What To Do When a Loved One is Diagnosed with ADHD
Your loved one has been struggling and you’ve just learned that their psychological evaluation reveals that they have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Now what?
We understand this may be a scary time filled with uncertainty and confusion. Our next series of articles will provide some valuable tips on how to handle this diagnosis. Let’s get started:
Understand the Diagnosis
The first step in learning to live with a loved ones ADHD diagnosis is to understand it. While ADHD can look different in different people, some common characteristics include difficulty concentrating, frequent daydreaming, impulsive behaviors and difficulty making decisions. Once an ADHD evaluation is complete, your loved ones therapist will develop an ADHD treatment plan. It is advisable that you participate in at least a few family therapy and/or couples therapy sessions with your loved one so you can gain a better understanding of how ADHD affects them and how ADHD treatment works. While your loved one will participate in ADHD treatment sessions, you may choose to seek individual therapy and/or group therapy for your own guidance and support.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is important to our overall health. Unfortunately, in today’s fast-paced world, many people do not make time for sufficient self-care. Dealing with a loved one with ADHD is often a trying and exhausting process. Proper self-care gives you time to relax, rejuvenate, reflect and refresh yourself so you are better prepared physically, emotionally and spiritually to handle whatever lies ahead. Self-care can include just about anything that is fulfilling to you such as reading a book, taking a long bath, going to dinner with a friend, watching a movie and even seeking support through individual therapy and/or group therapy.
Our next article will discuss more ways to help you cope when a loved one has been diagnosed with ADHD.
Psychological Assessment and Treatment Services, LLC (PATS) is a full-service counseling practice located in Tampa, Florida. PATS team of highly qualified and licensed psychologists and mental health counselors offer a variety of services including (but not limited to): psychological evaluation and treatment of mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression and anxiety, stress management, grief counseling, divorce care, life transitions, ADHD evaluation and ADHD treatment for children, teens and adults.
If you or a family member think you may have ADHD, please know you are not alone. Our clinicians are highly trained and can conduct a psychological evaluation to determine if ADHD could be the root cause of some of the issues you are facing. During ADHD treatment, we educate you on ways to manage your symptoms, help you modify behaviors and walk with you as you learn healthy new ways to cope. We provide individual therapy, family therapy, couples therapy and group therapy options for those living with ADHD and their loved ones. We are here for you. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified and compassionate counselors today! Hablamos Español.
