Diagnose & Manage Your ADHD in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV

ADHD, short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a brain disorder that affects three to five percent of children in the US. ADHD can also be challenging as the children affected by the disorder grow into adults. 

There are three main types of ADHD:

  • Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive is characterized by fidgeting, interrupting, talking excessively, and difficulty staying in place or doing one thing for long periods of time. People with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may take risks and have more accidents than others. 
  • Predominantly inattentive makes it difficult to finish a task or follow instructions. People with predominantly inattentive ADHD may have problems following a conversation and are easily distracted. 
  • Combined ADHD involves attributes of both types.

The symptoms of ADHD can make things like concentrating and staying on task difficult. If someone you love is showing signs of ADHD in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, it’s important that they get the treatment or therapy they need in order to thrive. Find a Doctor at your nearest Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospital to learn more.

 

ADHD Symptoms & Causes

ADHD affects how you concentrate and react in social situations. The symptoms of ADHD appear in different ways for children and adults. In general, the signs and symptoms of ADHD can include:

  • Impulsivity such as risk-taking behavior and not being able to stay quiet
  • Distractibility such as losing track of conversations, losing objects, and forgetting instructions
  • Hyperactivity such as fidgeting and constant motion
  • Inattention such as daydreaming and the inability to stay on task and concentrate

Researchers are not sure what causes ADHD. Experts think genetic and environmental factors may play a role in one’s increased risk of ADHD. These factors may include:

  • Premature birth
  • Brain damage or injury
  • Low birth weight
  • Family history of ADHD
  • Exposure to cigarette smoke, toxins, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy

 

ADHD Treatment at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

There are different opinions on how best to treat ADHD. There is no cure for the disorder, but treatment may help control some of the symptoms. Treatment options include medications, behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy. 

Doctors prescribe two categories of medicines for ADHD: nonstimulants and stimulants. Nonstimulant drugs can take longer to start working than stimulants. These drugs will stimulate someone without ADHD, but they calm down people who have ADHD. They tend to act quickly. Disadvantages to stimulants include decreased appetite and weight loss, insomnia, and anxiety. 

When an ADHD diagnosis comes at a young age, an ADHD specialist can show parents and teachers strategies to help the child change behavior patterns that are interfering with the child’s daily life, social situations, and ability to learn. Older children and adults may benefit from psychotherapy (speaking with a counselor or therapist) to learn how to recognize and manage behavior.

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican doctors diagnose and treat ADHD in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV as part of our neurological care services.