When my friend’s son was in kindergarten years ago, she took him to a therapist who implied to my friend (before ever meeting her son) that he had Bipolar Disorder. She even gave my friend a book to read about Bipolar Disorder before the next session.

There are multiple things wrong with the entire process described above and I am not here to criticize another therapist; however, I share this to say that descriptions, labels, diagnoses…whatever you want to call them…are powerful.

My friend decided to take her son for a neuropsychological evaluation and found out that he had severe ADHD, as well as anxiety. He did NOT meet criteria for Bipolar Disorder. Today, he might be described as having Anxious ADD (see the practical blog post on this topic). Her son is now in college and has learned through medication and counseling how to manage his anxiety and focus in life. He is adjusted and successful and I look forward to watching him make his mark on the world when he graduates.

If you feel you have ADHD or any other mental health diagnoses, it is important that you see a skilled, trained and experienced clinician in order to help determine both your diagnosis and treatment. At times, your therapist may even refer you out for testing, so that you may return to them with a clear picture of what is going on in order to receive the best care.

Some classic symptoms of ADHD include:  impulsivity, distractibility, restlessness, talking out of turn, trouble focusing and difficulty staying organized. If you feel you may have ADHD or are struggling with any other mental health issue, we can help. Our trained therapists provide the support, warmth and expertise you need in order to learn and implement the skills that will help you succeed in life. Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced mental health counselors.