ADHD

A Christian Counseling Success Story

Part 1: Meet Sam

Eight-year-old Sam is described by most as being very energetic, creative, and enthusiastic. He loves to play, dream up stories, and has a knack for making people laugh. A generally well-behaved boy, Sam has difficulty in many situations. He is performing poorly academically, frequently getting into trouble for talking excessively or turning in sloppy work (if he turned it in at all). In Church his parents often scold him for fidgeting or talking during prayer. Sam’s parents are very loving but have trouble finding the best way to discipline Sam. They never seem to get through to him; he is nearing the end of the school year and facing summer school for the second year in a row. Sam needs help – and his parents do, too.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition characterized by symptoms of inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Symptoms differ from person to person and vary in intensity. As a Christian, that might mean that you don’t fit the typical image of a well-disciplined child of God. Things like routine prayer and Bible study might be more difficult for you than other people. Know that you are created for a purpose, and your afflictions might be part of God’s plan for your life. Christian ADHD counseling can help people of all ages better control their symptoms, but most importantly it helps you find support through Christ as you walk on your journey with God.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is for the most part an outdated term. In May 2013, The American Psychiatric Association released the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, which changed the diagnostic criteria. As a result, the disorder is more commonly known as ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There are approximately 6.4 million children diagnosed with ADHD in the United States. Many children with ADHD outgrow this disorder. About 60% still have the disorder as adults, resulting in a total of about 5% of adults with ADHD in the U.S.

I Think I Have ADHD: ADHD Symptoms

If you or your child lives with ADHD, then you know how difficult it can be. Struggling to focus on even the simplest of tasks, forgetfulness, and a tendency to become easily distracted can take its toll. Though symptoms vary from person to person, most ADHD symptoms fall within three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

1. Inattention

Difficulty with focus can be a serious issue for school-age children. For adults, problems with inattention can cause issues at work, relationships, or social situations. A person with ADHD might have difficulty with procrastination or frequently move from one uncompleted task to another.

Adult ADHD symptoms related to inattention include:

• Disorganization.
• Lacking focus.
• Tendency to make careless mistakes.
• Difficulty staying on topic.
• Trouble following social rules.
• Forgetful about daily activities
• Easily distracted.

Inattentive kids might:

• Have difficulty paying attention to details.
• Appear not to listen when spoken to.
• Show trouble following directions.
• Get bored easily and have difficulty completing tasks.
• Frequently misplace things like toys and homework.

2. Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity is more common in children with ADHD. Toddlers and preschoolers with ADHD tend to move constantly and have difficulty playing in groups or participating in activities that require them to sit still. In adults and teens, hyperactivity often shows as feelings of restlessness or a tendency to find stimulating activities calming.

Adult Symptoms of hyperactivity include:

• Frequently moving from one task to another.
• Feeling of restlessness during times of calm or quiet.
• Substances that often stimulate others might be calming, such as caffeine. 

Hyperactive kids might:

• Squirm while seated.
• Have difficulty staying seated.
• Run or climb when it’s not appropriate.
• Have trouble playing quietly.
• Talk a lot.
• Have a quick temper.

3. Impulsivity

Impulsivity affects children, teens, and adults with ADHD. An impulsive nature can lead to doing things that are risky or inappropriate without stopping to think about the consequences.

Adult Symptoms of impulsivity include:

• Impatience
• Talking out of turn, sometimes causing problems in social or work settings.
• Blurting out answers before someone finishes asking a question.
• Starting conversations at inappropriate times.
• Impulsive buying.
• Making quick decisions without thinking them through.

Impulsive kids might:

• Act without thinking.
• Invade other people’s space or ask overly personal questions.
• Have difficulty waiting patiently.
• Overreact emotionally.
• Interrupt others often.
• Intrude on other children’s games.
• Guess at answers rather than solving problems.

Living with ADHD can seem like a life of chaos. You might be easily overwhelmed by it all and fear that you’ll never amount to anything. Christian ADHD counseling challenges these thoughts by helping you reach your full, God-given potential.

Part 2: Meet Brice – Sam’s Father

Sam was tested and diagnosed with ADHD. As Sam’s parents began to learn more, his dad, Brice started to wonder if he too might have ADHD. As a child, he was often in trouble for being “too hyper” or “unfocused.” Though he didn’t feel hyperactive, Brice learned that ADHD in adults can show itself a little differently. Now he understood why he had trouble focusing and following through with tasks at work, often causing him to spend too much time doing things like browsing the internet. It also explained why he felt restless when things got too quiet, and why coffee seemed to calm him rather than hype him up. Brice had a lot of questions. Do I have ADHD? How is ADHD treated? Will my son and I be put on medications? Brice and his wife prayerfully sought guidance, and they decided to give Christian ADHD counseling a try.

Does my child really have ADHD? Does that mean I might have ADHD too? If you’re like Sam’s parent’s you probably have a lot of questions. You might fear that ADHD, especially in children, is over-diagnosed. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. By educating yourself, you can help aid your child’s physician with proper diagnoses.

ADHD is genetic, so if your child has a diagnosis and you can relate to adult symptoms of ADHD, you might consider getting treatment yourself.

It Might Not Be ADHD

When diagnosing ADHD in children, there are many things to consider. If your child has symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity that does not always mean that he or she has ADHD. There are other things such as certain medical and psychological disorders that create similar symptoms. Sometimes things like stress can also cause ADHD symptoms. Before a diagnoses of ADHD is made, your mental health professional will rule out possibility of:

• Learning disabilities.
• Major or stressful life events such as moving or death of a loved one.
• Psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and mood or behavior disorders.
• Medical conditions including thyroid disease, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.

If you’re an adult being tested for ADHD, your physician will first consider the possibility of:

• Bipolar disorder
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Sensory processing disorders
• Sleep disorders

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

Many things are considered when evaluating for ADHD. There is no standardized test for ADHD, but by looking at your current issues, history, and by ruling out other issues that can cause similar symptoms, your physician can reach an accurate diagnosis. Some of the common standards for diagnosing ADHD include:

• A reoccurring pattern of inattentive and/or hyperactive or impulsive symptoms for at least six months that negatively affect your social, academic, or occupational activities.
• Several symptoms experienced before age 12.
• Symptoms that are not better explained by another cause.

If you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, don’t be afraid to get help. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we offer a safe place for you to address your concerns, evaluate for other issues that might be causing symptoms, and provide you with the treatment you need. Should you need Christian ADHD counseling, rest assured that you and your loved ones are in the hands of skilled, compassionate professionals.

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Christian ADHD Counseling: Effective ADHD Treatment For All Ages

Part 3: Prayers Answered

Christian ADHD counseling was very helpful for Sam and his parents. They were given guidance when considering medication and, with proper treatment, Sam soon flourished.  Sam preserved his natural enthusiasm and humor, but was able to better focus in school and found ways he could serve God by using his own talents and creativity. Brice’s suspicions about himself were confirmed, and he too began treatment. Sam’s parents rested peacefully knowing that Sam had the support he needed to grow and succeed, while Brice found work more enjoyable, experienced far less anxiety, and connected with his son as they found support in one another.

Christian counseling for ADHD is a very effective tool for learning to manage symptoms of ADHD in children and adults. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, your counselor may ask to work with your physician to develop a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. This might include a mix of ADHD counseling techniques and medications.

Medications for ADHD

What medications are used for treating ADHD? There are two classes of ADHD medications: stimulants and non-stimulants. For help with understand Christian Psychiatry and what might be right for you or your child please visit our Christian psychiatry page.

Stimulants: Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for treating ADHD. Stimulants decrease hyperactivity and improve concentration. Some of the most common include Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin. Many parents are concerned about the overuse, abuse, and dependency of these medications. It’s important to educate yourself about the risks and rewards of these medications so that you can determine whether the need outweighs the possible side effects. Finding a health care professional you can trust who specializes in ADHD diagnostics and treatment is very important in order to avoid misdiagnosis and misuse of ADHD medications.

Non-Stimulants: Most adults with ADHD benefit from non-stimulant medications such as Strattera and Catapres. The non-stimulant, Intuniv is shown effective for children ages 6 to 17. Sometimes antidepressants such as Effexor work well for adults.

Psychological Therapy for ADHD

Medications are not always enough to combat the symptoms of ADHD. For the past two decades, strides have been made in treating ADHD though psychosocial interventions such as parent counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and behavior modification therapy. Christian ADHD Counseling offers:

• Help for parents of children with ADHD – As a parent, knowing how to best deal with a child that is hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive can be challenging. You want your child to behave well and succeed socially and academically. You also embrace many things about your child, such as their creative nature, energy, and enthusiasm. It’s important to understand that ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, but there are effective strategies that can help you solve behavior problems. Christian ADHD counseling will help you learn how to help your child control their symptoms without sacrificing their natural playfulness and creativity.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD – Adults and children with ADHD can benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). By using these techniques, you will gain a better understanding of how you view yourself and your surroundings, and how those thoughts impact the way you feel and behave. CBT helps children and adults with ADHD become more organized, stay focused, and improves ability to control emotions.
• Behavior modification therapy – Behavior therapy for children with ADHD is usually very successful and is the most commonly used method. The parents, child, and counselor work together to help change behavior by rewarding positive behaviors and discouraging negative behaviors. Your child will also learn skills for controlling issues with inattention and impulsivity.

Whether you’re a parent seeking ADHD counseling for kids, or an adult who is seeking relief from ADHD symptoms, it’s crucial to find help from someone you can trust. There are many reasons to turn to Tacoma Christian Counseling including:

• Trusted ADHD Treatment Options – There are many resources for ADHD treatment at Tacoma Christian Counseling. Whether you are a parent of a child who struggles with ADHD, or you suffer from adult ADHD, Christian ADHD counseling can greatly help you control your symptoms. We also provide support through group counseling and family counseling.
• Reliable ADHD Testing – Our skilled professionals at Tacoma Christian Counseling provide you with the latest technology and techniques for psychological testing. Finding someone you can trust to produce accurate results is of utmost importance so that you are provided with proper ADHD treatment.
• Faith First – Tacoma Christian Counseling offers more than just science-based therapy. We have seen healing in Christ where traditional methods fail. We provide people of faith a place for recovery that focuses on the grace, wisdom, and promises of our Lord, Jesus.
• Christian Psychiatry – We put people first. Medication is often used to help treat ADHD but it’s not for everyone. Discover with us your particular needs and options, while holding true to the values of your faith.

People with ADHD are wonderfully made by God. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our aim is to nurture the unique qualities you possess that make you who you are while offering solutions for living a more productive and successful life in Christ.

I think I might have ADHD. Do you do ADHD testing?

Yes & No. If you suspect that your child has ADHD, then testing is always important before treatment can begin. Often times, adults seek treatment without the need for formal testing. So, yes, we do provide testing services, but it isn’t always required. However, all adults and children who need ADHD treatment may consult with our Licensed Clinical Psychologist or our ANRP for an evaluation to determine whether or not the symptoms are caused by ADHD. At this time, you will learn about your treatment options, including whether or not medications are needed.

Can ADHD be treated without medications?

In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of medications and therapy. However, there are those who can learn to control their symptoms well enough with counseling alone depending on the severity of the symptoms. Sometimes symptoms of ADHD lesson as a person ages, and they might respond well to decreasing or eliminating their medications while focusing on psychological treatment methods.

I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD as a child. Could I have adult ADHD?

Yes. ADHD often goes undiagnosed in childhood. In-fact, approximately one-third of people with adult ADHD never experienced hyperactive or impulsive behaviors in childhood. Tacoma Christian Counseling is one of the leading places for ADHD counseling for adults in the area.

How long will I need Christian Counseling for ADHD?

Often times, ADHD is a chronic condition that requires some form of continual treatment, although there are cases when children outgrow the disorder. Sometimes the need for medications and treatment changes over time, so it’s important to regularly evaluate your symptoms and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRISTIAN ADHD COUNSELING.

If you or your child is struggling to manage symptoms of ADHD, the compassionate professionals at Tacoma Christian Counseling are here to help. To learn more about Christian ADHD counseling or to schedule your risk-free initial session, simply contact us online or call us at (253) 777-1997.