Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine serving Virginia
ADHD Services Offered Throughout Virginia
Though attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may go unnoticed until adulthood, it’s usually diagnosed in children aged 4-7, the condition persists throughout their adult life. At Vital Health & Integrative Care, Aminata Kamara, FNP, PMHNP-BC, offers mental health care to patients throughout Virginia, including comprehensive treatment for ADHD. Dr. Kamara treats children and adults with ADHD, providing all their care through telehealth appointments. To learn more, call the office or use the online booking tool today.
What is ADHD?
ADHD arises from brain changes affecting nerve communication. These brain differences affect the areas responsible for planning tasks, regulating emotions, and attending to the task at hand. As a result, children develop the core challenges of ADHD: problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
All children occasionally get hyperactive or have a hard time paying attention. But ADHD causes severe challenges that occur frequently, disrupt daily life, and affect an individual’s ability to succeed at school and later in life, on the job.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
The symptoms depend on the type of ADHD:
Inattentive ADHD
Inattentive ADHD causes the following symptoms:
- Overlooking important details
- Making reckless mistakes
- Getting distracted (easily and regularly)
- Forgetting to start or finish tasks
- Being unable to get (or stay) organized
- Daydreaming instead of paying attention
- Having a hard time following directions
Many people with ADHD often lose important items, such as homework and keys, and try to avoid tasks that require mental effort.
Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD
People with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD experience symptoms such as:
- Struggling to control impulses
- Fidgeting when they should be sitting still
- Being constantly on the go
- Talking a lot and blurting out answers
- Feeling restless or impatient
- Finding it hard to wait their turn
Your child may frequently interrupt conversations or disrupt a game that’s in progress.
Combined ADHD
Combined ADHD causes symptoms from both types.
How is ADHD treated?
Aminata performs a thorough ADHD evaluation, learning the details about you or your child’s emotional and behavioral symptoms. After diagnosing ADHD, she creates a customized treatment plan targeting your unique challenges.
For most children and adults, the first line of treatment includes stimulant medications. Stimulants help balance brain chemicals, improving attention and reducing hyperactivity. Aminata explains the benefits and risks of stimulants. If you prefer to avoid them, she can recommend other medications.
Psychotherapy is also an essential part of ADHD treatment. Medication treats symptoms, but therapy teaches how to overcome common ADHD challenges. For example, many people with ADHD need help controlling emotional outbursts, organizing their time, and improving social skills.
Aminata also takes a holistic, integrative approach to ADHD treatment, recommending lifestyle changes that promote overall health and well-being. Though foods don’t cause ADHD, changing an unhealthy diet often improves ADHD symptoms.
People of all ages can overcome ADHD with personalized care at Vital Health & Integrative Care. Don’t wait to call the office or book a telehealth appointment online today.
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