ADHD ADHD Addressing underdeveloped brain power to reach your potential The Basics of ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that negatively affects thinking, mood, and behavior. In young adults with ADHD, mental skills like working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control are often underdeveloped, causing frustration and making learning difficult. This delay can result in problems with time management, organization, emotional regulation, decision-making, and impulse control — problems that can make even simple decisions feel overwhelming. Undiagnosed ADHD can put young adults at a higher risk for anxiety and depression and makes them more likely to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. ADHD by the Numbers Many individuals are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but adult ADHD diagnosis is becoming more commonplace. Doctors often prescribe amphetamines like Adderall or Dexedrine for ADHD. These stimulants, which give those without ADHD a heightened level of activity and awareness, have a calming effect on those with ADHD, allowing them to focus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 3.3 million 12- to 17-year-olds in the US have been diagnosed with ADHD. In young children, ADHD is twice as likely to be diagnosed in boys than girls. 64% of children with ADHD have behavior or conduct problems. 33% of children with ADHD struggle with anxiety, 17% have depression, and 14% have autism. In young adults with ADHD, mental skills like working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control are often underdeveloped, causing frustration and making learning difficult. This delay can result in problems with time management, organization, emotional regulation, decision-making, and impulse control — problems that can make even simple decisions feel overwhelming. ADHD: The Struggle Is Real Can you imagine struggling to concentrate, to control your emotions, and always feeling on edge because those things seem completely impossible? This is how ADHD feels. Many people with ADHD don’t realize they have an actual medical condition. They don’t understand why so many things are frustrating or out of control, which often increases anxiety and depression. Sometimes people who are dealing with undiagnosed ADHD try to calm the resulting anxiety with drugs or alcohol. Of course, this doesn’t work. Instead, it puts them at even greater risk of developing a co-occurring addiction or other compulsive habits based on their condition. Being diagnosed with ADHD can actually be freeing to those who have spent years in the dark, unaware of their condition. Once there’s an accurate diagnosis, what follows is a treatment plan that can change everything, giving those with ADHD the chance to understand what is really happening and to regain balance in their lives. What Are the Symptoms of ADHD? ADHD shows up in your life as these symptoms, among others: Chronic boredom, lateness, and/or forgetfulness Difficulty concentrating when reading Low self-esteem Difficulty controlling anger or other emotions Mood swings Impulsiveness Poor organization skills Procrastination Academic problems Inability to tolerate frustration Relationship problems The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) also reports: ADHD is three times as likely to be diagnosed in adolescent boys (13%) than in girls (4.2%). Nearly half of all adolescent cases of ADHD showed severe impairment. 4.4% of adults between the ages of 18-44 have ADHD. How We Treat ADHD At The Meadows Adolescent Center, we screen and diagnose attention disorders by using a computerized attention test called TOVA (Test of Variables of Attention). Once we get the results, in addition to a comprehensive patient history, our compassionate clinicians create a multidisciplinary treatment plan tailored to each unique teen. Often, adolescents who exhibit signs of ADHD also have a history of substance use disorder, relational trauma, anxiety disorder, or mood disorder. But research has shown that treating addiction, ADHD, and other co-occurring mental health conditions in the same setting provides the best opportunity for long-term recovery. That’s why we treat the whole person, one step at a time, to help build a life of balance and confidence. Finding the Right Fit Need more information to determine if what we offer fits your needs? Our skilled admissions specialists can help. They will walk you through the process, answering any questions you have along the way. Admissions
