Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity

I offer CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy, a kind of CBT), with a specialty in ADHD. I providing coaching as well to help you learn to manage your ADHD symptoms and learn healthier, less dangerous coping mechanisms that can enhance your life.

There are three main types of ADHD:

• Predominantly inattentive presentation, which is characterised by concentration difficulties, forgetfulness and being easily distracted.
• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation, which is characterised by hyperactivity (fidgeting, restlessness, unrestrained talking) and impulsivity (acting hastily without considering consequences, interrupting others)
• Combined presentation, which is characterised by symptoms of both the above types

Not much is known about the causes of ADHD, although extensive research is underway. Genetics is believed to play the largest role; however, other potential risk factors include brain injury, exposure to environmental toxins, and problems with the central nervous system during development.

Interestingly, researchers have recently discovered that there could be a correlation between trauma and ADHD. Studies show that traumatic experiences – such as emotional abuse and neglect – are more prevalent in children with ADHD compared to children without this disorder. Indeed, it appears that experiencing trauma or stressful life events at a young age may increase a child’s vulnerability to developing ADHD or displaying inattentive/hyperactive behaviours. Conversely, many children with ADHD experience trauma as a result of being bullied, struggling to fit-in, or being reprimanded by authority figures. People with ADHD receive 20, 000 more negative messages in a lifetime than someone without ADHD.

You may be thinking: if ADHD and trauma are so intertwined, how do we tell the difference? Well, sometimes they cannot be teased apart – thus, we need to treat them both.