ADHD Doctors Q&A

Short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, this condition often has symptoms such as hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. Some doctors or sources will use the older term ADD or attention deficit disorder. These terms are interchangeable and do not denote any difference between the two. 

Yes, adults and children can both have ADHD. However, this condition always presents symptoms in childhood, although it is not always diagnosed in children. Adults with undiagnosed ADHD often have problems maintaining a job, setting goals, managing their own time, and staying organized. 

ADHD can be diagnosed by a variety of people, including:

• Neurologist
• Family Doctor
• Psychiatrist
• Social Worker
• Pediatrician
• Master Level Counselor
• Nurse Practitioner
• Psychologist

However, the doctors at Success Health System are ideal for treating you for ADHD. While family doctors or pediatricians may have a passing knowledge about this condition, our providers have years of experience in treating ADHD. Our board-certified doctors are up to date with the latest treatment trends and can craft a successful treatment plan to address your or a family member’s ADHD symptoms so they can be successful in life.

There are a variety of symptoms we look for in diagnosing ADHD. With children, we look at the child as a whole as some symptoms appear naturally in every child as they develop. 

In children, the inability to stay focused on one activity, getting bored before finishing a task, following instructions, or being easily distracted when listening are often symptoms we see. We would also check to see how often they are fidgeting or squirming. Granted, a squirming child is very natural in most children, but our providers will look to see if this is significantly affecting their ability to complete tasks like eating or sitting for a story.

Those with ADHD often talk excessively and display signs of impulsiveness. In some cases, outbursts, impatience, and inserting themselves into conversations unprompted or uninvited are signs of ADHD. Most will also refuse to wait their turn and interrupt others while talking. 

Many ADHD symptoms are found in toddlers and are a natural part of their development. It takes a skilled professional, such as our providers, to take all of these factors into consideration before deciding. 

A full physical examination must be had to diagnose ADHD. Our doctors will check for any hearing or vision issues. They will also review a patient’s complete medical history to look for any conditions that could be affecting behavior and mimic symptoms of ADHD. 

Some of the things that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD to include:

• Lead toxicity
• Thyroid problems
• Depression
• Sleep problems
• Death in the family
• Recent major life changes
• Divorce
• Undetected seizures
• Anxiety
• Recent move

Our doctors use guidelines provided by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–V). An evaluation is usually warranted if you are showing signs of behavioral issues, trouble forming relationships with others, or difficulty in academics. Symptoms must be present for at least six months and in at least two different environments for our doctors to conduct an evaluation. 

Success Health System is located in Creve Coeur MO, St. Louis MO, Independence MO, Columbia MO, and Olathe KS. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and by appointment only on Saturday and Sunday. Do you have questions about ADHD, or would you like to make an appointment? Call our friendly staff today. We serve patients from Creve Coeur MO, St. Louis MO, Independence MO, Olathe KS, Columbia MO, Craig KS, Spring Hill KS, Pierpont MO, Kirkwood MO, Kansas City MO, River Bend MO & Beyond!