From a behavioral perspective, we can help you “retrain” your body and mind. This works well on school children who show more of the restless, impulsive symptoms and are disrupting the classroom. For these children, positive feedback is crucial in their future success. Too many times they are punished for something they don’t have the tools to control. Our counselors are here to support them with positivity and a guiding hand.
Good parenting is also crucial for kids with ADHD. We know it can be exhausting to parent a child with ADHD, and we want to support you too! We can teach you the best parenting strategies and help you implement them in a way that suits your home. Self-care is also important, and we can explore ways in which you can recharge from a hectic day.
ADHD doesn’t have to control your life. With the proper tools, you can have a say in what you do and when you do it. The counselors at Thriveworks Stoughton are here to help you manage your symptoms and live a happier, healthier life. To get started, give us a call at (781) 318-8080.
