Sensational Healing and ADHD
Our team is experienced in the assessment and relevant therapeutic support to assist children, teens and adults in their understanding and management of ADHD for leading happy and productive lives.
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What is ADHD?
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and can be characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. ADHD symptoms in adults will likely have been present from childhood and can be considered as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the number of symptoms and the extent of functional, social or occupational impairment.
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In Australia, ADHD affects 1 in 20 children. Whilst ADHD is one of the more commonly diagnosed mental health conditions, equally, it is one of the easier conditions to treat.
"ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting around 800,000 Australians, including approximately 281,000 children, aged 0-19 years." Australian Medical Association - 6/10/22
​Symptoms of ADHD
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Symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person and can change over time. However, some common symptoms include:
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Inattention: Difficulty paying attention, staying focused, and following instructions.
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Hyperactivity: Restlessness, fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, and excessive talking.
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Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, the inability to self-regulate and control thoughts, actions and emotions, difficulty waiting your turn, and interrupting others.
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Impact of ADHD
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ADHD can have a significant impact on a person's life, including their academic performance, relationships, and career. Children with ADHD may struggle in school, have difficulty getting along with peers, and be at increased risk for accidents and injuries. Adults with ADHD may have difficulty keeping a job, maintaining relationships, and managing their finances.
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Treatment & Education
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There is unfortunately no cure for ADHD, however there are highly effective treatment options available. These can typically encompass a blend of education, behavioural therapy, and medication. Education and behavioural therapy are crucial components, for parents, family, friends, and teachers playing vital roles in providing support and guidance to individuals with this condition. Special education services can also be beneficial for children with ADHD.
Seeking guidance from a doctor is essential if you suspect you, your child, or a loved one may have ADHD. Although managing this condition can at times present challenges, with the appropriate treatment and support, individuals with ADHD can lead fulfilling lives.
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ADHD therapy. Emphasising strengths and superpowers!
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A key part of ADHD therapy is identifying and emphasising the individual's strengths and superpowers. This is because people with ADHD often have unique and valuable talents and abilities. When these strengths are celebrated and nurtured, people with ADHD can feel more confident and empowered.
Some common strengths and superpowers of people with ADHD include:
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Creativity
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Energy
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Enthusiasm
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Hyperfocus
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Problem-solving skills
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Resilience
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Sense of humour
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Social skills
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Thinking outside the box
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Overcoming challenges
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In therapy, people with ADHD can learn to identify and appreciate their strengths. They can also learn how to use their strengths to overcome their challenges. For example, a person with ADHD who is highly creative may be able to use their creativity to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems. Or, a person with ADHD who is hyperfocused may be able to use their hyperfocus to complete tasks quickly and efficiently.
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Celebrating and nurturing strengths is an important part of ADHD therapy because it can help people with ADHD to:
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Feel more confident and empowered
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Develop a positive self-image
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Increase motivation
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Improve relationships
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Achieve their goals
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Remember, you are unique and valuable. Your strengths are what make you special. Celebrate your strengths and use them to achieve your goals.
Our holistic approach to assessing ADHD is as follows
You will have 2 to 3 sessions with a psychologist to:​
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Gather important information on your developmental, educational and social history, which will assist to highlight previous challenges.
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You will then participate in standardised testing, including questionnaires.
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We will coordinate a feedback session with you and our Psychologist where they will explain your results and discuss a personalised treatment plan
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Once the assessment process is complete, you will be given a comprehensive assessment report that you can take to your psychiatrist for a formal diagnosis.
We would then recommend a personalised treatment plan which may include;
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Sessions with our mental health team to help make sense of your diagnosis including greater understanding of your ADHD superpowers and how they can positively impact your life.
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Occupational therapy to build your skills around your executive function challenges, access technology that will help improve your organisational and time management skills, all personalised to your unique ADHD profile. Occupational Therapy can also assist in understanding any sensory processing differences you may have that can be common in ADHD.
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Costs:
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Assessment sessions $195 per session, up to 3 sessions
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Complete suite of assessments and comprehensive report $595
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Maximum cost: $1,180
What are some of the more common struggles associated with ADHD?
Executive Dysfunction
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Executive dysfunction is a set of cognitive skills that help us plan, organise, and manage our time and tasks and is a common symptom of ADHD. People with executive dysfunction may also have difficulty with tasks such as:
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Prioritising tasks
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Starting and completing tasks
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Managing time
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Staying focused on tasks
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Resisting distractions
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Making decisions
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Shifting attention between tasks
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Executive dysfunction can have a significant impact on the lives of people with ADHD and can lead to problems at work, school, and in relationships. People with executive dysfunction may also struggle with managing their finances, their homes, and their personal lives.
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Therapy can be helpful for learning how to develop coping mechanisms and strategies for managing executive dysfunction symptoms. Medication may also be helpful for improving attention, focus, and impulse control.
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If you are an adult with ADHD and you are struggling with these symptoms, please know that you are not alone. Sensational Healing is here to assist you manage your symptoms and live a fulfilling life.
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Working Memory
Working memory is the ability to hold and manipulate certain information in the mind for a short period of time. It is essential for many everyday tasks, such as following instructions, remembering phone numbers, and completing multi-step tasks. People with ADHD often struggle with working memory when it comes to losing track of conversations, making carless mistakes, difficulty concentrating on complex tasks or learning new information.
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Below are some tips for people that struggle with working memory:
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Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
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Use written reminders and checklists.
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Where possible, avoid distractions when working on important tasks.
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Take breaks when needed and ask for help
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Your therapist will also help to create strategies to better manage these symptoms.
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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is common, however not a clinically recognised symptom of ADHD. It is characterised by an extreme emotional sensitivity to rejection, criticism, or failure. People with RSD may experience intense feelings of shame, humiliation, and worthlessness when they can perceive that they have been rejected, even if the rejection is minor or imagined.
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RSD can have a significant impact on the lives of people with ADHD and can lead to social anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulty in relationships. People with RSD may be avoidant of new situations or challenges, and they may have difficulty taking risks or accepting feedback.
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There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment for RSD, however, there are a number of things that can help. Therapy can be helpful for learning how to manage RSD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms. Identifying the triggers and developing appropriate coping strategies, practicing self-compassion and acceptance as well as building a supportive network of family and friends can also assist with reducing anxiety and depression.
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