ADHD Psychologist in Edmonton - Insight Psychological

What is ADHD?

Tired,Parents,,Child,Energy,And,Parent,Care,Burnout,With,Anxiety

ADHD is a common mental disorder that affects both children and adults.

It is a chronic disorder that impacts the everyday lives of many individuals, including academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning.

ADHD can lead to feelings of poor self-worth, sensitivity toward criticism, and increased self-criticism.

The way ADHD presents differs between adults and children:

ADHD in Children

Children with ADHD often have difficulties paying attention, have controlling impulses and are hyperactive.

This can lead to children struggling with low self-esteem, poor performance in school, and troubled relationships.

ADHD symptoms in children often begin before the age of 12 and can be noticeable as young as three years old.

ADHD in Adults

Those with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but adults with ADHD can still deal with symptoms that deal with their day-to-day lives, such as impulsiveness, restlessness, and difficulty paying attention.

Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and to prioritize tasks.

The inability to control impulses can lead to impatience, mood swings, and outbursts of anger.

ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptoms fall into two types of behavioral problems: Inattentiveness (difficulty focusing and concentrating) and hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

While many individuals with ADHD exhibit symptoms in both categories, some may only struggle with attention while others with hyperactivity.

Here are the symptoms of ADHD in each category:

Small kid holding and watching something on a mobile phone

Short attention span

Thoughtful,African,American,Male,Employee,In,Glasses,Sit,At,Desk looking out the window

Distracted

Man falling down and getting stuck in a stepladder

Careless mistakes

Young boy slapping his palm to his head in frustration or anger

Forgetful

Young mother scolding her young daughter while grandma tries to interfere

Interrupting conversations

A child wanting to her mom who does not look impressed or want to

Unable to listen to or carry out instructions

Overwhelmed Woman with different objects surrounding her

Constantly changing tasks and activities

Female employee covering her work window with post-it notes

Difficulty organizing tasks

Happy Kid Jumping on a Couch with mom beside looking stressed

Unable to sit still (especially in calm environments)

Little,Blonde,Girl,Children,Play,With,New,Trend,Sensory,Toy

Constant fidgeting

Assessing and Diagnosing ADHD

There is no single test used to assess and diagnose ADHD. Our experts at Insight Psychological diagnose ADHD based on symptoms and how they impact an individual’s daily functioning.

They also look at how long symptoms have been present i.e. more than six months.

Along with diagnostic guidelines, our ADHD psychologists may also use a range of rating scales to test and track ADHD symptoms.

Treatment for ADHD

ADHD is treated using methods such as behavioral therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and mindfulness therapy:

Behavioral therapy looks at the individual’s current struggles and the factors influencing them to encourage changes in behavior and self-perception.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that influence an individual’s behavior.
Mindfulness therapy helps individuals focus on the moment as well as how to acknowledge and regulate emotions to break free of negative thought patterns.

ADHD Psychologists Near You

Therapist writing notes with a male client in the background

Our ADHD psychologists at Insight Psychological help individuals with ADHD change their behaviors and disruptive patterns by teaching healthy and effective coping techniques.

Therapy for ADHD focuses on learning organizational strategies and eliminating disruptive patterns that lead to academic and interpersonal difficulties.

If you believe you or your child would benefit from working with an ADHD psychologist near you, please contact our team at Insight Psychological or book your first appointment today.