ADHD Therapy: Therapists and Counselors in West Springfield, MA
Do you often find yourself apologizing for actions that you don’t understand or remember? Does it seem like you’re always misunderstanding or frustrating others and can’t seem to conform to expectations, or even understand what they are? Maybe you are trying to help a well-intentioned child who is constantly misbehaving, and disruptive in spite of their own efforts. Like your loved one is bouncing off the walls and the idea of a focused conversation seems completely out of reach.
Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD are a difficulty maintaining focus and attention and are sometimes accompanied by excessive energy or restlessness. This can manifest in ways that impact relationships, social situations, school, career and mental health and wellness. It is not uncommon to blame the effect rather than the root cause which can lead to feelings of worthlessness, guilt and depression. But it doesn’t have to be this way. ADHD is treatable and with the help of a therapist or counselor it is possible to obtain the success you want. If you would like speak with a ADHD professional, our West Springfield counselors and therapists are available.
Have you wondered if these issues could be resolved with therapy for ADHD? Have you considered reaching out to a local mental health professional only to be sidetracked or second guess the effectiveness? Maybe you are nervous and not sure what to expect from ADHD counseling, skeptical of medication or fearful of stigmatization or discrimination.
Treatment and therapy for attention deficit and hyperactivity has the potential to help you or your loved ones overcome their setbacks. Therapy for ADHD can provide you with support and understanding, allowing you to realize potential, achieve success, and ultimately live a healthier and happier life!
Do I Have ADHD?
When assessing your signs and symptoms it is necessary to understand that they vary depending on an individual’s age, gender, circumstance, and other factors. They many even vary in the same individual over time. You may not experience all of the symptoms listed or you may experience some that are less common. It is important to always speak to a professional ADHD therapist or counselor before determining if you or a loved is suffering from this condition. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to stigmatization and could also risk other serious mental health concerns.
Often referred to as ADD or ADHA, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is comprised of three subtypes: inattentive (ADD), hyperactive-impulse (ADHD), and combined. Some common signs and symptoms associated with this disorder include the following:
- Aggression
- Boredom
- Difficulty Learning
- Easily Excitable
- Easily Irritable
- Forgetfulness
- Impulsiveness
- Mood swings
- Short attention span
Many of these symptoms are more common in children than adults. Therapists for ADHD and ADD will be interested in helping you understand whether you struggle more with inattentiveness, hyperactivity or both. ADHD therapy and treatment for ADHD will consider these distinctions and the way in which they uniquely affect you. To help you better understand if counseling for ADHD is the best next step for you, consider whether the symptoms below relate to your own experience.
Counseling and therapy for ADD and inattentiveness may address:
- Trouble Staying Focused: you often have trouble sustaining attention, prone to tangents
- Easily Distracted: you find yourself easily distracted by external stimuli or internal thoughts and emotions
- Trouble Listening: you or your loved one often appear not to be listening when in conversation, often misunderstand or misinterpret, jumps to conclusions,
- Forgetfulness: you often misplacing things, experience absent-mindedness, and are forgetful in daily activities
- Laziness: appearing to be unmotivated or uninterested
- Poor Follow Through: you frequently become bored and quickly loses interest, start many projects but rarely finish
- Poor Organization: you have trouble organizing thoughts and tasks, are often cluttered and overwhelmed
- Poor Attention to Detail: you experience difficulty following instructions, may seem messy or careless
Counseling and therapy for ADHD and hyperactivity may address:
- Fidgeting and Squirming: trouble sitting still, frequent tapping, poking or other types of movement when stillness is expected
- Excessive Energy: an abundance of physical energy, an inclination to run or climb at inappropriate times or in inappropriate places (in teens and adults this may appear as unreasonable restlessness or boredom after short time periods)
- Uncomfortable Relaxing: frequent inability to participate in quiet activities, talks or creates commotion at inappropriate times, has difficulty relaxing and calming down
- Excessive Talking: rambling, quickly shifting topics or ideas without pause, trouble knowing when to let others contribute to a conversation
- Impatient Listening: frequently interrupts others, answers or responds prematurely, frequently cuts others off or speaks over them
- Quick Temper: escalates to anger or aggression quickly or unexpectedly, rapid and frequent mood changes, unpredictable emotion
Everybody experiences these behaviors and struggles at some point but some people find them harder to manage than others. For some, it is nearly impossible to change unwanted behaviors on their own. An experienced ADHD therapist will be able to help you develop methods and techniques to achieve the goals you are working toward.
How Is ADHD Diagnosed and What Treatment Options Are Available through Therapy?
ADHD is a common disorder that affects millions of adults and children. Although therapists and mental health professionals understand a lot about it and offer many solutions for treatment, ADHD unfortunately often goes undiagnosed. Reasons for this can range from a fear of overmedication or of medicating at a young age. Sometimes parents fear that a diagnosis will hold their child back or label them in a way that would put them at a disadvantage. Oftentimes adults have spent years managing their own symptoms from avoidance, to self-medication through the use of drugs and alcohol.
It can sometimes be confusing to understand if you are dealing with ADHD or a number of other associated mental health concerns. By talking with your therapist or counselor, together you will be able to determine in further therapies could be beneficial. Some common disorders associated with ADHD include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- PTSD
- Learning Disabilities
A diagnosis for ADHD is only the first step in understanding you disorder and attaining counseling. Once an assessment is made, your counselor will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include the following forms of therapy.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Anger management
- Family therapy
- Applied behavior analysis
- Medications for ADHD
You don’t need to struggle with these issues on your own. Therapists and counselors in West Springfield are available to help you attain future success, develop healthy relationships, reduce stress, and live a life that you are proud of!
How Can I Contact a Therapist in West Springfield, MA?
Stepping out of a usual routine and acknowledging issues that are uncomfortable can induce fear and anxiety. The very symptoms that are caused by ADHD — difficulty following through and distractibility — can get in the way of attaining help, even when it is wanted.
Therapists and Thriveworks understand this. It’s our goal to make finding a therapist for ADHD a simple and easy process for you. We offer online sessions that you can access from the comfort and safety of your own home, as well as traditional, face-to-face counseling. Whatever your preference and need is, our counselors are available and want to help!
If you think ADHD therapy and treatment could benefit you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and schedule an assessment. You can easily book an appointment online anytime or call us directly to set up an appointment. We genuinely look forward to hearing from you!
