Personal Relationships - A Christian Counseling Center

ADHD (ADD) involves inattention (short attention span and being easily distracted), hyperactivity (being overly active) and impulsivity (doing things without considering the consequences). Some people with ADHD suffer from all three of these problems, while others only have inattention or hyperactivity. The number of people diagnosed with ADHD (4% of the population) has increased dramatically over the last 15 years. However, ADHD is often over-diagnosed by physicians or clinicians, who mistake a child’s high energy level for hyperactivity or who mistake a lack of motivation in school for inattention. Dr. Lowery will help you determine whether you or your child truly has ADHD or just symptoms of it, and he will help you resolve whatever symptoms are present.

When hyperactivity is not present, ADHD is less obvious. ADHD may be suggested by poor grades or poor work performance (due to poor focus and being unorganized), being unpopular with peers (due to failing to recognize social cues, such as someone being bothered by one's behavior), and poor self-esteem (due to peer rejection).

Many normal children merely have symptoms of ADHD, as opposed to a full blown medical condition that requires medication to get better. Therefore, it is important that you or your child receive a thorough examination by a well-qualified professional to determine the extent to which ADHD is present and whether or not medication is necessary. Dr. Lowery works with several physicians who prescribe medication for ADHD, and he works with a psychiatrist in our office, Dr. Joshua Becerra, who will begin taking new patients beginning March 31, 2008.

A careful assessment of ADHD requires in-depth clinical interviews, testing, and gathering information from others, such as parents and teachers. Dr. Lowery examines the “big picture” and determines what factors are creating or contributing to the symptoms of ADHD, including: learning disabilities, intellectual limitations, anxiety or depression, parenting style, and academic or work environment.

Medications, while effective, can have unwanted side effects and are unable to provide a person with ADHD all he or she needs to thrive. If medication is likely to be beneficial, Dr. Lowery will help you make a responsible choice. However, behavioral interventions should always be part of the treatment of ADHD and may eliminate or at least reduce the need for medication. Behavioral interventions include parent counseling, a behavioral modification plan, exercise, organizational skill development, discipline, and positive reinforcement.

If Dr. Lowery (or another psychologist) makes a diagnosis of ADHD, accomodations can be made at school (including college), such as having your child sit in the front of the class (perhaps close to a good student), extending time for tests, and providing a testing environment with fewer distractions (like testing away from other students). He can also help people with ADHD create detailed, routine schedules and systematic ways to prepare for bed and the next day of work or school.

Contact Dr. Lowery today, to help you and your family understand and greatly improve the symptoms of ADHD.



Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD) Dan Lowery, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist, is our ADHD specialist. ADHD (ADD) involves inattention (short attention span and being easily distracted), hyperactivity (being overly active) and impulsivity (doing things without considering the consequences). Some people with ADHD suffer from all three of these problems, while others only have inattention or hyperactivity. The number of people diagnosed with ADHD (4% of the population) has increased dramatically over the last 15 years. However, ADHD is often over-diagnosed by physicians or clinicians, who mistake a child’s high energy level for hyperactivity or who mistake a lack of motivation in school for inattention. Dr. Lowery will help you determine whether you or your child truly has ADHD or just symptoms of it, and he will help you resolve whatever symptoms are present. Symptoms of ADHD (ADD) include: * Failing to pay close attention to details * Making careless mistakes * Having difficulty sustaining attention in tasks * Not seeming to listen when spoken to directly * Often losing things * Being forgetful * Being disorganized * Being overly active * Often interrupting others * Having trouble waiting for one's turn When hyperactivity is not present, ADHD is less obvious. ADHD may be suggested by poor grades or poor work performance (due to poor focus and being unorganized), being unpopular with peers (due to failing to recognize social cues, such as someone being bothered by one's behavior), and poor self-esteem (due to peer rejection). Many normal children merely have symptoms of ADHD, as opposed to a full blown medical condition that requires medication to get better. Therefore, it is important that you or your child receive a thorough examination by a well-qualified professional to determine the extent to which ADHD is present and whether or not medication is necessary. Dr. Lowery works with several physicians who prescribe medication for ADHD, and he works with a psychiatrist in our office, Dr. Joshua Becerra, who will begin taking new patients beginning March 31, 2008. A careful assessment of ADHD requires in-depth clinical interviews, testing, and gathering information from others, such as parents and teachers. Dr. Lowery examines the “big picture” and determines what factors are creating or contributing to the symptoms of ADHD, including: learning disabilities, intellectual limitations, anxiety or depression, parenting style, and academic or work environment. Medications, while effective, can have unwanted side effects and are unable to provide a person with ADHD all he or she needs to thrive. If medication is likely to be beneficial, Dr. Lowery will help you make a responsible choice. However, behavioral interventions should always be part of the treatment of ADHD and may eliminate or at least reduce the need for medication. Behavioral interventions include parent counseling, a behavioral modification plan, exercise, organizational skill development, discipline, and positive reinforcement. If Dr. Lowery (or another psychologist) makes a diagnosis of ADHD, accomodations can be made at school (including college), such as having your child sit in the front of the class (perhaps close to a good student), extending time for tests, and providing a testing environment with fewer distractions (like testing away from other students). He can also help people with ADHD create detailed, routine schedules and systematic ways to prepare for bed and the next day of work or school. Contact Dr. Lowery today, to help you and your family understand and greatly improve the symptoms of ADHD.