One of the most effective forms of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is counseling. Children suffering from this disorder are often labeled as difficult children, rude and impolite. These children often have difficulty in following instructions; this is not because they want to create problems or mischief. This is solely because they are unable to pay attention and remember what is being told to them. Another reason is that they are hyperactive and they have to be on the move constantly. They are restless and fidgety as a result of this disorder. They tend to move around constantly touching things of other people and playing with anything and everything around them. This is due to their impulsive tendency, which is another marked symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
If they’re hyperactive; they are often told they’re bad and punished for being disruptive. If they are too disorganized and unfocused to complete tasks, others may call them lazy. As a result of their neurobehavioral disorder they often face problems in forming friendships and maintaining friendships. They have a difficulty in participating in school activities. As a result they tend to be isolated. Constant punishments may make them feel frustrated. Many children affected by this disorder often suffer from a low self esteem. Facing the daily frustrations that can come with having a developmental disorder can make people fear that they are strange, abnormal, or stupid.
Children affected by this disorder often suffer from feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression. Both parents and their children may need special help to develop techniques for managing the patterns of behavior. In such cases, mental health professionals can counsel the child and the family, helping them to develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating to each other.
Counseling helps these individuals and the families of people affected by ADHD to understand that this is a developmental disorder. It helps the ADHD individuals to control their hyperactive and impulsive tendencies. In individual counseling, the psychologist helps children or adults with ADHD learn to feel better about themselves. They learn to recognize that having a disability does not reflect who they are as a person. The therapist can also help people with ADHD identify and build on their strengths, learn social and communication skills, and control their attention and aggression. The therapist can also resort to the use of cognitive behavior therapy to teach them coping skills. In group counseling, people learn that they are not alone in their frustration and that others want to help.
Another important treatment in coping with ADHD is exercise. Exercise is an instant mood buster. Physical activity immediately boosts the brain’s dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels—all of which affect focus and attention. Regular exercise helps to control the aggressive and hyperactive behavior to some extent. It is also useful in fighting the feelings of anxiety and depression.
There is no specific cure for ADHD. But individuals affected by ADHD can learn coping skills and their quality of life can be improved considerably.