Summertime is the best time to treat ADHD. Take advantage and schedule your appointment early.

ADHD Clinic of Central Virginia: We don’t just treat ADHD, we fix it.

At Advanced Psychotherapeutics’ ADHD Clinic of Lynchburg and Central Virginia, we
specialize in ADHD. ADHD is a common disorder diagnosed in approximately 9% of children ages 4-17 and almost 5% of adults.

What exactly is ADHD?

ADHD is a disorder of executive functioning skills which is located in the frontal region of the brain known as the pre-frontal cortex. ADHD comes in a variety of types being Inattentive, Hyperactive, or Combined type.  The executive functioning deficits produce symptoms of inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These deficits can be seen in the brain in real time using technology such as an electroencephalogram (EEG). The ADHD brain is known to have what is called excessive “slow wave” activity in the prefrontal regions of the brain. This means that during times when you need to focus and engage, the brain has excessive theta brain wave activity which is reminiscent of the brain falling asleep. This excessive slow wave activity prohibits beta activity which is what is needed for focus and attention. ADHD can also be exacerbated by over or under functioning of the limbic system or temporal lobes.

How do I know if I have ADHD?

There is no single test that can answer this question. A main problem in diagnosis is the potential for misdiagnosis. There is more to ADHD then difficulty with attention and impulsivity as there are a variety of other disorders that can mimic ADHD.   For a correct diagnosis, you need to see a clinical psychologist who has the clinical expertise and equipment to separate these issues.At the ADHD clinic of Advanced Psychotherapeutics of Lynchburg and Central Virginia, you will be assessed using a battery of cognitive and emotional instruments to include state of the art brain mapping so we can see what parts of your brain are overactive and which parts are under functioning. We have the expertise to diagnose the type of ADHD you may have and where it occurs in the brain.

How is ADHD Treated?

ADHD can be treated with medication or through non-invasive brain stimulation. At our clinic, Advanced Psychotherapeutics of Lynchburg and Central Virginia is able to refer for all forms of medication if this is your choice. However, you should know that if medication is the chosen path, medication will always need to be taken to increase attention and decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity. There is a non-medical approach to treatment that we also specialize in to treat all forms of ADHD.

Can ADHD be Fixed?

In many cases, it can. While it has long been thought that ADHD is life long, we now know through brain imaging research studies that the neuroplasticity of the brain lends itself to functional changes. This means with the right types of intervention, increases in synaptic modularity (the speed in which the brain sends and receives signals) can be increased and trained to function at higher levels. Research indicates that these changes are permanent. At the ADHD Clinic of Central Virginia, Advanced Psychotherapeutics is the only practice in Lynchburg and Central Virginia with this level of training, equipment, and expertise to fix ADHD.  Call Advanced Psychotherapeutics of Lynchburg and Central Virginia for more information.