While often diagnosed in childhood, conditions like attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can persist into adulthood. The team at Spring Valley Internal Medicine in Washington, DC, and Bethesda, Maryland, diagnoses and treats ADD/ADHD with a combination of medication and counseling to help you regain your quality of life. Call the practice or make an appointment online today for customized care.
ADD and ADHD are similar brain disorders that interfere with your ability to concentrate, sit still, and pay attention. ADD/ADHD can interfere with your ability to succeed at work or school, harm your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues, and lower your self-confidence.
Doctors often diagnose ADD/ADHD in children, although the conditions can persist into adulthood. It’s also possible for you to have managed your symptoms while you were younger, but lose that ability as the responsibilities and demands of adulthood increase.
ADD and ADHD cause a variety of symptoms. If you have ADD, your symptoms are characterized by inattentive behavior, while ADHD symptoms include both inattentive and hyperactive behaviors.
Common signs of ADD/ADHD include:
When unmanaged, ADD/ADHD can get in the way of your potential. You might have problems making friends or other social connections and suffer from low self-esteem. Fortunately, ADD and ADHD are treatable.
Everyone is inattentive or distracted occasionally, so you might not realize you have a problem right away. However, if any of the above symptoms sound familiar or interfere with your life, make an appointment at Spring Valley Internal Medicine.
The team provides thorough evaluations to diagnose ADD/ADHD as well as other issues like anxiety or depression, which can cause similar symptoms.
In most cases, the team at Spring Valley Internal Medicine combines medication and counseling to treat ADD/ADHD. Medication can regulate your brain activity and alleviate some of your symptoms.
During therapy, you learn strategies to improve your concentration, organization, and other skills to help you cope with your condition. Your provider might also recommend lifestyle changes such as cutting out sugar or caffeine from your diet or adding physical activity to your daily routine.
If you’re concerned about ADD/ADHD, call Spring Valley Internal Medicine or make an appointment online today.