ADHD For Dummies

Demystify ADHD with simple explanations of the basics and the latest research Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most globally prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders. ADHD For Dummies explores living a healthy and fulfilling life with ADHD, from seeking diagnosis to choosing the right treatment path for you or your loved one. Youll read about the latest in ADHD research, equipping you with valuable knowledge as you care for a child with ADHD or explore your own ADHD symptoms as an adult. This book provides the answers you need on how to deal with day-to-day challenges at home, school, and work, and how to find support and counseling. With appropriate management, anyone can live a great life with ADHD. This is the perfect Dummies guide for both parents of children with ADHD and adults with ADHD looking to learn more. Teachers, counselors, and therapiststhis is also a great resource to educate yourself and your clients. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1 The ABCs of ADHD Chapter 1 ADHD Basics Identifying Symptoms of ADHD Peering into primary symptoms Seeing a few secondary symptoms Clueing in on ADHD’s Origins Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD Choosing your professional Preparing for the evaluation process Viewing Various Treatment Approaches Recognizing ADHD’s Role in Your Life Accentuating the positive Dealing with daily life Chapter 2 Exploring the Causes of ADHD Gaining Perspective from Past Theories Coming at ADHD Research from All Sides Examining Self-Regulation’s Role in ADHD Recognizing self-regulation as a core issue Linking executive brain functions and self-regulation Exploring Current ADHD Research Genetic Anatomical Functional Chemical Getting Down to the Bottom Line Chapter 3 The Many Facets of ADHD Picturing the Primary Symptoms of ADHD Inattention/distractibility Impulsivity Restlessness/hyperactivity Considering Some Secondary Symptoms Anticipation of failure Worry Boredom Loss of motivation/feelings of hopelessness Frustration Low self-esteem Sleep disturbances Substance abuse Facing ADHD in Different Populations Children Adolescents Adults Women Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQIA+ Part 2 Diagnosing ADHD Chapter 4 Moving Forward with a Diagnosis Help Wanted: Searching for the Right Person or People ADHD specialist Family physician Pediatrician Psychologist Clinical social worker ADHD coach Psychiatrist Neurologist Neuropsychiatrist/behavioral neurologist Educational diagnostician Speech–language pathologist Occupational therapist Other professionals you may encounter Examining Your Values Digging into your ideas about diagnosis Tackling your thoughts on treatment Evaluating Your ADHD Professional Selecting a diagnostician Partnering up for treatment Getting a Second Opinion Managing Your Care Being Eligible for Services Getting a diagnosis for legal purposes Examining your insurance coverage Seeking out school services Chapter 5 Navigating the Evaluation Process Preparing for the Evaluation Process Mental Health Evaluations Medical Testing Educational Testing Motor, Cognitive, and Social Skills Testing Behavioral Assessment Performance Testing and Your Ability to Maintain Attention Knowing What to Do after Diagnosis Chapter 6 Investigating Conditions with ADHD-like Symptoms Understanding Differential Diagnosis: Sorting Out Your Symptoms Mental Disorders Sharing Features with ADHD Anxiety disorders Obsessive-compulsive disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder Bipolar disorder Depression Pervasive developmental disorders Learning disorders Oppositional defiant disorder/ conduct disorder Antisocial personality disorder Sleep disorders Tourette’s syndrome Medical Conditions: Making a Physical Connection Allergies and sensitivities Epilepsy Thyroid dysfunction Brain conditions Sensory Processing Disorders Overlapping with ADHD Central auditory processing disorder Visual processing disorder Pseudo-ADHD and Environmental Influences Part 3 Treating ADHD Chapter 7 Choosing the Best Treatment Options for You Understanding the Three Levels of Treatment Biological treatments Psychological treatments Social treatments Trying Multiple Treatments Together Developing Your Plan for Treatment Naming your challenges Identifying your goals Sifting through the options Prioritizing which treatments to do when Combining approaches safely Following your progress Keeping Up-to-Date on New Therapies Attending conferences Browsing the Internet and social media Reading professional journal articles Participating in support group meetings Chapter 8 Managing Medication Considering Whether Medication Is Right for You Understanding How ADHD Medications Work Exploring Medication Types Stimulants Methylphenidate Amphetamine Provigil and Nuvigil Nonstimulant ADHD medication Non-SNRI antidepressants Antihypertensives Monitoring Your Success with Medication Recognizing positive results Singling out side effects Charting your progress Knowing when to call it quits on medication Chapter 9 Queuing Up Counseling, Coaching, and Training Thinking about How Counseling Can Add to Your Treatment Plan Exploring Counseling and Therapy Options Understanding yourself through insight-oriented therapy Bringing the unconscious to light Realizing the limitations Digging deep Benefiting from supportive therapy Considering cognitive-behavioral therapy Changing it up with behavior modification Expressing yourself through play therapy Adding to your toolbox with psychoeducational counseling Bringing everyone together for family therapy Getting into group therapy Beefing up your treatment with support groups Adding an ADHD Coach to Your Treatment Team Looking at Training to Help You Develop Important Skills Keeping awareness training in mind Putting yourself in parent training Improving yourself through skills training Finding the Right Counselor, Coach, or Trainer for You Chapter 10 Managing Problem Behaviors Taking Behavior 101 Association Feed forward/feedback Behavioral therapy basics Looking at Behavioral Treatment Strategies Behavior modification Covering behavior modification basics Making behavior modification a success Being aware of possible downsides Cognitive-behavioral therapy Understanding how cognitive-behavioral therapy works Checking out CBT in action Awareness training Chapter 11 Considering How Nutrition, Supplements, and Your Environment May Impact ADHD Digging Into a Healthy Diet Drinking more water Adding essential fatty acids Being alert to food allergies and sensitivities Cracking down on simple carbohydrates Providing plenty of protein Saying goodbye to sugars Balancing your body’s yeast Viewing Vitamin and Herb Supplements Considering supportive supplements for better overall health Blue-green algae Essential fatty acids Calcium and magnesium Choline/lecithin Ginseng Maritime pine (Pycnogenol) Taking specific supplements to support your nervous system Vinpocetine Melatonin L-tyrosine 5-HTP Valerian root Nutraceuticals: Combining Vitamins and Herbs Addressing Possible Aggravators in Your Environment Allergens Dust Dust mites Mold Animal dander, fur, and feathers Pollens Chemicals Chapter 12 Examining Neuromodulation Therapies Altering Brain Activity Through Neurofeedback Getting some background on neurofeedback Exploring the neurofeedback process Knowing what to expect from neurofeedback Finding a neurofeedback provider Using Auditory Brain Stimulation to Ease ADHD Symptoms Rhythmic Entrainment Intervention (REI) Exploring the REI process Knowing what to expect from REI Finding an REI provider Tomatis-based approaches Exploring Tomatis-based processes Knowing what to expect from Tomatis-based approaches Finding a provider for Tomatis-based approaches Binaural beats Exploring the process of binaural beats Knowing what to expect from binaural beats Finding a binaural beats provider Using Electrical Brain Stimulation to Dim Your ADHD Symptoms Tracing electrical brain stimulation to its start Keeping current on electrical brain stimulation processes Knowing what to expect from electrical brain stimulation Finding a transcranial electrical brain stimulation provider Making Sense of Magnetic Brain Stimulation Getting some background on transcranial magnetic stimulation Exploring the transcranial magnetic stimulation process Knowing what to expect when using TMS Finding a transcranial magnetic stimulation provider Chapter 13 Getting a Handle on Rebalancing Therapies Balancing Energy through Acupuncture Understanding the practice of acupuncture Exploring the acupuncture process Knowing what results to expect from acupuncture Finding an acupuncture provider Helping Your Body Heal Itself with Homeopathy Understanding the practice of homeopathy Exploring the process of homeopathy Knowing what results to expect from homeopathy Finding a homeopathy provider Using Manipulation Therapies Understanding the practice of manipulation therapy Exploring the manipulation therapy process Knowing what results to expect from manipulation therapy Finding a provider for manipulation therapy Assisting Your Brain with Processing Sensory Information Understanding the practice of sensory integration Exploring the process of sensory integration Knowing what results to expect from sensory integration Finding a provider for sensory integration Looking Into Vision Therapies Understanding the practice of vision therapy Exploring the vision therapy process Knowing what results to expect from vision therapy Finding a vision therapy provider Part 4 Living with ADHD Chapter 14 Accentuating the Positive Seeing the Positive in Your Symptoms Examining Areas of Aptitude Capitalizing on creativity Capturing chaos Accessing energy Recognizing your risk-taking nature Supporting your desire for independence Exploring ambition Leaning into intuition Examining adaptability Assessing athleticism Finding and Nurturing the Areas Where You Excel Chapter 15 Creating Harmony at Home Laying the Foundation for a Healthy Homelife Exercising empathy Effectively expressing emotions Focusing on clear and effective communication Acknowledging your appreciation Defusing conflict Healing the past Being realistic Improving Your Homelife When You Have ADHD Managing moods Taking responsibility Being Single and Dating with ADHD Handling issues with hyperfocusing and novelty Sticking with it long term Parenting a Child with ADHD Preventing problems Treating your child’s ADHD effectively Understanding characteristics of ADHD behavior Setting rules and expectations Creating a structured environment Perpetuating positive behavior Dealing with discipline Doling out discipline Considering consequences Dealing with defiance Raising more than one child Creating cooperation Settling sibling rivalry Encouraging play and fun Enhancing self-esteem Parenting as a team Living with a Partner Who Has ADHD Working together Staying close Taking time for yourself Adopting Good Habits Getting organized Exercising regularly Limiting media Ensuring the best sleep possible Chapter 16 Creating Success at School Overcoming Challenges at Any Age Addressing elementary school issues Managing middle school difficulties Handling high school challenges Cluing into college challenges Getting to Know Your Legal Rights Having realistic expectations Examining IDEA Utilizing Section 504 Addressing Your Child’s Needs: Developing an Educational Plan Understanding what an educational plan is Getting involved Developing an accurate plan Keeping tabs on the progress Getting the Most from Your Child’s Teachers Looking for the right teacher Working with your child’s teacher Documenting Your School Experiences Dealing with Difficult Times in School Lunchtime and recess Transitions Opportunities for socialization Interactions with some teachers and administrators Exploring Schooling Alternatives Working with Your Child at Home Helping with homework Arranging for a private tutor Supporting self-esteem Helping your child stay organized Chapter 17 Winning at Work Getting an Overview of ADHD Challenges at Work To Tell or Not to Tell: Sharing Your Diagnosis with Coworkers Legally speaking: Understanding your rights Practically speaking: Making your decision Managing Yourself Working on Work Relationships Paying attention to office dynamics Dealing with authority Getting along with coworkers Working remotely Being the boss Doing Day-to-Day Tasks Getting organized Managing your time Handling larger projects Staying focused Dealing with details Creating Overall Success for Yourself Finding the right field for you Pondering long-term plans Making your current job work for you Understanding your value in the workplace Striking a healthy work-life balance Going It Alone: Being Self-Employed Part 5 The Part of Tens Chapter 18 Ten (Plus) Tips to Organize Your Life Writing Down Ideas and Appointments Setting Reminders Organizing Your Time Employing Technology Charting Your Schedule Planning Ahead Completing Your Projects Breaking things down Making a plan Taking one step at a time Cutting Clutter Off at the Source Putting Things in Their Places Creating a Color-Coding System Deciding What’s Really Important to You Chapter 19 Ten (or So) Ways to Improve Your Family Relationships Taking Responsibility Focusing on the Positive Releasing Anger and Resentment Getting Rid of Guilt Talking It Out Working Together Having Regular Family Meetings Being Realistic Having Fun Together Walking Away before Blowing Up Prioritizing Time to Destress Chapter 20 Ten Resources for More Information and Ongoing Support Internet Forums Websites Support Groups Your Child’s School Local Colleges and Universities Your ADHD Professional Books on Specific Aspects of ADHD The Library Family and Friends Talk Therapy Appendix Treatment Tracking Forms Keeping Daily Tabs on Your Treatment Performing Periodic Effectiveness Assessments Index EULA