Westport Family Counseling

Attention Deficit Disorder & ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a cluster of symptoms that include difficulty concentrating, short attention span, trouble with working memory (as opposed to long-term memory), an inability to complete tasks, and fidgetiness. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) shares these primary traits, and in addition, includes hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. These terms have become common jargon in school, and in the workplace, as well. Talk about the prevalence of these conditions has caused people to identify moments of forgetfulness or periods of distractibility and restlessness as “ADD.” However, ADD and ADHD are qualified by a cluster of symptoms over a certain period of time, and with a certain frequency or number of episodes. For this reason, it is particularly important to have a professional assessment. Having professional input can also help you understand if medication is necessary. Often times stimulants are over-prescribed and are not actually the best intervention. Psychotherapy is an effective means of reducing symptoms and understanding what has caused the symptoms to begin with.

Scroll to Top