ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) usually appears in early childhood, but no matter when the diagnosis occurs, many people struggle with the condition throughout adulthood. When you need exceptional ADHD treatment, it’s time to seek help at HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP. Dr. Kuku helps you overcome ADHD with personalized therapy and medication when needed. To schedule an in-person or virtual appointment through telepsychiatry, call the office in Fairfield or Pleasant Hill, California, or use the online booking feature today.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurological disorder affecting development in certain brain areas. These brain changes disrupt the nerve networks responsible for controlling impulses and regulating attention and emotions. As a result, ADHD develops.

Children with ADHD aren’t purposefully misbehaving, and adults don’t intend to forget meetings. They’re overwhelmed because their brains don’t process information properly. ADHD causes such severe and frequent symptoms that it affects performance in school, at work, and in your social life.

What symptoms does ADHD cause?

ADHD is usually diagnosed in children before they reach the age of seven, but some people won’t learn they have ADHD until their teen or adult years.

There are three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. If you have combined ADHD, you have symptoms of both types.

People with inattentive ADHD may:

• Miss important details
• Get easily distracted
• Make reckless mistakes
• Not follow directions
• Forget to start or finish tasks
• Struggle to get or stay organized
• Zone out or daydream

If you have hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, you may:

• Struggle to sit still
• Stay constantly on the go
• Interrupt or talk over others
• Speak or act without thinking
• Make sudden decisions
• Lack self-control
• Need immediate rewards to stay motivated

People with any type of ADHD often have a poor working memory. Working memory allows you to hold multiple pieces of information in your head for a short time. For example, if you ask your child to do three parts of a task, they need working memory to keep those tasks in their head long enough to remember and do them.

Without working memory, children and adults have a hard time planning activities, completing tasks, and solving problems.

How is ADHD treated?

ADHD improves with two treatments: therapy and medication.

Therapy

HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP, considers therapy an essential part of ADHD treatment. During therapy, you can learn ways to manage the emotional and behavioral problems caused by ADHD. For example, you may need help with organizational techniques, anger management, or social skills.

Medications

Stimulant medications improve attention and reduce hyperactivity by increasing brain chemicals. If you prefer not to take stimulants, your provider may prescribe a non-stimulant medication proven to help ADHD symptoms.

Teens and adults can thrive despite ADHD when they get help from HumuHealth Psychiatry: Olukemi Kuku, DNP, PMHNP. To schedule an appointment, call the office or book one online today.