ADD and ADHD
I heard that there are alternatives to Ritalin. I'd like to know what they are.
In order to order to properly prescribe medication, a psychiatrist or neurologist who specializes in treatment of ADHD and in treatment of children or adults according to the situation must evaluate you.
For advice on the topic you can call the Attention and Concentration Clinic at Nitzan. In any case, the recommendations given are likely to include therapy in addition to medication, for example, emotional treatment, parent training, and more.
I am 43 years old. I discovered two years ago as a result of reading a book on the topic that I suffer from ADHD, and understandably, from learning difficulties. Is there something that can be done at my advanced age? My life isn't simple, and I'm still considered like someone who doesn't take advantage of her "potential". I very much want to behave differently. I want things to fit together, to flow in doing and creating in all of the aspects. It's difficult for me not being able to concentrate for an extended amount of time. What can be done?
In recent years there are lots of referrals of "adults", both because of the public consciousness to the issue and the many advertisements, and also because of parents who come to evaluations as a result of their children.
We strongly recommend for you to be evaluated, if only to receive some answers regarding your functioning currently and in the past. As part of the proper evaluation process, you can also receive advice and guidance regarding your daily life and treatment and support options.
Does ADHD cause outbursts and anger?
ADHD, mainly in younger ages, can appear as a combination of impulsivity and difficulty in regulating responses and these may cause outbursts and anger. However, each case must be evaluated separately by means of a comprehensive assessment. Combined evaluations, which include attention and concentration assessment, can be conducted at The Nitzan Association National Center.
I want to ask about disorders that appear like ADHD but are not congenital. They appear as a result of brain damage and they affect memory, and cause distractibility, a lack of concentration, and lack of organization skills. If they are neglected many years because of inappropriate treatment, what can be done? And what can be done with the emotional problems and low self-image that come with this?
This issue can also be treated and it's never to late. At the Nitzan Association, we offer treatment through coaching for adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD and help them cope with their difficulties and challenges in their lives. We recommend that you make an appointment for consultation at the Nitzan Association.
Not too long ago, I was in touch with you with a claim that my daughter is very smart and has already been sent twice for exams at enrichment centers (for gifted children). Nevertheless, I am suspicious that she has a slight attention disorder. You referred me to an evaluation by a psychiatrist, but I'm not interested in this, for many reasons. Is there another way to evaluate the attention disorder?
Attention disorders are a physiological phenomenon. The experts in defining it are professionals from the medical field such as neurologists and psychiatrists. Evidence and signs of this disorder can also be found in didactic and psychological assessments, but only a specialist doctor is qualified to diagnose if ADHD is present. For further details we'd be glad to meet with you and to discuss your daughter's specific case.
Can ADHD be diagnosed in a 23-year-old woman? What are the symptoms? Can this be checked at Nitzan?
ADHD can be diagnosed in different stages during life and can be treated. A psychiatrist or neurologist who specializes in ADHD among adults should be consulted. Dr. Mical Lustig is a psychiatrist specializing in ADHD at Nitzan. You are invited to schedule an appointment.
I am 16 years old and suffer from ADHD. I was found to have the problem a year ago. I was treated in the past with Concerta. The medicine didn't help me, so I began a different treatment with Ritalin, which also didn't help and even made the problem worse. The problem just gets worse with time. And since I don't take medicines that can help, I wanted to know what you recommend for me to do in order to improve my ability to concentrate, or how is it possible to work on learning disabilities and to improve them?
We understand your concerns about determining the dosage and type of medication. We recommend that you return again to your doctor. We would like to inform you that at the Nitzan Association National Center there is a multi-disciplinary center for diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities and ADHD. We can assist you within the framework of the center and to refer you to Dr. Tami Moses, a child psychiatrist who can advise you about this problem.
In addition, we recommend that you visit the Nitzan branch closet to your place of residence in order to check the possibility of receiving assistance in the learning area.
My 10.5-year-old younger sister has been taking a full dosage of Ritalin for one month already. Previously, she took a partial dosage of Ritalin for 11 months. She's known as a "dreamer" and the findings of the evaluation that was conducted suggested that Ritalin is what will bring the solutions to the problem.
From this a new problem was created, it's know that Ritalin can cause problems in mood swings, and since she's been taking it, she's very quick tempered and with very bad moods. She has outbursts, screams, cries, in a way that's not characteristic of a girl her age, and the issue has already began to be bothersome. Is there away to prevent situations like these? Or maybe this is something that goes away?
We are glad that you're concerned about your younger sister; certainly it's not easy for you either. We recommend returning to the doctor. There are a number of different medicines used to treat ADHD. Occasionally, it's necessary to try a number of medicines until finding the appropriate one. And as for you, it's a good idea to talk about the situation with your parents and think together how to cope. It's important to note that experts recommend seeking emotional assistance together with taking Ritalin. From our experience, Ritalin without psychological intervention or counseling is less effective.
I have a nephew who suffers from ADHD and behavioral disorder. It's very difficult for him with his studies and also for his parents to deal with his learning difficulties. He tends to have mood swings and when he's angry he slams doors at home and yells. I wanted to ask if there's here someone that can advise me how I can deal with the child and which methods can help him and his parents?
The situation you describe is a known situation for us from parents of children who are suffering from learning disabilities or ADHD. These parents need to learn about the nature of the disability in order to help their children cope with the difficulties. The Nitzan Association runs support groups for parents. In these groups, the parents learn effective coping methods with their children at home and at school. We recommend that you refer the parents to The Nitzan Association in order to check the programs offered for parents.
It's impossible not to react to people with ADHD who wear "fashion" from previous years. Has this disorder turned into an easy explanation for children who are a bit strange?
In recent years we have witnessed a significant rise in the number of children diagnosed as suffering from ADHD. This can be attributed both to consciousness and development in the field of testing and treatment.