ADHD

ADHD services offered in Doylestown and King Of Prussia, PA

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) makes daily life an ongoing struggle as you try (often unsuccessfully) to build friendships and find success at school or work. At P.S. Psychiatry in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Eileen Peirce, RN-BSN, PMHNP-CRNP, can help turn your challenges around with medications that restore your focus and calm hyperactive tendencies. Don’t wait to learn more about ADHD treatments that ease your symptoms. Call P.S. Psychiatry or connect online to request an in-person or telehealth appointment today.

ADHD Q&A

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that originates with changes in the structures and nerve networks in your brain. These changes cause obvious symptoms before the age of 12, whether or not you receive an ADHD diagnosis.

Though ADHD is often identified between the ages of 4-7, many children continue struggling with their symptoms throughout their adult years. Additionally, many people aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Everyone sometimes gets overactive or struggles to pay attention. But these typical behaviors are noticeably different from ADHD symptoms that occur regularly and are so severe they cause problems at school, lead to poor performance on the job, and upset family life.

The symptoms you or your child experience depend on whether you have inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined ADHD (having inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms).

People with inattentive ADHD:

Miss important details
Are easily distracted
Make reckless mistakes
Forget to start or finish tasks
Daydream instead of paying attention
Struggle to stay organized
Have a hard time following directions

Another sign of inattention is misplacing or losing important things, like house keys and homework assignments.

People with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD:

Talk a lot
Stay in motion
Act impatient or restless
Interrupt others
Lack impulse control
Struggle to take turns
Fidget or move when it’s inappropriate (in the classroom or a business meeting)

Children and adults may also struggle to regulate their emotions, leading to unexpected anger or outbursts.

How is ADHD treated?

Treatment for ADHD typically begins with medication. Stimulant medications do the best job of improving attention and focus and controlling hyperactivity. Stimulant medications are available in numerous forms. Some last 6-12 hours; others only improve symptoms for 3-4 hours. A few can last as long as 14-16 hours.

Additionally, you can get stimulants in tablet and liquid form, patches (that go on your skin), and capsules. Parents can open the capsules and mix the medicine with food if that’s easier for their child.

If you prefer to avoid stimulants or try them and have side effects, your provider can recommend non-stimulant medications. Your provider can help you choose the safest and most effective medication with genetic testing.

Most people with ADHD also benefit from behavioral therapy that teaches the skills they need to function in daily life. Your provider may also suggest strategies to implement at home that support issues like planning, organization, and emotional outbursts.

Call P.S. Psychiatry or use online booking to request an in-person or telehealth appointment for ADHD today.