5 Summer Vacation Packing Tips for Teens and Adults with ADHD
Whether you’re a parent with ADHD in charge of packing for a family vacation, or you’re a teen packing for a camping trip with friends, there’s one undeniable truth: packing can be a struggle for individuals with ADHD.
Our multidisciplinary team knows that skills that require planning — one of the executive function skills — can be tricky, but we also know that like all skills, your planning skills can be strengthened.
In this blog, we take a look at the reasons why packing is so troublesome and what tips can make packing with ADHD so much easier.
3 Reasons Packing is Hard for Teens and Adults with ADHD
1. Packing Requires Planning
Planning is essential when it comes to packing, yet planning can be difficult for this with ADHD. Planning requires you to:
- Think about where you’re going and what specific activities you’ll be doing
- Consider any dress code requirements you’ll encounter
- Consider the weather at your destination
Even if you don’t enjoy planning, there are some steps you can take to make this part of vacationing more tolerable.
2. Packing Requires Decision-Making
Making decisions is hard for ADHD adults, and packing for a vacation is nothing more than making one decision after another.
- Should you bring one sweater or two?
- How many back-up pairs of socks do you need?
- Will the hotel have shampoo? Will that be enough?
- What if it rains? Do you really need a raincoat?
- Did I pack enough?
- What if my good blouse gets stained?
- If I bring these pants, I need to pack my other shoes, right?
Not only is this overwhelming, but too many decisions all at once can lead to decision fatigue.
3. Packing Requires Organization
It’s no secret that organization is one of the biggest struggles for adults and teens with ADHD. Lack of organization can lead to many problems, including wrinkled clothes, misplaced train tickets, and so.much.stress.
4 Travel Packing Tips to Make Packing with ADHD Easier
The good news is that these four tips can address all of the things you find so overwhelming with packing.
1. Make a list.
Before you even open your suitcase, make a list of everything you want to pack. Include a category for:
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Toiletries, such as contacts, contact solution, soap, sunscreen, etc.
- Electronic gear, including cameras, phones, tablets, and their chargers
- Snacks
- Tickets, reservation information, etc.
Need help starting a packing list? Download a Free Packing List here Download
2. Plan outfits by the day.
Clothing can be an overwhelming part of the packing process. Did you pack too much? Not enough? The wrong attire all together?
Once you print out your packing list, plan your outfits by day. It might look something like this:
Saturday
- Travel day
- Joggers, sweatshirt, sneakers
Sunday
- Brunch in the morning: black wrap dress, wedge heels, white sweater
- Scuba tour in afternoon: swimsuit, sarong, flip flops
Monday
- Hiking in the morning: green hiking shorts, REI shirt, wool socks, hiking boots, sweatband, hiking backpack, water bottle, first aid kit
- Evening wine tasting: pink sundress, wedge heels, white sweater
Once you start organizing your list this way, you’ll quickly identify if you’ve packed the right clothes for your itinerary — and if you can repeat any outfits or shoes.
3. Organize Your Suitcase
Once you’ve identified what clothes you need, pack your clothes in your suitcase. For some, using packing cubes helps organize your suitcase. Using packing cubes (or any other small pouch that holds only one day’s worth of clothes) makes it easier to search for what you need in your suitcase.
4. Pack Light
More stuff means more to keep track of, and that can be overwhelming. Within reason, packing as light as possible can reduce some of those overwhelming feelings. For example, choose a pair of shoes to pack that matches the majority of your outfits. This can help you reduce the number of shoes you bring.
Other tips to pack light:
- Bring e-books instead of physical books
- Use paperless tickets when possible
5. Start Early
Nothing adds to packing stress like waiting until the last minute. Start packing with plenty of time to spare. Write your list at least a week in advance so you have plenty of time to make sure everything you need to clean and ready. Or, if not, this gives you plenty of time to run out for last-minute supplies.
If you’re packing for something bigger than a vacation — such as a big move to college — start a few weeks in advance.
Need More Help with Planning and Organizing?
Planning and organizing are essential when you’re packing for a vacation, but that’s not the only scenario where you rely on these skills. You also need planning and organization to:
- Plan projects at work
- Organize household events, chores, and family schedules
- Organize your workload in college
- Determine order of priority for your to-do list
Comprehensive ADHD treatment, including therapy and coaching, helps you strengthen this skillset. Our multidisciplinary team can help you learn to THRIVE with tips just like this — packing tips for ADHD is just the start!
You can also request an appointment here.
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Creating a Summer Schedule for Your Child with ADHD + Free Printable Schedule
We’re still in the early days of Spring, but Summer will be here before we know it. And that means a big change in schedule and routines for kids.
The structure of the school year tends to fade into lazy summer days. And while some kids participate in programs, it’s important to still create a sense of structure and routine, especially for kids with ADHD. That’s become daily routine and structure are oh-so-important for helping kids with ADHD.
Below, our team of ADHD experts help shed light on creative ways to add structure to summer days.
Daily Schedules Matter … Even in Summer
During the school year, your child has a lot of routines. This includes:
- Regular bedtime routines
- Wake-up routines to get ready for school on time
- Meal times (set schedules for eating at school, snack time, etc.)
As we shift closer to summer, it’s important to not forgo all sense of schedules. Days tend to operate more smoothly when there is a schedule (even a flexible one) in place. Schedules are important because they help provide a sense of predictability for your child.
10 Ideas for Your Child’s Summer Schedule
Schedules don’t have to be rigid. Even just having a general sense of what’s happening is helpful for children. Here are 10 ideas to keep your summer schedule filled with fun and educational activities.
- Add lots of physical activities into your summer plans. Exercise is also beneficial for children (and adults) with ADHD. Examples include outdoor play (e.g, tag or catch in the backyard counts too!), trips to the pool (for fun or for swim lessons), bike riding, or even walking the dog around the block.
- Add plenty of arts and crafts time. (You can get some ideas here.)
- Talk with your child about what sports she or he’s interested in and explore options in your town. YMCAs have plenty of options, but you can also explore the Youth Leagues on the LouisvilleKY.gov site.
- Create a bucket list and try to fit in as many list items as possible. Examples include learning to skateboard or visiting the beach.
- Schedule in unstructured, imaginative play. Younger kids may like to play pretend, while older kids may read, listen to music, or simply enjoy the quiet downtime.
- To keep academic skills sharp over the summer, schedule in daily reading times and or study skills activities. Examples include summer bridge work, or review workbooks that cover the material your child studied throughout the year. This type of bridge work doesn’t have to be intense. You can also find interest-based classes on Outschool. For instance, if your child loves Mario or super heroes, you can find writing courses that sharpen writing skills while focusing on your child’s favorite interests. This is especially great for kids with ADHD who focus best on topics that interest them.
- Plan regular weekly trips to the library. Not only can you stock up on books, but many libraries also host weekly arts and crafts too. This is a no-pressure fun bonding activity.
- Use a large calendar to keep track of the family’s activities. This can be great for kids who need to see a visual calendar to help manage their time. Keep the calendar in a visual place, such as the kitchen. Include any vacations, appointments, work schedules (for older teens), and any sports activities.
- Review your family’s schedule the night before.
- Stay consistent with bedtime. Maybe summer bedtime isn’t as early as during the school year, but it’s still important to stay on a consistent sleep schedule.
Download Your Own Schedule for Summer
Need a blank calendar or schedule? We’ve got you covered! Download this FREE RESOURCE and use it to keep some structure in your summer.
Tip: You don’t have to schedule every second of the day. Try to create a summer routine that is predictable, yet still has plenty of flexibility when needed.
Talk to Us about ADHD Treatment
Even if you have the perfect summer schedule, your child can still benefit from other ADHD treatments, including therapy, coaching, and, in some cases, medication. Our multidisciplinary team can help your child learn to THRIVE.
To make an appointment, call us at 502-907-5908. You can also request an appointment here.
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The Signs of Bullying and What Parents Need to Know
Bullying and ADHD – is there a connection? According to a study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, children with ADHD were 3.7 times more likely to be classified as victims of bullying, compared to their peers who were not diagnosed with ADHD.
As a parent of a child with ADHD, this can be alarming. However, it’s important to learn the signs of bullying so you can quickly spot a problem.
Types of Bullying
Signs of Bullying in Kids
While some children may come out and tell you there is a problem, many children struggle to talk about it. Common warning signs that a child is being bullied include:
Emotional signs of bullying
- Changes in your child’s sleeping or eating patterns
- Frequent tears
- Bouts of anger
- Mood swings
- Complains of stomach aches in the morning (and asks to skip school)
- Becomes withdrawn
- Becomes aggressive
- Easily frustrated or angry with siblings
You may also find that your child seems withdrawn and isn’t opening up easily. He or she may not want to talk about what is bothering him or her.
Physical signs of bullying
- Has unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, or scratches)
- Comes home with missing or damaged belongings
- Comes home hungry or without any lunch money
Other signs of bullying
- Refuses to go to school
- Changes their route to school, if walking
- Frightened of walking to school or taking the bus
- Academic performance begins to decline
Effects of Bullying and What Parents Need to Know
What to Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied
Although tempting, it’s best not to confront your child’s bully (or their parents directly). Check with your school’s bully policy. The Stomp Out Bullying non-profit organization reccomends:
- To contact law enforcement immediately if your child has been physically threatened
- To check your school’s anti-bullying policy
- To check your state’s anti-bullying legislation (Here are Kentucky laws.)
Dealing with the Emotional Effects of Bullying
Even long after the bullying has been addressed by the school or websites (or wherever the bullying was taking place), the hurts don’t fade easily. You may also find that your child benefits from therapy after bullying. Therapy can your child navigate through the complex emotions of anger, anxiety, sadness, associated with the psychological hurts of bullying.
If you need to schedule a therapy session, we’ll just a call or click away.
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10 Study Tips for Children and Teens with ADHD
Whether your children are returning to in-person learning, e-learning, homeschooling, or a hybrid combination, there’s one thing that remains constant: homework. And study tips for ADHD can make all the difference for children and teens with ADHD.
In this article, we’ll cover 10 study tips for ADHD to make your child’s study time and homework time more productive — and more peaceful.
1. Create a “Study Only” Space
Distractions are one of the biggest road blocks when it comes to homework. Toys, TV, and even siblings who want to play can hinder study time. Children with ADHD are more likely to be distracted by their surroundings. The key is to create a “study only” space to help limit distractions. Trying to study in the family room while a sibling is playing or watching TV can be a big temptation.
Instead, create a comfortable place where your child can work with few distractions. Use this as a quiet place to work far away from noise and movement. Your child can clear his or her mind and focus on the tasks at hand.
Study spaces can include a quiet living room, the dining room table, or even the den (as long as the TV is off!).
Don’t do homework in the bedroom. The bedroom is a place for sleep and relaxation — not school work and stress.
Study Tip
2. Make a Study/Homework Schedule
Most children thrive with consistency. And for children with ADHD, it’s even more essential to have a consistent routine. Adding a dedicated study/homework time to your child’s after school schedule helps to start his or her focus. Set a time each day for your child to study, whether he’s e-learning, in-person learning, or homeschooling. This is one of the best study tips for ADHD!
3. Add Breaks to Your Schedule
ADHD can make it hard to focus, especially if your child is studying a subject that’s not-so-interesting to him. Breaks are a must to help maintain focus and avoid burnout. Add a break time and encourage your child to eat a snack or even go for a quick walk with you. This quick little break allows the mind reset! Bonus: if you choose to move around for the break, it will help burn off extra energy.
4. Fuel Up
We just covered the importance of adding a break to a long study session. Now we’re going to discuss the importance of starting the study session already fueled up and ready to go. If your child is hungry, he’s less likely to have a good study session. Healthy, nutrient-dense snacks are the best brain fuel.
Choose healthy foods that won’t crash his or her blood sugar. Certified Health Coach Pam Valdes suggests, “A combo of protein and complex carb (fiber-rich) snacks fuel energy and help stabilize blood sugar levels. For this reason, fruit and nut combinations work really well, such as apple & peanut butter, grapes & pecans, orange & almonds, pear & walnuts.”
5. Organize the Homework Station
Study tip #5 is all about organization. When you create a homework station for your child, organization is key to his or her success. Organize school supplies with:
- Colored folders or binders
- Colored notebooks or dividers
- Colorful labels
- Pencil case or pencil/pen caddy
However you decide to organize the station, it’s important that everything has a proper place. When everything — whether that’s a pencil or a notebook — has a place, your child spends more time studying and less time looking for lost pencils or books. This includes having a spot to hang up your child’s backpack.
6. Encourage and Support Your Child
A positive, supportive environment is a crucial ingredient to your child’s study area. Encourage your child to always try his or her best, and this is one study tip that can go far. When your child feels encouraged and supported, he’s more likely to see study time as a positive thing. If your child struggles, it’s okay to offer age appropriate help. Encourage your child look at challenges in a positive light to keep him or her motivated and develop a growth mindset.
Here are eight phrases that you can use to inspire and encourage your child:
- I can see you’re really trying!
- Keep on trying!
- You almost got it!
- I can see you tried hard.
- I appreciate your hard work on this project.
- How do you feel about that?
- I’m glad you enjoy learning!
- I’ll bet you knew you could do it!
If your child is struggling, don’t hesitate to stay in contact with your child’s teacher. When you know what’s going on in the classroom, it’s easy to spot red flags when they arise.
7. Understand Your Child’s Learning Style
Did you know that there are several different learning styles? Auditory, visual, or even kinesthetic — they are all valid and common ways of learning. Change studying habits to fit his or her learning style. For example, if your child is a kinesthetic learner, you can encourage the use of models or physical touch. You might also encourage your child to write down the facts he is trying to memorize. Use a finger to physically touch the items he is counting. According to Houghton College, movement can also help increase focus and attention while studying. This includes:
- Chewing gum
- Tapping a pencil
- Pacing (perhaps while you orally quiz your child on their test materials)
On the other hand, a visual learner may do better reading his or her own notes from class rather than an oral review.
The bottom line: Every child learns differently. Studying in a way that works for him or her can help improve both understanding and retention.
8. Know When It’s Time to End a Study Session
Children with ADHD can become easily frustrated or struggle to manage emotions. Encourage your child to keep going, but don’t push your child too much. If he or she has hit his or her limit, it’s okay to end a study session.
Praise your child after he or she finishes his or her homework or completes a study session, but remember to praise progress and effort.
9. Teach Your Child New Study Skills
Take each study session to the next level by teaching your child new study skills. A few examples of study skills include: mnemonic devices, effective reading, practicing concentration techniques, and efficient note-taking.
If your child is e-learning, there may be an adjustment as he or she learns to take notes via online classes. Be sure your child has plenty of notebooks, highlighters, and other tools for good note-taking.
10. Need More Than Just Study Tips for ADHD? Get Help If Your Child Needs It
Are you searching for actionable strategies to help your child with ADHD study better? In addition to practicing these study tips and strategies, your child may benefit from professional care. Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, we take multidisciplinary and holistic approach to your child’s ADHD treatment. Dr. Kristi Briscoe is a board-certified pediatrician specializing in effective medication management, parent coaching, and proven strategies to motivate and encourage children with ADHD.
We also offer coaching and therapy. You can see our multidisciplinary team of compassionate and expert providers here.
To make an appointment, call us at 502-907-5908. You can also request an appointment here.
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Choosing the Best Sports for Kids with ADHD
Physical exercise is good for the physical and emotional health of all children, but exercise can be even more important for kids with ADHD — and sports are a great way to make sure exercise is in their daily schedule. Exercise can provide children physical exercise, a chance to develop social skills, a chance to boost self-esteem, and practice listening to directions and working as a team. But do all sports offer the same level of benefit for children with ADHD?
A common condition, ADHD affects more than 19% of children in Kentucky (11% overall in the nation), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The three main symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. Some children may struggle more with the inattentive symptoms, while others struggle more with the hyperactivate symptoms. Some children experience both inattention and hyperactivity.
While any physical activity is good for children, knowing which type of ADHD your child has can help you find the right sport for your child. For example, children with a lot of energy may favor more active sports. In other words, depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms, he or she may find some sports more enjoyable than others.
Two factors that may influence your child’s decision include:
- Coaching dynamic
- The pace of the sport
1. Coaching dynamic
If your child struggles with inattention, a sport with strong 1:1 coaching may be beneficial. This allows for a direct interaction between the coach and your child. One-on-one instruction creates less distraction because the coaching/instruction is directly aimed at your child.
Sports with more of a focus on individualized coaching includes:
- Cross country
- Track and field
- Wrestling
- Martial arts, including Tae Kwon Do
- Swimming
- Dance
- Gymnastics
2. Pace
While individual sports and 1:1 coaching has benefits, group sports also hold their own benefits for children with ADHD. Team sport with a quick pace can be a great outlet to release energy.
Fast-paced sports include:
- Basketball
- Hockey (both ice hockey and skating)
- Soccer
- Basketball
These sports are not idle, and they do allow for constant motion. Less idle time on the field means less chance for distractions.
Benefits of Exercise for Kids with ADHD
Whether your child is getting ready for soccer, basketball, or swimming, he or she will reap many benefits of participating in a sport. The benefits of exercise for kids with ADHD include:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved impulse control
- Reduced compulsive behavior.
- Boosted working memory.
- Improved executive function skills
- Opportunity to practice social skills and build interpersonal skills
What If Exercise Alone Isn’t Enough to Manage Hyperactivity
Organized sports can help your child feel confident and manage high energy levels, but it’s not always enough to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition to physical activity, there are other strategies for managing ADHD, including:
- Eating well-balanced meals
- Practicing good sleep hygiene
- Attending therapy
- Medication
Not sure where to start? Our multidisciplinary team can help you through therapy (for your child as well as parenting coaching), medication, and guidance with lifestyle modifications. Book your appointment here and get started with your next steps today.
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How Therapy Helps Treat ADHD in Kids
Although ADHD medication can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD, medication isn’t the only treatment option. In fact, ADHD responds quite well to lifestyle modifications and therapy. Our team of expert providers excel at multidisciplinary ADHD treatment programs, which can include medication, coaching, lifestyle modifications, and CBT for kids.
But if you’re considering ADHD treatment for your child, you might wonder how therapy affects ADHD. That’s just the question we tackle in this blog: what is CBT and how does therapy help kids with ADHD.
What Is CBT Therapy?
CBT is short for cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of psychological treatment used to treat a variety of mental health disorders including anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. CBT is based on three principles:
- That psychological problems are based in faulty thinking
- That unhelpful thought patterns impact your behaviors
- That you can learn better thought patterns to change your behaviors
In other words: CBT is a type of goal-oriented psychotherapy that aims to change negative patterns of thinking and change the way a child feels about his/her self, as well as his/her abilities. As an ADHD therapy, your child will learn to identify negative thought patterns and learn to regulate behavior.
Watch the following video to learn more about CBT:
CBT for ADHD in Kids
What types of thought patterns and behaviors can CBT help with? For both adults and children, time management, organization, motivation, and emotional regulation can be trouble spots. Difficulty with time management, emotion regulation, and task initiation can lead to:
- Low self-esteem
- High stress levels
- Feeling defeated
- Negative self-talk
Therapy for kids with ADHD provides the space for your child to work past his or her struggles — and see how ADHD influences those thoughts and behaviors. During each session, your child works with his or her therapist to explore the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors during difficult situations. Your child has the opportunity to explore other ways in which the situation could have been handled.
Your child also builds coping techniques to help avoid repeating the same situation of the future.
Let’s recap! CBT can help children with ADHD by helping your child learn to:
- Manage negative emotions
- Stop negative expectations
- Identify negative behavioral patterns
- Cope with stress
- Handle transitions throughout the day better
- Identify self-defeating behaviors
CBT Helps Children with ADHD in Another Way…
If your child has co-occurring disorders — such as anxiety or depression — CBT can also help your child manage those mental health conditions as well.
Not sure if your child is dealing with ADHD or anxiety — or both? You can learn more about anxiety and ADHD in this blog post. Our team excels at diagnosing and treating co-occurring disorders, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us to schedule a psychological evaluation.
For children with ADHD, psychotherapy enables your whole family to create beneficial strategies that reward positive behaviors. Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, we are a multidisciplinary practice, and our team of experts excels at treating ADHD and anxiety in children. If your child is struggling with ADHD — or any other mental health condition — we can help. Book your appointment here and get started with your next steps today.
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Focus Music? Here Are 5 Spotify Playlists to Promote Focus
Last November, we wrote about the benefits of music and how classical music can help your child (or you!) focus when working on homework or a project.
Focus Music: Why It Works
Here’s an excerpt our previous article about music:
According to the experts at Johns Hopkins, music can reduce anxiety and lower your blood pressure. It can also stimulate and strengthen areas of the brain that tend to be weaker in those with ADHD. When it comes to music as a study aid, it can support the auditory, motor, and visual/spatial cortices of the brain. These cortices are areas of the brain linked to speech and language skills, math and reading comprehension, problem-solving, attention, and focus.
Classical music, no doubt, promotes focus, but what if you don’t want to listen to just one YouTube video? Turning on a playlist (rather than one song at a time) can help limit distractions and keep the good tunes playing.
Below is a round-up of classical playlists on Spotify to help keep your focus strong.
1. Classical Essentials
This playlist has over 17 hours of music and is great for those who are just starting to explore classical music.
2. Best Classical Music
This list has over 9 hours of peaceful classical music that features the classics (like Bach) and new artists too.
3. Calming Classical
Over four hours of calming classical music.
4. Classical Music: 50 Greatest Tracks
This list features 5 hours and 40 minutes of the most renowned chamber music pieces and concertos.
5. Pop Goes Classical
My personal favorite, this list features classical versions of current pop songs.
Music Is Just the Start…
While focus music is a good start, it’s not a magic tool. If you’re struggling to stay focused at work, or if your child is struggling to stay focused at school, our multidisciplinary team excels at diagnosing and treating ADHD — and we’re just a call or click away.
To make an appointment or to learn more, call us at 502-907-5908. You can also request an appointment here.
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3 Halloween Challenges for Children with ADHD
Halloween is right around the corner, and for many kids, it’s one of the most exciting days of the year. There’s costumes, candy, spooky decorations, Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, and a whole lot of fun. Unfortunately, Halloween presents a few challenges for children with ADHD.
Below, our team of ADHD experts explores these challenges and provide tips for overcoming them so that your child can experience a fun — and safe — Halloween.
1. Adhering to Safety Rules
Halloween, despite all of the fun, is one of the most dangerous days of the year for children. US News reports highlight that the list of dangers including:
- Tripping over ill-fitting costumes
- Visual impairments due to masks or wigs
- Dangers when crossing the street
Children with ADHD may run from house to house and pay little attention to the cars driving in the road. The combination of excitement and inattention can lead to children getting separated from their trick-or-treating group.
What You Can Do
There are many things you can do to help promote safety on Halloween. Here are just a few ideas:
- Discuss all safety rules with your child before even leaving the house (your child may be too excited to fully take in your message if you start this conversation once you’ve started trick-or-treating.)
- Talk about stranger safety.
- Ensure that your child can see through his/her mask and that the costume won’t pose a tripping hazard.
- Review the trick-or-treating map with your child.
- Create a safety plan in the event that your child is separated from you.
- Give your child glow sticks or reflective arm band for increased safety when crossing the streets at night.
- Review proper street crossing rules.
2. Eating Too Much Candy
While candy doesn’t cause ADHD, consuming high levels of sugar (and generally following poor dietary habits) can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD. For children who struggle with impulse control, it can be even harder to resist the temptation of candy.
What You Can Do
Many parents have adopted creative solutions for dealing with all.of.the.candy on Halloween. Here are a few ideas:
- Allow your child to trick-or-treat and enjoy the fun tradition, but when they return home, allow them to trade in their bag of candy for non-candy treats, such as race cars, books, dolls, bouncy balls, or some other goodie they’ve had their eye on. You can then donate the candy.
- Create a candy calendar, marking out how many pieces your child can have each day.
- Limit the number of houses you visit to reduce the amount of candy you bring home.
Regardless of how many pieces of candy your child enjoys, be sure to focus on other healthy foods throughout the rest of the day.
3. Calming Down at Bedtime
Winding down for bedtime after a fun-filled Halloween can be tricky. Because children with ADHD may struggle to regulate their emotions, you may see an uptick in temper tantrums, especially if your child is upset that Halloween is over.
What You Can Do
Thankfully, there are many ways you can make bedtime calmer on Halloween. Here are a few ideas.
- Be sure that you’re implementing good sleep hygiene practices
- Create a special bedtime routine just for Halloween e.g., reading a special Halloween book or wearing themed pajamas
- Allow extra time for your bedtime routine on Halloween
- Let your child know their schedule for the day so they have time to prepare mentally
- Give more frequent reminders when shifting activities
- Follow these tips for making Halloween more ADHD-friendly
Need Help Managing Your Child’s ADHD?
Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, we are a multidisciplinary practice, and our team of experts excels at diagnosing and treating ADHD in children. If your child is struggling with ADHD, we can help. Book your appointment here and get started with your next steps today.
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Hyperfocus or Hypomania? How to Tell the Difference between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder
Both ADHD and bipolar disorder share a few symptoms: hyperactivity, difficulty thinking, and disorganization. With these overlapping symptoms, how can do you tell which disorder you have?
Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, our team of multidisciplinary experts excels at diagnosing mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the differences between hyperfocus and hypomania and how to tell the differences.
How Often Do ADHD and Bipolar Disorder Occur Together?
According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), more than 66% of individuals with ADHD also have another disorder. OCD, bipolar, anxiety, and depression often co-occur with ADHD. To complicate matters, many of these conditions share overlapping symptoms.
You can learn more about comorbidities here.
So, how do you tell the difference between mania and hyperfocus?
Learn more in this video:
What Is Hyperfocus?
It’s a common misconception that people with ADHD can’t focus on anything. In fact, ADHD is an interest-based condition, and it’s possible to focus a lot on the things that interest you.
Hyperfocus is common among individuals with ADHD. It’s an intense highly focused attention, in which you concentrate so hard on something that you lose track the time, your surroundings, and everything else around you.
What is Mania?
Like hyperfocus, mania can cause you to lose track of your surroundings. A manic episode is characterized by euphoria, increased activity, and decreased need for sleep.
However, unlike hyperfocus, mania can also cause you to feel jumpy and agitated. People can also experience illusions of grandeur, the need to participate in risky behavior, and “a flight of ideas.”
Manic episodes are common in individuals who have bipolar disorder, and they are usually alternated with periods of bipolar depression. Hypomania is very similar to mania, but it’s a less intense version.
Treating Bipolar and ADHD
Bipolar and ADHD are treated differently, so it’s important to know which condition you have. That’s why the first step is always a comprehensive evaluation and an accurate diagnosis.
ADHD is often treated with:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Therapy
- Medication, such as stimulants and non-stimulants
Bipolar disorder is often treated with:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Therapy
- Medication such as mood stabilizers
If you’re struggling with either hyperfocus or manic episodes, we can help. With the right treatment, you can thrive! Call us at 502-907-5908 or request your appointment here.
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The ADHD and Seasonal Affective Disorder Link
Did you know that 30% of individuals with ADHD will have a depressive episode at some point? If you have ADHD, your chances of developing depression is four times greater than it is for those people without ADHD. But how do you know if you’re dealing with major depression or seasonal affective disorder?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the ADHD and depression connection, and then we’ll zero in on the signs of seasonal affective disorder.
ADHD and Depression
In this video, Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D. explains why individuals with ADHD are more likely to experience depressive episodes.
ADHD and Seasonal Affective Disorder
There are many types of depression including major depression, seasonal affective disorder, and postpartum depression. Because fall is just around the corner, let’s focus on seasonal affective disorder.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that is related to the change in seasons — typically the shift from summer into fall.
You can learn more about SAD by watching the video below:
6 Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Many mental health conditions share the same symptoms, so it’s important to receive an accurate diagnosis before embarking on any treatment plan. Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, our multidisciplinary team excels at diagnosing and treating co-occurring disorders.
You might suspect you have SAD if you:
- Feel sad
- Notice changes in your sleeping and eating patterns
- Have lost interest in your favorite hobbies
- Feel more intensely sad with the changing of the seasons
- Feel guilty
- Feel worthless
- Suicidal thoughts
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Their number is 1-800-273-8255.
Treating SAD and ADHD
The good news is that the right treatment can help you feel better. SAD is often treated with lifestyle modifications (exercise, sleep hygiene, spending time outside), therapy, and medication.
Don’t brush off these symptoms. If you’re struggling with feelings of sadness, and you suspect that you might have ADHD and SAD, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can reach our Louisville, Kentucky office at 502-907-5908. You can also request an appointment online.
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