Although it is a common disorder among children and adults, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can go undetected for years. In many cases, it is only during their breaking point that individuals with ADHD seek help.  

When to talk to ADHD specialists in San Diego is not an issue. This condition is manageable with a medicinal or non-medicinal approach. Moreover, you can take back control of your life with the right ADHD psychiatrist in San Diego to help you with the process.  

Right now, if you are asking: “Where can I find the best ADHD specialists near me?” you are one step closer to complete healing, especially if you choose an ADHD specialist that offers a holistic treatment plan. Read on to better understand ADHD and how a holistic treatment program can help you. 

What is ADHD? An Overview

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a mental disorder. According to the World Federation of ADHD, 2.5 percent of adults are affected. The common signs include: 

  • Hyperactivity 
  • Poor attention span 
  • Restlessness 
  • Disorganization 
  • Impulsiveness 
  • Difficulty coping with stress 
  • Mood swings 
  • Temperamental 

Adult ADHD Specialists Near Me… Do They Really Get How Hard It Is?

Adults with ADHD can live a challenging life. You feel the brunt no matter the environment. At work, you may find it hard to focus on tasks, meet the deadlines, and deal with pressure. The same thing can happen at home. ADHD manifests in different ways depending on the person. You may lack the ability to plan, struggle with organization, cannot sit still, and hyperactive. Individuals with ADHD have their own deficits.    

As well, you and other individuals may be living a harder life unknowingly– because for many ADHD is frequently undetected and/or undiagnosed. 

The ADHD specialists in our San Diego psychiatric positions have had many encounters with people who did not even know they had adult ADHD. “Some people come to [us] at their breaking point, not knowing they have the condition. All they knew was they couldn’t focus and handled stress poorly.” 

As a response, you and other unwitting patients may develop coping mechanisms to battle adult ADHD-associated behaviors that you thought were normal. Those who learned to adapt dismiss ADHD as a possible cause for the signs until they reach a breaking point.   

Myths and Misconceptions About Adult ADHD 

Until now, many people still do not fully understand what ADHD is. Most have varying opinions about the conditions that are not based on facts. Here are a few: 

ADHD is rare

Contrary to what most people believe, ADHD is a common condition among children, but parents often dismiss the signs as normal childhood behavior. Also, it is often misconceived as a purely behavioral problem than medical.  

ADHD is a hereditary medical condition that needs long-term treatment. It can be addressed through medication or non-medical approaches.  

Poor parenting causes ADHD

The idea that ADHD is a result of poor parenting is false. Poor parenting doesn’t cause ADHD. Some research show ADHD patients have low levels of neurotransmitters in the brain’s basal ganglia and prefrontal cortical area.  

For this reason, parents should not feel ashamed or take fault for something they did not cause. In fact, arents face a huge challenge in raising a child with ADHD and their parenting styles should be specialized. Those who are not aware of their child’s condition may apply ineffective disciplinary methods and worsen the issue. This is the reason why parents should be proactive in having their children’s health checked so they can detect any medical issues early. This way, they can apply appropriate parenting techniques in case their child is diagnosed with ADHD.

Getting treatment and help earlier on can help you with adult ADHD as well. The longer you wait to get treatment for ADHD, the worse your symptoms can become.

ADHD goes away over time

Some people still assume that ADHD can go away as a person matures, but this is not true. While most individuals with ADHD outgrow some of the signs, the other aspects of the condition remain throughout their adult life. According to recent studies, some of the associated behaviors are retained in as much as 85% of children with ADHD.  

Medication helps improve and manage the condition, but non-medical approaches also prove to be an effective option. ADHD treatment without medication can also help adults lead a productive life, as seen in many of our patients.  

You can’t miss the signs of ADHD 

As we’ve mentioned, ADHD can go undetected. Some people, including family, surrounding peers, and individuals having the condition, may underrate the signs and move on without addressing the issue. Until they reach a breaking point, it’s easy to misinterpret them as stress.  

What are the Root Causes of ADHD? 

The exact cause of ADHD has not yet been determined despite continuous research, but there are possible factors:  

  • Genetics (Neurobiology) – the condition may run in the family 
  • Environment – Research suggests that lead exposure is a risk factor in developing ADHD. Other environmental problems may also play a role, although the exact conditions are not yet established. 
  • Development – Mental problems may have occurred during a child’s development stage.  

The lack of resources also plays a big role and failure to diagnose and treat ADHD immediately can worsen the condition.   

What Are the Common Treatments for ADHD? 

A misconception is that all adults with ADHD are hyperactive because they are overstimulated. It is true for some, but not for all, which is why medications are prescribed after assessment. The first-line medications used for treating ADHD are the stimulant brands like Strattera and Wellbutrin, but stimulants are also usually prescribed.  

A lot of ADHD patients are actually “understimulated” or underactive. Because they lack the stimulus, they fall behind in their activities. Some struggle to keep up with the daily tasks at work or home and they find themselves rambling, pressured, and stressed. Taking stimulants increases the blood flow to the pre-frontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, planning, and organizing. Stimulants will serve as a “lightswitch” enabling them to perform executive functions.

Treatment with Medication 

ADHD is a non-curable but manageable disorder. However, aside from non-medical interventions, prescription medications can help manage its symptoms. There are two types of medicines used for medical ADHD treatment: stimulants and non-simulants. 

CNS (Central Nervous System) Stimulants  

Your doctor may recommend either type of medication depending on your symptoms or whether you have other existing medical conditions. Initially, doctors prescribe stimulants. Stimulants increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine, the brain chemicals responsible for sleep regulation, better stress response, and happy mood. People with ADHD experience calmness when taking these meds, which include: 

  • Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta)  
  • Dextromethylphenidate (Focalin)  
  • Dextromethamphetamine (Desoxyn)  
  • Amphetamine-based stimulants (Dexedrine, Adderall, Dextrostat) 

These medications usually address the hyperactivity and impulsiveness of the patient, but irritability may manifest once they start wearing off. Among the other side effects are: 

  • Nervousness 
  • Stomachaches 
  • Headaches and dizziness 
  • Sleep problems 
  • Decreased appetite 
  • Weight loss 
  • Increased blood pressure 
  • Moodiness and irritability 

The side effects may be off-putting but around 70% of individuals with ADHD show improved focus and develop better relationships.  

Non-Stimulant Medications 

Doctors may prescribe non-stimulants when stimulants don’t work or if you have co-existing disorders like Tourette Syndrome or bipolar disorder. Non-stimulants are also recommended for patients with a history of substance abuse or certain heart conditions.  

The following are the common non-stimulant medicines: 

  • Strattera  
  • Wellbutrin 
  • TCAs (Tricyclic antidepressants) 
  • Effexor 
  • Qelbree 

Strattera is the most-prescribed ADHD medicine in both children and adults because it has fewer side effects compared to TCAs. Non-stimulant medicines may have side effects similar to stimulants but with less intensity.   

Treatment without Medication or In-Addition to Medication 

Medication is not the only answer to ADHD. Many studies have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial treatments as well, such as:  

  • Behavioral management 
  • Peer-based interventions 
  • Psychotherapy 
  • Physiological interventions 
  • Mind-body interventions 
  • Dietary interventions 

These non-medical treatments can be done with or without the aid of medication depending on how the patient responds. During treatment, your ADHD specialist in San Diego should assess your progress and determine whether you can ditch the drug or continue with your routine. 

How Do I Know If the ADHD Treatment Is Working? 

Some signs can help you determine whether the treatment is working for you: 

  • Improved ability to focus 
  • Having a more calm and relaxed feeling 
  • Normalized sleep hours 
  • Going to bed and waking up at the same time 
  • Getting things done 
  • Better mood especially after meditation 
  • Increased intuition, creativity, and improved problem-solving skills 
  • More resilient and responds better to stressful conditions 

Basically, it becomes evident that the treatment is working when the quality of life improves. You will find that you complain less about the things that used to annoy you and you become more effective at home or work.  

Why Do You Need an ADHD Specialist Near You to Manage Your Treatment of ADHD? Why You Shouldn’t Self-Manage

ADHD has no cure but a wide range of medical and non-medical approaches can help you manage your symptoms. For one thing, you need a doctor to assess your condition and prescribe you the right medications. But does their job end there? Can you self-manage your ADHD symptoms without an ADHD specialist near you or a holistic psychiatrist regularly checking your progress? 

Living with ADHD without a psychiatric care provider is like sailing a boat without a mainsail and a jib. Either your movement is slow and without direction or you get stuck in the middle of the ocean.  When you decide to forego medical consultation, you are opening yourself up to a series of failures.  

There are many ways that a psychiatric care provider or an ADHD specialist near you can help you. These are professionals who are trained to accurately diagnose and treat mental health conditions according to your symptoms.  

We at Peak Wellness affirm that each condition is unique. Psychiatrists base their treatment strategies based on their assessment. They can recommend a set of medical and non-medical interventions suited for your symptoms and lifestyle.     

Also, without an ADHD specialist to oversee your treatment:  

  • It would be hard to track your progress 
  • Your progress may be short-term and you go back to square one 
  • Your approach may be ineffective 
  • You won’t know if you have an underlying condition that needs to be addressed too.

How can I find a good ADHD specialist near me? 

You may be asking: “Are there ADHD specialists near me in San Diego?” And there is one for sure that can take care of all your ADHD treatment needs. It would be best to have an initial assessment, but be sure to choose an ADHD specialist in San Diego who will spend quality time getting the necessary information. A thorough evaluation will help your psychiatric care provider know how severe your symptoms are, if you have a co-existing disorder, what medication and other treatment options are right for you.  

Peak Wellness Psychiatry’s premier team of psychiatric care providers is dedicated to helping patients cope with the challenges of having ADHD. We conduct in-depth analyses to fully comprehend your condition. And based on our findings, we recommend the most suitable medical and non-medical approach to help you lead a normal and productive life. We also specialize in holistic treatments that promise a positive and long-term impact on your well-being.  

If you think you have ADHD, you can visit with our San Diego practioners where an ADHD specialist near you will take care of your unique needs.  Contact us through our website or give us a call at 619-771-0083, ext. 2. 

Medical Disclaimer

This website does not provide medical nor psychiatric advice. The information, including, but not limited to test, graphics, images, videos, and other materials contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical and psychiatric advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the medical and psychiatric advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regime. Never disregard professional medical and psychiatric advice or delay in seeking healthcare, because of something you have read on this website. NP’s in this practice work with collaborating psychiatrists.