Understanding ADHD Treatment Options for Children & Adults in California

ADHD Treatment Options for Children & Adults

Do you find yourself lost in meetings, juggling tasks at home, or leaving chores midway? Does your child get lost in thought and become detached in group activities? Or does he seem hyperactive, jumping between tasks and completing none?

Whatever the case, these could be more than just carelessness. 

Ignoring chronic inattentive behavior, mismanagement of time, and distracted, impulsive acts now can cost your mental health later. You must address these potential signs of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) today. As Integrative Behavioral Health and Medicine practitioners, we believe that ADHD treatment for children and adults in California is far more diverse today than it has ever been before. Today, we’ll see how.

What is ADHD— A Knowhow of ADHD in Children and Adults 

ADHD is a mental health condition that affects children through adulthood and is typically characterized by impulsive actions, inattentive behavior, and hyperactivity.

ADHD prevalence in the USA was recorded at 11.3% among children aged 5 to 17 years, with boys (14.5%) having a higher frequency than girls (8.0%). In 2023, 15.5 million U.S. adults had ADHD, with more than half of them being diagnosed only in adulthood. Almost one-third of the cohort were found not to receive any form of ADHD treatment, with 71.5% dependent on prescription drugs.

In children, ADHD presents with problems in behavior and conduct. It may be represented as indiscipline, unruly actions, stubbornness, learning disorders, anxiety, depression, etc. 

ADHD in adults looks different. Adults with ADHD may find it challenging to stay focused, finish tasks (especially if they’re not engaging), stay organized, manage impulses, and cope with restlessness or fidgeting.

When under high stress or responsibility-driven tasks, these difficulties impact daily routines, relationships, and maintaining healthy habits like regular sleep, exercise, and nutrition. They are thus more inclined to the risks of substance use, infections, or accidental injuries.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed—An Integrative Medicine Approach

ADHD diagnosis involves both medical exams and psychiatric analysis. As practitioners of Integrative Medicine, we propose to understand the root causes of the condition before planning an ADHD treatment. 

These include:

Comprehensive medical history, observations of symptoms, and their impact on quality of life. 

We first rule out other issues like sleep problems, hearing or vision troubles, or medical conditions that might cause similar symptoms. 

We then follow the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) guidelines as published by the American Psychiatric Association:

• The condition must start before age 12, last at least six months, and significantly affect school, work, or social life. 

• Symptoms include trouble focusing, being overly active, or acting on impulse, and they can’t be explained by another health issue.

Psychological and psychiatric examination:

This involves detailed assessments using questionnaires and by exploring personal history. They check for other conditions, like learning difficulties, that might look like ADHD but need different treatment.

Rating scales:

There are many rating scales, like -

• The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale, as filled out by a child's parents.

• The Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale is for parents, teachers, caregivers, or the person who might have ADHD.

• The ADHD Rating Scale-5 is used to test kids and teens.

• The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is for older people who want to get a diagnosis.

ADHD Treatment Paths in Integrative Behavioral Health and Medicine

ADHD treatment in Integrative Medicine distinctly differs in kids and adults. We’ll see how -

ADHD treatment in children focuses on the early onset symptoms and signs that set the stage for the progression of ADHD into adulthood. The brain is still developing, and memories are building—so now is the right time. 

Nutritional deficiency: This is critical to neurological development. Missing key nutrients like magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids that are required in brain growth and chemical and hormone development of the nervous system must be supplemented.

Gut health: Gut, as we know, is the seat of health. Science has accepted the gut-brain axis, calling the gut the second brain of the body. Needless to say, to tackle ADHD in children, gut health should be your focus. This involves less junk and processed foods, a daily dose of probiotics, and healthy, homemade, balanced meals.

Toxins: Kids are more prone to toxicities from heavy metals, BPA, and other outdoor toxins that can make ADHD symptoms worse. It's amazing how quickly attention and behavior can get better after testing for and dealing with these exposures.

ADHD treatment for adults is a lot of the above measures and more.

It is challenging for an adult to start ADHD treatment who has been immersed and entangled in the web of ADHD symptoms for years since childhood. The long years of hyperactive behavior, restlessness, and burnout—or they have become too normal to disrupt. Agree?

Therapy and counseling are key: From group therapies to 1:1s, they can help adults realize their signs and symptoms, break the routines of disorganized lifestyles, and restart with new energy. This may also involve life coaches, career guides, and strategic sessions on organizational skills, time management, and building schedules. 

Mindfulness: From meditation and yoga to daily routines, mindfulness while working, eating, socializing, and relaxing can help adults take charge of their ADHD.

Exercise and sleep hygiene: ADHD is one of the major causes of poor sleep routines and hesitation to adhere to workout routines. Our experts in Integrative Behavioral Health and Medicine will handhold you in building and monitoring sleep times, sleep hours, and exercise/physical activity routines. 

When combined with nutritional supplements, gut health practices, and toxicity reversals can help prepare a holistic plan for ADHD treatment in adults. 

Why is the Holistic Approach Vital—The Benefits of Collaborative Care Models for ADHD in the USA

Behavioral health services are now part of a patient's 'medical home' in the United States with collaborative care models. This is because of changes in healthcare that have made it easier for people to get, stay engaged in, and get better care in cases like ADHD.

A study reviewed six collaborative care models that combine medical and behavioral health services to treat ADHD in children and adolescents within primary care settings. These models, which involve collaboration between healthcare professionals, have improved access to care, treatment outcomes, and patient satisfaction compared to traditional care. 

The findings suggested that such integrated approaches are effective and adaptable for clinics aiming to provide more coordinated ADHD management.

Collaborative care models ensure holistic care that helps identify the root causes of ADHD, develop personalized treatment plans, and follow a stepwise ADHD treatment. 

Takeaways

ADHD is a unique condition that starts early and silently progresses to adulthood if not diagnosed or treated on time. It is shocking how ADHD is often overlooked as an undisciplined action in kids and remains unresolved for years, resulting in an adult who is often a mess in life. 

Today, with innovative scientific therapies available, like collaborative care models and a significant shift to complementary healthcare practices, it is possible to nab ADHD when it occurs. 

We support that and are eager to solve it.

ADHD treatment in children distinctly differs from ADHD treatment in adults. Thus, we as Integrative Behavioral Health and Medicine practitioners envision easy access and holistic care for ADHD. If you or your child shows signs and symptoms that tick any of the checklist signs of ADHD, we are looking forward to connecting with you and supporting you in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Contact our team of experienced integrative health psychiatrists, and feel free to schedule an appointment or call us at +1 866-362-4246 to learn more.