ADHD Treatment

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is usually diagnosed by 7 years, but one-third of children struggle with the condition throughout adulthood. Eliza Brink, DNP, PMHNP-BC, and her compassionate team at Spruce Psychiatric Associates in Seattle, Washington, specialize in diagnosing and treating ADHD. If you believe you or your child are struggling with ADHD symptoms and want to schedule an assessment, or you need ongoing medication management, don’t wait to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment. Call Spruce Psychiatric Associates or book online today.

Why do people need ADHD treatment?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition caused by differences in brain growth. These changes affect the brain areas responsible for planning and organization, regulating emotions, and focusing on tasks. As a result, children develop the core symptoms of ADHD: problems with inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Though all children are occasionally hyperactive and sometimes struggle to pay attention, ADHD causes challenges severe enough to disrupt daily life and affect the ability to succeed at school, on the job, and in life.

What symptoms indicate the need for ADHD treatment?

The symptoms depend on whether you or your child have inattentive ADHD, hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, or both:

Inattentive ADHD

People diagnosed with inattentive ADHD may:

• Overlook details
• Make reckless mistakes
• Get easily distracted
• Forget to start or finish tasks
• Struggle to get (or stay) organized
• Daydream instead of paying attention
• Have a hard time following directions

Losing important items like keys and homework is another common symptom of inattentive ADHD.

Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD

People with this type of ADHD may:

• Struggle to control impulses
• Fidget in situations where they should sit still
• Stay constantly active
• Talk frequently and blurt out answers
• Feel restless or impatient
• Find it hard to wait their turn

Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD often compels children to interrupt conversations and jump in the middle of a game already in progress. 

Combined ADHD

If you or your child have combined ADHD, you have symptoms from both types.

How is ADHD diagnosed and treated?

Many of the providers at Spruce Psychiatric Associated specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Since ADHD symptoms may arise from other mental health disorders, they take a conservative approach, typically requiring 2-3 appointments to be sure they collect all the information needed for an accurate diagnosis.

During an ADHD evaluation, they talk with the patient and often obtain collateral information from family members and teachers. 

After diagnosing ADHD, your provider works collaboratively with you to create treatment goals. Though they personalize your care plan, ADHD treatment usually includes medication, therapy, or both.

Stimulant medication, the gold standard for treating ADHD, balances brain chemicals, improves attention, and reduces hyperactivity. If you prefer to avoid stimulants, your provider can recommend other medications that also help ADHD symptoms. 

Don’t let ADHD limit you or your child. Call Spruce Psychiatric Associates or book an appointment online today.