ADHD Counseling

What is ADHD?

As with mental health overall, ADHD is complex and shows up differently for each unique person; however ADHD is fundamentally characterized by difficulty in regulating attention and emotion, impulsivity, and restlessness. These symptoms can present in a variety of ways, such as impaired time-management, disorganization, a drive to stay active, and distractibility.

Doesn’t everyone have trouble with attention?

Absolutely; attention is a struggle for everyone from time to time, especially in today’s world. However, an important part of what differentiates ADHD is how persistent the struggle with regulating attention is and how frequently it disrupts several areas of life. Thanks to the name, many assume ADHD is simply an inability to focus or pay attention; actually, ADHD is more accurately described as difficulty in regulating attention. In fact, those with ADHD are quite capable of sustaining attention when a topic or task is stimulating (interesting) to them. Instead, attention becomes much more variable for those with ADHD when a topic or task is no longer stimulating (boring/mundane). In these situations, those with ADHD have difficulty filtering out other stimuli and become more susceptible to distractions in their environment.

Isn’t ADHD a childhood problem? Is there such a thing as adult ADHD?

Though ADHD in adulthood may look different than in childhood, the adult ADHD experience is very real. For ADHD adults, the recurring experiences of losing important items, forgetting appointments and deadlines, or restlessness in careers and relationships can erode self-confidence. They often compare themselves with their friends and family, and can feel frustrated that others don’t seem to have the same struggles. Without the right supports and knowledge, ADHD adults and those around them may mistakenly label these challenges as character flaws rather than ADHD.

How can counseling help?

Difficulties regulating attention and emotion disrupt so many of life, leaving ADHD-ers to struggle with shame, anxiety, restlessness, self-judgement, and chronic overwhelm. Unfortunately, there are also still many stigmas associated with ADHD that can prevent both children and adults from receiving accurate diagnosis and support. For many with ADHD, this can amplify feelings of shame and low-self-esteem.

Counseling can help ADHD children and adults to process the emotional impact of the ADHD experience. For many, just learning about ADHD is an important step in addressing the judgement or frustration that has been internalized. Through the integration of psychoeducation in counseling, ADHD clients can develop a better understanding of the unique ways they process the world. Equipped with this understanding, ADHD-ers can begin to explore ways to work with their brain, rather than against it, to reach the goals they desire.

TL;DR: ADHD is complex, stigmatized, and often misunderstood, even within the mental health community. Working with a mental health professional who specializes in ADHD is a valuable tool in your ADHD support toolkit.

Texas ADHD Counseling: If you’re seeking a counselor who specializes in ADHD, we provide in-person counseling services in Denton, TX for those in the surrounding North Texas area, and online counseling for all Texas residents.

Call 940-202-0756 today for a no-cost phone consultation to see if we are the right fit for your counseling needs, or request an appointment below.

Disclaimer: The internet is a wonderful place to gather information, but mental health is very complex, and our understanding of ADHD is constantly developing. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. If you relate to this information, please consult with a trusted mental health care professional regarding your care.