ADHD counseling

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 times 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 counselors at Stoughton Counseling understands the struggles of growing up and living with ADHD. The currently school and work environment are not built to accommodate for many of the symptoms of ADHD. It can be a demoralizing experience. Am I really just dumb? A bad person? Annoying?

No! 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 help guide kids, adolescents and adults who have ADHD to lead more productive, happy 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. (Although many people may develop strong enough coping mechanisms that it doesn’t impair them as much when they grow older)

It is a diagnosis that is wrought in stereotypes. One of the first key things a Stoughton counselor will do is help negate those harmful stereotypes. People with ADHD are just as intelligent, hard working and empathetic as people without. Those traits just have to jump a few hoops and run some laps before making their way to the surface.

Why? Because ADHD is largely an impairment of the frontal lobe and the executive functions that come with it. Executive functions are the thinking processes that go into things like goal planning, motivation and plan execution. So, when someone may see a goal, with points a, b and c to get there, someone with ADHD sees a million possibilities, with many side tours along the way.

Symptoms of ADHD vary among age and type. Traditionally, there are three “types” of ADHD: Inattentive, Hyperactive, and Combined.

Hyperactive is the typical little ADHD boy- the one who doesn’t sit still, interrupts everyone and generally wreaks havoc on the classroom. This image is largely stereotypical, but many of the symptoms do exist.

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.

Symptoms also vary among age. While it is a children’s disorder, some adults may have never been diagnosed and have been living with the symptoms unaware. These adults are more likely to be chronically late to work, “spacey”, loose 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)

There are many positives with that unique perspective of the world. 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 Stoughton Counseling is here for.

How can counseling help ADHD?

Counselors at Stoughton Counseling 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, it is less effective.

This can be a frustrating process. That’s why we are here to help guide you through the process of finding and honing your own coping strategies.

We have some of our own that work as well. From a behavioral perspective, we can help you “retrain” you body and mind to not display some of the more socially frowned upon behaviors. 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 suites your home. Self-care is also important, and we can explore ways in which you can re-charge from a hectic day living at an ADHD level.

ADHD can be isolating and frustrating. But it 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 navigate the crazy and wonderful world of ADHD.