Attention Disorders

What Are Attention Disorders?

As the name indicates, attention disorders are issues with a person’s brain development that interferes with their ability to pay attention over a period of time. The most common attention disorder is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is regularly referred to by its acronym, ADHD. Roughly 5 percent of the U.S. adult male population have ADHD, and even this figure may represent a severe undercounting of the problem. ADHD, in turn, is broken down into three categories which include: inattentive type, hyperactivity-impulsivity type, and a combination of the two. If you think ADHD or attention issues may be impacting you, consider looking into therapy in San Diego.

How Can Attention Issues Impact Your Life as an Adult?

Unfortunately, most of the impacts of attention issues, such as ADHD, on an adult tend to be negative. For example, someone with ADHD may struggle to graduate from college because of poor executive functioning skills. They may also fail to perform up to workplace standards, as their disorganization hamstrings their ability to get work done on deadlines. They may also notice that the multi-tasking that is required in many workplaces is complex for them. 

Problems may also crop up in other areas, such as personal relationships. Often, people with ADHD struggle to control their emotions and frustrations, making them sometimes volatile to have a personal relationship with. In addition, their lack of follow-through on big and small tasks may also cause significant hiccups in relationships. Another source of interpersonal challenges may be that a person with ADHD can be reckless, and may fail to appropriately evaluate risks before undertaking a new activity. This can be scary for partners and friends. As you might imagine, these struggles can make it challenging, but there are ways to manage attention issues with therapy in San Diego.

What Can You Do about Attention Issues?

The good news is that no matter how frustrating and even destructive these symptoms can be, there are ways to treat the condition and give you a boost in your personal and professional life. The first step you need to take is to get an accurate diagnosis of your attention issues since many adults are under-diagnosed. Your primary care provider can be a starting point for your diagnostic journey, but he/she will often send you out to a therapist to conduct the actual testing. Second, once you are diagnosed, you should work with your therapist to develop a treatment plan, which will likely include a combination of medication and therapy in San Diego.

Consider Therapy for Your Attention Issue

Medication can be very helpful in taking the edge off of some of the most troublesome ADHD symptoms and helping you reset your life. But, medication is only one of the tools that can be used. Therapy can also be highly effective. Increasingly, the psychotherapy that is delivered falls into the category of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is designed to give you the tools or strategies to think through situations and transform how you had previously approached them. The goal is to break down the negative thought patterns that a person has associated with an issue. 

Even though CBT works for many people, it is essential to remember that therapy rarely is a one-size-fits-all solution. A skilled therapist will also consider different modalities, such as family therapy, to help deliver the solutions you are looking for.

Get Therapy in San Diego for Attention Issues

If you live in San Diego and notice that you struggle with some of the symptoms generally associated with attention issues, we have good news for you. Our team of highly skilled professionals at Perlman Wellness has extensive experience helping affected individuals build a happier and healthier life. To hear more about our treatment protocols for attention issues, schedule an appointment today!