What is Therapy?
What is the purpose of going to therapy?
Learn to identify and express feelings
Set goals and work to achieve them
Learn new coping skills
Learn new ways to communicate with people
Can help manage feelings like stress, anxiety, sadness, and more!
What does ADHD stand for?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
How can therapy help with ADHD?
Recognize how their own thoughts affect their behaviors.
Helps people reframe their thoughts so they have more positive behaviors and more control over their ADHD symptoms.
Help kids learn new skills to complete tasks and stay focused
Help families better support people with ADHD!
True or False: People with ADHD usually possess above average intelligence.
True!
What is a diagnosis?
This is when a mental health professional talks to you about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to help answer these questions.
This helps the person better understand your category of symptoms so they know how to best help you. This also helps another professional you might work with learn about your past.
A diagnosis can change over time.
What are common symptoms of ADHD?
Inattention & hyperactivity/impulsivity
How can therapy help with the things I am having a hard time with?
One of the main reasons we act is to achieve something! Sometimes we do certain things and we may not even be aware of what we are trying to achieve.
Counselors have tools that help us understand why we are doing something, what we want to achieve, and what else we can try!
What does it mean to "hyperfocus?"
Hyperfocus- a phenomenon that reflects one's complete absorption in a task, to a point where a person appears to completely ignore or 'tune out' everything else. It is generally reported to occur when a person is engaged in an activity that is particularly fun or interesting.
What is a treatment plan?
A treatment plan outlines what has been happening that lead someone to seek services, what they are experiencing now, the diagnosis, and goals they want to work on.
The counselor writes goals and objectives of how they plan to help the person reach their goals.
What are examples of inattention?
- has a hard time focusing on details
- has a hard time giving attention to something for a long time
- may not seem like the person is listening
- may have a hard time following directions
- do not like to engage in activities that take a lot of focus
- may lose things
- can get distracted more easily
- may forget daily activities
Is therapy the only thing that can help?
No! There are a lot of steps people can take to help with their ADHD.
Therapy, medication, exercise, meditation, parent support.
Can people with ADHD hyperfocus?
Yes!
ADHD is not necessarily a deficit of attention, but rather a problem with regulating one’s attention span to desired tasks. So, while mundane tasks may be difficult to focus on, others may be completely absorbing. An individual with ADHD who may not be able to complete homework assignments or work projects may instead be able to focus for hours on video games, sports, or reading.
What are symptoms?
A symptom is a sign of something that is happening; it can be physical or mental.
Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Different diagnoses have different symptoms. Knowing the symptoms help the counselor pick the right diagnosis.
What are examples of hyperactivity/impulsivity?
- fidgeting, tapping, moving in seat
- leaving your seat in a situation when you are expected to stay sitting
- running or climbing when it is not appropriate
- hard to play quietly
- feeling like you are "on the go"
- talk more than others
- answers questions before they are finished/interrupting
- harder to wait your turn
Is therapy just for me?
Therapy for someone with ADHD can involve many different people.
Parents can work with a therapist to learn skills and tools that can be used at home.
Some therapists work with someone's doctor or teacher, too!
True or false: People with ADHD may feel emotions more deeply than other people.
People who have ADHD frequently experience emotions so deeply that they become overwhelmed or “flooded.” They may feel joy, anger, pain, or confusion in a given situation—and the intensity may precede impulsive behaviors they wish they could change.
Does therapy last forever?
It is different for everyone!
Some people are in therapy for most of their lives, some people go in and out of therapy and work with different therapists, some people are in therapy for a little while. Some people go to therapy alone, with their parents, with their family, or with someone they love!
There is no right or wrong way to do therapy!
Is ADHD a biological diagnosis?
Yes! Our environment may impact ADHD, but is largely a biological diagnosis.
Fun fact: ADHD is just as genetic as height!
How does a therapist know I have ADHD?
Therapists use different tools to determine if someone has ADHD.
They ask questions about your symptoms.
They may talk to your parent, teacher, or doctor.
They may give you/your parent a form with questions.
They may have you meet with someone for an evaluation.
True or false: People with ADHD may have a harder time when they feel rejected or not welcomed by people.
True!
This is called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. This can make people sensitive to criticism, and may lead to people holding on to negative words or actions made towards them for a long time.
A person may sometimes internalize this overwhelming emotional sensation, causing a low mood and withdrawal from the situation. Alternatively, they may externalize their feelings, which could take the form of sudden anger or rage.