ADHD
ADHD testing
ADHD TESTING – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which is an officially recognized (neurobiological) brain disorder.
Growing up with ADHD traits can mean that things develop differently, or your life has taken different turns then your peers. You may have had difficulty paying attention at school as a child or took longer finishing your assignments then others.
Being forgetful may have gotten you in trouble for not doing what you were asked to do. Because ADHD is often not recognized as the cause for these things, people are often misjudged or misunderstood. ADHD testing . .
The impact of ADHD in one’s life can be huge. Are there symptoms you recognize or are applicable for for you? we can have diagnostic and help you with it – ADHD testing.
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit
- Easily distracted
- Concentration problems
- Difficulty with planning and organizational skills
- Difficulty switching between different tasks and back
- Procrastination
- Forgetful
- Chaotic, misplace or lose items
- Only able to really focus on things you find interesting
- Difficulty making decisions
Hyperactivity
- Difficulty sitting still
- Always busy doing something
- Feeling the need to walk around
- A sense of internal unrest, restlessness
- Feeling agitated
- Fidgeting or needing to occupy your hands with something Difficulty relaxing
- Loud or intense speech
- Intensive exercising, doing sports with extreme frequency
Impulsivity
- Interrupting or giving an answer before the question is fully asked
- Temper tantrums
- Impulse buys
- Blurting things out, wearing your heart on your sleeve
- Being argumentative
- Impatient
- Gambling, risk taking
- Act before thinking it through
- Doing things you later regret
- Difficulty waiting your turn
Treatment through pharmaceutical therapy
Medication is the first choice of therapy for adults with ADHD. This has been extensively researched for validity as a form of treatment for ADHD. It has a positive effect on ADHD symptoms for many people. It can lessen feelings of restlessness and improve attention and concentration. If you have questions about medication, you can discuss them with your nurse practitioner, G.P. or psychiatrist.
Treatment through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Although medication can help with focus and a sense of calm, you can still experience difficulties with ADHD. You can have problems with organizational skills, procrastination or a negative self-image. Generally, these have more to do with thought or behavior patterns developed over the years. These are themes that can be worked on during cognitive behavioral therapy.
Behavioral therapy
The therapy program is geared to changing behavior patterns. Certain behaviors can strengthen, maintain or worsen ADHD symptoms. During the therapy program you work together with the psychologist to analyze which behaviors are detrimental to your overall functioning. Behaviors such as avoidance or procrastinating on tasks that need to be done or the lack of a system to organize and do them. Then, together you find alternative ways to approach things.
Cognitive therapy
Aside from changing behavior patterns, attention is given to (negative) thought patterns and how to change them. Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that thoughts influence how you react and the emotions that are experienced in the moment. Together with the psychologist, you will explore (negative) thought patterns and how they drive your actions, consciously or subconsciously. Then you can judge if these thoughts and feelings are realistic or that it might be able to approach situations in a different manner.