Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

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  • We all have moments of struggling to concentrate or find ourselves easily distracted at one time or another. This is a normal reaction to stress, anxiety or to environments and situations with many distractions.

    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is more than occasional concentration difficulties. Patients find that their symptoms impact their work performance, relationships and friendships and, if untreated, can be a significant cause of distress. The condition is developmental and normally diagnosed in childhood. However, many adults seeking treatment now recognize that they have had symptoms for much of their lives. It is common, for example, for parents seeking treatment for their children to identify with their child’s difficulties and to seek treatment for themselves.

    As the name suggests, symptoms can be either inattentive or hyperactive. Inattentive symptoms are difficulty maintaining focus or organizing oneself to complete a complex task. Hyperactive symptoms relate to a feeling of having too much energy, such as feeling unable to sit still and being unable to prevent oneself from interrupting when it is inappropriate to do so,

    ADHD is a condition that can be treated. If you would like to discuss how these symptoms are affecting your life and explore options for treatment, click here to schedule with Dr. Kennedy today.

    You are not alone. Based on research carried out by the national institute for mental health (NIMH) It is estimated that as many as 4% of the population will experience a mood or anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

  • You may have ADHD if, you have the following symptoms, often dating back to childhood or adolescence:

    - Difficulty paying attention to details or making careless mistakes

    - Struggling to keep focused on a task over a long period of time

    - Being distracted or “spacing out” during a conversation and missing important details

    - Finding it difficult to complete tasks because you get “Side-tracked”

    - Organizational difficulties, being constantly late or missing deadlines

    - Avoiding tasks that you know will need sustained mental effort

    - Losing things, such as keys, wallets or phones

    - Being forgetful in keeping appointments or returning calls

    - Fidgeting. Finding it difficult to sit still or constantly playing with a pen or tapping your hands or feet.

    - Talking excessively

    - Struggling to wait one’s turn.

    - Interrupting conversations.

    If these symptoms are impacting you and your life, or if you would like to learn more, schedule an appointment with Dr Kennedy today.

    Click here to schedule and take the first step in treatment.

  • Working with a doctor who has experience and expertise in treating ADHD is the best start.

    An experienced psychiatrist can perform a full evaluation to make a diagnosis and discuss the different options for treatment.

    This may involve medication or psychotherapy or a combination of both. There are a number of different medication options available, including many non-stimulant options. Extensive research has shown that treatment for any condition works best when it is tailored to each patient’s unique symptoms and circumstances.

    Contact Dr. Kennedy today to schedule an appointment and discuss how treatment may benefit you.

  • The National Institute of Mental Health has provided a patient information guide to depressive disorders.

    Click here to download this guide, free of charge, direct from their website.

    (Dr. Nigel I. Kennedy MD PhD is not responsible for the content of external websites)

As a specialist psychiatrist, Dr. Kennedy has extensive clinical experience in treating adults with attention deficit disorders. Treatment commonly involves medication management to treat the symptoms of anxiety and psychotherapy to identify and treat any underlying psychological issues that may be contributing to symptoms. The first session is an extensive evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and to explore options for treatment. Click here to arrange a brief courtesy call or to schedule an appointment.