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ADHD Counselling Calgary
ADHD Counselling And Therapy Options In Calgary
Virtuous Circle Counselling is your Calgary counselling and therapy resource for ADHD (Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder). Our focus is to provide excellent information, understanding, and treatment for those in need of ADHD counselling. Using the most up-to-date resources and research, we can help you explore your options when it comes to ADHD therapy in Calgary.
Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
ADD, (or Attention Deficit Disorder), and ADHD are neurological disorders under the same umbrella that affect the modulation and regulation of attention. ADD is an outdated term for ADHD and is characterized by a cluster of symptoms that include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The severity of these problems can vary tremendously from person to person and often fluctuate up and down. Symptoms can be very mild and may get better with age, or they can be so severe as to negatively affect an individual’s capacity to function in multiple aspects of their lives.
This condition has been recognized in both children and adults. While the exact cause of ADHD is not known, there is evidence that genetic vulnerability and exposure to environmental hazards may play a role; thus, a combination of genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental toxins or certain medications may result in the signs and symptoms of ADHD.
ADHD has one of the highest incidences of comorbidities with other learning disabilities, in particular, dyslexia. Individuals with this condition may experience difficulties in word recognition and or phonological processing of oral language that can significantly impede academic tasks. Their overall functioning may be adversely impacted by executive functioning deficits linked to ADHD.
ADHD is commonly misdiagnosed, as professionals use different labels such as hyperactivity, learning disabilities, impulse control disorders, and emotional disturbance. An appropriate diagnosis may be missed because individuals uniquely adapt themselves to the symptoms and side effects of the disorder.
Can A Calgary Counsellor Diagnose ADHD?
Deciding to seek help for ADHD isn’t an easy decision to make. It’s a condition which, until recently, was frequently misdiagnosed — or undiagnosed entirely — so many people suffered with the condition in silence, not knowing they had it. This inevitably led to great difficulties at home, in school and in work environments.
If you think you are suffering from the symptoms of ADHD a formal diagnosis can be made by the following health care professionals:
- A psychiatrist,
- A registered psychologist,
- A pediatrician or family doctor,
- A registered clinical social worker,
- A neurologist, or
- A qualified counsellor.
Virtuous Circle Counselling offers ADHD Assessments with a registered psychologist to confirm a diagnosis. Contact us to learn more about our assessment process.
What Are The Symptoms Of Adult ADHD?
Does it feel like you have a short attention span? Inattention and hyperactivity are hallmarks of ADHD in adults. Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is primarily a disorder of attention, where individuals find it difficult to maintain focus on a subject, or they act before thinking, and sometimes can’t hold still for very long (exhibiting restless behaviour). It should be noted that ADHD in women does not always look the same as it does in men, as women tend to suffer more from inattentiveness whereas men are more likely to display symptoms of hyperactivity. Children with ADHD may exhibit these same behaviours, but adults with an adult form of ADHD might be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed until later in life. Listed below are some of the common symptoms of ADHD in adults:
- Impulse control;
- Problems prioritizing tasks
- Disorganization
- Problems focusing
- Poor time management
- Restlessness
- Mood swings
- Easily frustrated
- Difficulty multitasking
- Poor stress management
- Difficulty with task follow through and completion
If you feel you or someone you love may be struggling with ADHD, you might want to reach out to your primary care physician or a psychologist. You will likely be asked questions related to your background and do an assessment of your current state. If your care provider suspects ADHD, they may recommend therapy or medication to help manage your symptoms.
Does Counselling In Calgary Help With ADHD?
ADHD is not a condition that people can just “get over.” The feelings and problems that result from ADHD are very real, can be crippling, and need to be dealt with in order to have a good quality of life. ADHD Counselling in Calgary can help you learn how to cope with ADHD and with the feelings that result from it while also encouraging you to think more positively about yourself. An understanding ADHD counsellor will help an individual work through their emotions and change negatives into positives. The aim would be for a client to develop the skills needed to begin managing their condition themselves so that future counselling sessions would not be required.
All in all, if you are looking for a support system to help you through the process of diagnosis, you may wish to consider Virtuous Circle Counselling. Counselling sessions can be helpful in teaching you what individualized treatment plan will best fit your needs, as well as providing you with a safe place to share your feelings and receive frank feedback on how ADHD affects your relationships and how you can best manage the behaviours it produces.
What Kind Of Therapy Is Best For ADHD In Adults And Children?
Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for adults and children with ADHD. Also called brain training, CBT aims to reshape a one’s thinking and perspective to reduce symptoms of ADHD, including:
- Inattentiveness,
- Hyperactivity, and
- Impulsivity.
Since ADHD impacts emotion regulation, impulse control, and other core components of the parent-adolescent relationship, family dynamics are also an integral part of CBT. Studies indicate that focusing on changing the parents’ negative behaviours and responses to their ADHD child can lead to longer-term benefits for both parties.
What Happens If You Leave ADHD Untreated?
When children with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder don’t receive proper medication and treatment, they are less able to control their impulses and pay attention. These conditions may cause problems at home and in the classroom. Children with untreated ADHD often have trouble making friends and participating in activities because of their impulsive behaviour and lack of focus.
It is well-documented that ADHD symptoms continue into adulthood for many individuals. However, the impairment experienced can vary from person-to-person, and brain factors explain part of what accounts for this variance. Yet despite how common adult ADHD is, many adults do not seek treatment for their symptoms. Untreated adult ADHD can lead to impairments in functioning including at work and home. Treatments for adult ADHD in Calgary are effective at improving quality of life. Virtuous Circle Counselling can be here for you when you’re ready to take your life back into your own hands, contact us today and speak with one of our mental health professionals.
FAQS
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often used interchangeably, but they are different conditions under the umbrella of ADHD. The primary difference between ADD and ADHD is that a patient with ADD (a more outdated term) may not demonstrate symptoms of hyperactivity.
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be very similar in many ways. But they are also often different — especially on the surface. However, these conditions are not one in the same because many people with ADHD aren’t on the autism spectrum, and vice versa. That’s why it’s important to go beyond the surface symptoms and get a full ASD vs. ADHD diagnosis from a psychologist or a doctor.
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that is typically characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention. Fluctuation in symptoms occurs, which can make it difficult to diagnose and manage.
Book Your Appointment Online
We are currently accepting new clients however being a good fit is everything in a therapeutic alliance. When you’re ready, please contact us for a free 30-minute phone consultation to see if we match your needs and goals.
Our Alberta Locations
WestMount Corporate Campus
4838 Richard Rd SW Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3E 6L1
Phone: (587) 856-8369
Crowfoot West Business Centre
600 Crowfoot Crescent NW Suite 340
Calgary, AB T3G 0B4
Phone: (403) 797-0660
North Campus
160 Quarry Park Blvd SE Suite 300
Calgary, AB T2C 3G3
Phone: (587) 782-4277
Our Edmonton Locations
ELM Business Park
9426 51 Ave NW Suite 201
Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6
Phone: (587) 741-2364
Our British Columbia Locations
Landmark 6
1631 Dickson Ave Suite 1100
Kelowna, BC V1Y 0B5
Phone: (778) 654-5396
Our Hours
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Saturday: 8am to 8pm
Our Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am to 8pm
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Sunday: 8am to 8pm
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We at Virtuous Circle Counselling acknowledge Moh’kinstsis, the lands where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, in what we currently call Calgary. We acknowledge that we are visitors on Moh’kinsstis and acknowledge the Blackfoot are those who named this area as Moh’kinsstis. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we recognize the ancestral territories, cultures, and oral practices of the Blackfoot people, the Îyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Dene people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.