ADHD - Treatment and therapy

What are the causes of ADHD?

The causes of ADHD can vary and include:

• Anatomical factors (functional anomalies of brain structures);

• Prenatal factors (complications during pregnancy and childbirth);

• Genetic factors (gene mutations);

• neurodevelopmental disorders;

• atypical neurometabolism;

• environmental factors. 

What are the typical symptoms of ADHD?

Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are noticeable as early as infancy and early childhood. One of the symptoms, for example, is sleep disturbance. The older a child gets, the more pronounced the symptoms become, and they can be divided into three groups (a.k.a. ADHD subtypes):

• Psychomotor hyperactivity - excessive motor activity that is not directly related to the activity currently being performed;

• impulsivity - the tendency to act without anticipating consequences;

• Difficulty maintaining attention and problems with organization.

Common symptoms of ADHD in adults include:

• psychomotor hyperactivity, or the need for constant movement even in situations that require concentration;

• Carelessness, not paying attention to duties and possessions;

• Problems with maintaining order, organization, and meeting deadlines;

• Attention problems, succumbing to the slightest external stimuli;

• Talkativeness making it difficult to maintain proper social relations;

• excessive impulsiveness, restless and unpredictable behavior;

• A tendency to make frequent mistakes due to inattention;

• Not paying attention to details or not noticing them;

• Difficulty maintaining attention while performing tasks;

• Reluctance to perform tasks that require focus;

• unintentional inaccuracy in the performance of work;

• rapid loss of interest in any subject;

• The proverbial "rocking in the clouds."

Are ADHD symptoms in women the same as in men?

ADHD occurs in both women and men, although symptoms vary between the sexes.

In the case of ADHD in men, the symptoms of the disorder are often more noticeable and related to behavior. Men show greater impulsivity and a high need for physical activity. Their problems are clearly noticeable as early as childhood, around the age of six. Untreated ADHD in adult men often leads to problems with the law or results in addictions to psychoactive substances and a tendency to engage in risky behavior.

The topic of ADHD symptoms in women is more complicated. Studies have shown that female symptoms are more likely to be more "internal" and therefore may be less noticeable to those around them. Women have attention deficit disorder, problems with organization and time management, and low self-esteem. Symptoms of ADHD in women appear around the age of twelve and are often confused with symptoms of adolescence. Sometimes female patients are misdiagnosed with anxiety disorders, personality disorders or depression instead of a diagnosis of ADHD. Other problems mistaken for ADHD are hormone-related mood disorders or other psychiatric disorders.

Are the symptoms of ADHD the same in adult patients as in children?

ADHD symptoms evolve with age. The child's atypical behavior (talkativeness, busyness, lack of focus, etc.) persists well into adolescence. In adulthood, the motor hyperactivity mellows, while problems with concentration and organization remain.

This is partly due to the maturity of the brain and partly due to the patient's adaptation to his environment. Many people who are not properly diagnosed hide their symptoms to avoid criticism or rejection. Failure to diagnose ADHD in adults makes it difficult for them to function in everyday life.

How to properly diagnose ADHD?

Problems with concentration and organization, susceptibility to distractions, and the other behaviors mentioned above may suggest that we are talking about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a person. They may or may not!

Similar symptoms can result from severe stress or mental disorders, so an in-depth interview with a specialist is key to a correct diagnosis. To do this, it is best to go to a mental health clinic and take part in an ADHD diagnosis.

ADHD diagnosis - how does the diagnosis process proceed step by step?

A correct diagnosis is the first step to starting treatment for ADHD in adults or children. ADHD can be diagnosed by a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist, and the diagnosis of ADHD itself has several stages.

✅ The first step is an interview, which consists of a series of psychological tests - including the DIVA-5 test to assess the patient's overall functioning, or the innovative MOXO test, which measures reaction time disorders. The test results confirm whether the symptoms meet medical criteria for ADHD.

✅ In the next step, the specialist - a psychologist or psychiatrist - discusses with the adult patient his development during childhood and school age. He inquires about the patient's treatment history and difficult experiences, and may also want to verify information from certificates or school opinions. Questions about the child's development are answered only by the parents. It is a good idea to provide the specialist with a current opinion from the school psychological and pedagogical counseling center.

✅ After the interview, the specialist determines the next plan of action, that is, how the treatment will proceed and whether it will be necessary to start drug treatment.

ADHD in adults, as in children, can be treated by reducing symptoms.

How does the treatment of ADHD proceed?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy works well in treating ADHD, especially if the patient has comorbid mental illnesses (such as anxiety disorders or depression). Various behavioral techniques are used in ADHD therapy. The patient learns how to properly communicate and relate to other people, plan and organize various activities, etc. Cognitive techniques mainly involve working to identify the patient's strengths. He learns to distinguish his symptoms and assess their impact on his situation.

Psychodynamic therapy is also used as part of the treatment, especially when the patient is struggling with a personality disorder (e.g., has been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder).

In the case of severe symptoms or associated disorders (e.g., oppositional defiant disorder, severe behavioral disorders or depression), drug treatment is used in addition to therapy. Appropriate psychostimulants, non-stimulants or antidepressants are prescribed to patients by a psychiatrist.

Start treatment for ADHD at CPP Professional Assistance Center

If you suspect that you have (or your child has) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, proper ADHD diagnosis and treatment will help you manage the symptoms of this disorder. Trust our specialists!

✅ Multidimensional care

At CPP Professional Help Center, support is provided by specialists in various fields, including a psychiatrist, psychologist, child psychologist, psychotherapists and a sexologist. You can count on expert diagnosis and various forms of ADHD treatment - we have been on the market since 2002 and have already helped many people return to mental balance.

✅ Full confidentiality and protection of patient data

Patients' conversations with specialists are covered by professional confidentiality. We create a safe space for conversations - both online and in stationary offices.

✅ Flexible meeting schedules

Our specialists are available at various times of the day. We operate stationary in Warsaw, Krakow and Wroclaw, but online consultation is also possible.

✅ Support and education of patients' families

A family member's mental disorders always affect their loved ones, which is why we also offer couples psychotherapy, individual psychotherapy for partners and psychotherapy for children. If you feel that your loved ones may need help, they will find it at our center.

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Treatment of ADHD in adults and children: FAQ

What if a loved one is facing difficulties due to ADHD symptoms?

If your loved one has been diagnosed with ADHD and is participating in therapy or has started treatment, you can provide additional support. Consider joining professional support groups for parents or partners. This will broaden your knowledge of the disorder. You will also learn to recognize certain behavior patterns.

Together with this person, you can also introduce a certain routine and selected rules into your lives. Establish common activities and ways to relieve stress. Also agree on your common language for describing your situation, e.g. in the company of others you will not say "he is sick" or "she is suffering." By avoiding stigmatizing terms, you will add strength and self-confidence to a person with an ADHD diagnosis.

If, on the other hand, you notice symptoms typical of ADHD in a loved one, but he or she has not had a diagnosis or treatment, try to convince him or her to see a specialist. Enlisting the help of professionals will allow both you and the person affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to get along better.

My child has been diagnosed with ADHD. How can I help him calm down and quiet down?

Children with ADHD, in addition to therapy and drug treatment, need the support of loved ones. Here's how you can help them:

💡 Create rules and consistently remind your child of them to help control impulsivity. When symptoms flare up, get your child's attention and make him focus on you. Speak in simple language and repeat the rule until the child complies.

💡 A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can't stop moving on demand. However, you can help him "discharge" excess energy in a safe way by arranging regular physical activity in the form that gives the child the most pleasure. If your child already attends school, you can, for example, ask teachers to let your child chew gum during lessons.

💡 To support your child's efforts to maintain attention, limit the number of unnecessary objects in your child's sight.

• If he goes to school, he should do his homework at an uncluttered desk - without toys, ornaments and vacation memorabilia.

• If he is reading a book, let him use a ruler that will indicate the text he is currently reading.

• If he has a complicated task to complete, help him break it down into smaller chunks that will take less time to complete.