Friendly and effective treatment options for people with ADD/ADHD are soon to be offered at Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center
At the Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center, we strengthen relationships by providing quality, customizable, and accessible services by trained professionals. Seriously, that’s the headline on our website; we are serious!
That’s why, when the opportunity arose to offer ADD and ADHD testing for children and adults in the Arkansas area through our counseling services, we jumped on that opportunity. To get the word out about our incoming services, we thought we would look at the lay of the land regarding psychological and neuropsychological testing for ADD/ADHD as it stands now, and how ADD and ADHD can be managed in a friendly and effective manner.
Why Choose Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center for ADD/ADHD treatment?
Most places that offer ADD/ADHD testing have a waiting period of up to 6 months. At Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center, we have a team of specialists determined to get you the answers you seek in a timely manner.
You are not alone. Many adults and children are struggling with ADD/ADHD and don’t have proper care near them. Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center will walk the journey with you and provide you with an accurate report. The ADD/ADHD reports received can provide info for medications, school referrals, or accurate individual/family therapy services.
We only hire the best! Our clinician is certified in providing ADD/ADHD testing. So you can rest easy knowing that you or your child is in the very best of hands!
Request Your Free Consultation
Fill out the form below to get started with your free consultation.
What are your alternatives for ADD/ADHD treatment?
It’s not simply about taking medicine to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). There are a variety of other helpful treatments for people with ADD/ADHD that can help them improve their ability to pay attention, manage impulsive behavior, and reduce hyperactivity.
A balanced treatment plan that includes nutritious meals, exercise, learning new coping strategies, and developing social skills can enhance academic performance, strengthen social connections with others, and reduce stress and frustration for them and their entire family.
Medication for ADD/ADHD
Stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall are commonly recommended for ADD/ADHD, but they may not be the best treatment option—and they certainly aren’t the only ones.
At least in the short term, ADD/ADHD medications may help with concentration. However, there is little proof that they help long-term academic attainment, relationships, or behavioral disorders. Medication will not fix all issues or eradicate the symptoms of ADD/ADHD; it merely makes the symptoms more manageable.
Furthermore, there are worries regarding the long-term consequences of these potent medications on a developing brain. Irritability, lack of appetite, and sleeplessness are just a few of the negative side effects.
The ultimate line is that medicine is a tool, not a cure.
ADD/ADHD medicine affects people in different ways. Some people see a significant improvement, while others see little to no change. The adverse effects vary from person to person, and for some, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Finding the right drug and dose takes time since everyone reacts differently.
When ADD/ADHD medication is used in conjunction with other treatments, it is more successful. This should come as no surprise. If your or your child receives other treatments that teach new coping skills, they will get a lot more out of proper medication.
Treatment for ADD/ADHD begins at home
Evidence suggests that eating a good diet, exercising regularly, and making positive everyday decisions might help you or your child manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.
Exercise’s effectiveness in the treatment of ADD/ADHD
Exercising is one of the most simple and effective strategies to alleviate ADD/ADHD symptoms. Physical activity raises dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels in the brain, all of which affect focus and attention. In this approach, exercise and ADD/ADHD drugs like Ritalin and Adderall function similarly. Exercise, unlike ADD/ADHD medicine, does not require a prescription and has no negative side effects.
Dance, gymnastics, martial arts, and skating are all helpful for kids and adults with ADD/ADHD because they involve strict attention to body movements. Team sports are also an excellent option. They’re interesting to apply because of the aspect that goes along with social interaction.
The importance of sleep in ADD/ADHD treatment
The symptoms of ADD/ADHD can be greatly improved by getting enough sleep regularly. Many people with ADD/ADHD have trouble sleeping at night. Sometimes, sleep problems are caused by stimulant drugs, which can promptly be resolved by lowering the dose or quitting the prescription entirely.
ADD/ADHD symptoms can be alleviated with proper eating
When it comes to managing ADD/ADHD, studies show that what you eat and when you eat make a difference.
Regular meals or snacks should be spaced no more than three hours apart. This will help maintain a consistent blood sugar level in you or your child, reducing irritation and promoting concentration and focus.
At each meal or snack, try to include some protein and complex carbohydrates. These foods will improve a person’s alertness while reducing hyperactivity.
Check your or your child’s levels of zinc, iron, and magnesium. Many ADD/ADHD people are deficient in these vital nutrients. Increasing their levels may aid in the management of ADD/ADHD symptoms. Iron supplementation may be very beneficial. An iron supplement relieved symptoms almost as much as using stimulant medicine, according to one study.
Increase your or your child’s intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in studies to reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and improve concentration in children and adults with ADD/ADHD. Salmon, tuna, sardines, and some fortified eggs and milk products all contain omega-3s. On the other hand, fish oil pills are the simplest approach to increase your or your child’s intake.
ADD/ADHD treatment by a professional
Although there are many things you can do at home to aid with ADD/ADHD, you might want to seek professional help at some point. Experts in ADD/ADHD can assist you in developing an effective treatment plan for you or your child.
You could contact your primary care physician, your child’s pediatrician, area hospitals, or clinics to identify ADD/ADHD treatment providers. Your insurance company, administrators at your child’s school, or a local parent support group are all good places to look for provider references.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists:
- Diagnose ADD/ADHD and prescribe medications
Psychologists:
- Diagnose ADD/ADHD and provide verbal therapy
- Help people with ADD/ADHD manage emotions
Cognitive-behavioral therapists:
- Set up behavioral modification programs at school, work, and home
- Establish goals for behavior and achievement
- Help families and teachers maintain reward structures
Educational specialists:
- Teach techniques for succeeding in school
- Help people obtain accommodations from the school to help with their learning
- Advise families about assistive technology for people with ADD/ADHD
ADD/ADHD behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy, also known as behavior modification, has been a highly effective treatment for ADD/ADHD affected people. It’s especially helpful as a co-treatment for people on stimulant drugs, and it may even allow you to reduce the medication’s dosage.
Behavior therapy reinforces desired behaviors with rewards and praise while reducing troublesome behaviors with limitations and penalties. For example, a teacher can credit a child with ADD/ADHD for taking little steps towards raising their hand before speaking in class, even if the child still says something inaccurate. They are rewarding the fact that the battle to change increases the likelihood of full adoption of the new behavior given enough time.
With the guidance of a behavioral specialist such as a cognitive-behavioral therapist, you can create a customized behavioral modification program for you or your child with ADD/ADHD. A cognitive-behavioral therapist focuses on finding practical answers to problems that people face daily. This type of therapy can help people develop a behavioral modification program with rewards and consequences at home and school and support you in altering your or your child’s conduct.
Because people with ADD/ADHD have frequently fluctuating symptoms, patience is essential when it comes to behavioral therapy. It’s common that people with ADHD may act admirably one day and then revert to old habits the next. It may appear like the training is ineffective at times. Behavioral treatment works slowly, but it does improve the symptoms of ADD/ADHD with time.
The Arkansas Relationship Center is excited to offer behavioral treatment options for people living with ADD/ADHD.
We are ready to grow into this capacity as a service provider and look forward to working with you and your child.
Request Your Free Consultation
Fill out the form below to get started with your free consultation.