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Frequently Asked Questions about
Night Owl Psychotherapy

What are ADHD Symptoms? ADHD symptoms can broadly be categorized into inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Each of these can manifest in various ways in daily life, often leading to Dysfunction in personal, professional, and social environments. Here's how each symptom can manifest and affect daily functioning: 1. Inattention Symptoms Difficulty sustaining attention: Struggling to stay focused on tasks, even enjoyable ones like watching a movie or listening to a conversation. This leads to incomplete tasks at work or home, missed deadlines, and frequent errors due to distraction. Careless mistakes: Overlooking details in assignments or projects. In professional settings, this can result in poor work quality or needing to redo tasks. At home, it may lead to errors in managing bills or household chores. Difficulty organizing tasks and activities: Struggling to keep track of daily schedules, forgetting appointments, and often feeling overwhelmed by the need to prioritize. This often leads to missed deadlines or feeling chaotic, impacting both work and personal responsibilities. Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort: Procrastination, particularly with tasks that require a lot of focus, like reports, forms, or schoolwork. In the workplace, this can lead to delays and increased stress. At home, this might mean avoiding things like tax preparation or budgeting. Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli: Losing focus due to noises, people walking by, or even one’s own thoughts. Constantly switching between tasks without completing any, which disrupts productivity and makes tasks take much longer. Forgetfulness in daily activities: Frequently forgetting to do tasks like returning phone calls, paying bills, or remembering appointments. Missed responsibilities and appointments can lead to financial problems, strained relationships, and increased stress. Frequently losing things: Misplacing keys, wallets, phones, or important documents. This can lead to being late, missing deadlines, or feeling constantly frazzled by the need to find things. Difficulty following through on instructions: Starting tasks but not completing them or forgetting key steps. This leads to incomplete work, unmet expectations at home or work, and possible feelings of failure. 2. Hyperactivity Symptoms Fidgeting or tapping hands and feet: Frequently moving or tapping, even when it's inappropriate, like in meetings or social situations. This can be distracting to others and may make the person seem restless or inattentive. Inability to stay seated: Needing to get up and move frequently during meetings, meals, or while watching a movie. This makes it hard to participate in long activities or remain engaged in professional or social settings. Running or climbing in inappropriate situations: A sense of being "on the go" or constantly needing to be physically active, even in situations where it's not appropriate. This can create problems in structured environments like work or formal gatherings, where the need for movement is disruptive. Inability to play or engage in leisure activities quietly: Feeling the need to constantly be doing something, even in relaxing situations like reading or watching TV. Difficulty unwinding or relaxing leads to chronic stress and exhaustion. Talking excessively: Frequently dominating conversations or speaking without pausing. This can frustrate others in conversations, causing social strain or miscommunication at work. 3. Impulsivity Symptoms Blurting out answers before questions are completed: Interrupting others in conversations or meetings, finishing their sentences, or responding too quickly. This can come across as rude or impatient, causing interpersonal conflicts in both professional and personal settings. Difficulty waiting one’s turn: Struggling with waiting in line, waiting to speak in a conversation, or waiting for a process to complete. This can lead to frustration, both for the individual and for those around them, causing social and professional tensions. Interrupting or intruding on others: Jumping into conversations or activities uninvited, or taking over tasks that aren’t theirs. This can cause strained relationships at work and in personal life, as others may feel disrespected or overlooked. Acting without thinking: Making decisions on a whim without considering the consequences, like impulse buying or quitting a job on a bad day. Impulsivity can lead to financial difficulties, unstable employment, and strained relationships due to unpredictable behavior. Difficulty managing emotions: Overreacting to small issues or experiencing extreme frustration over minor setbacks. Emotional dysregulation can harm relationships, lead to workplace conflicts, and cause frequent emotional burnout. Daily Dysfunction Caused by ADHD Symptoms These symptoms often compound and interact, leading to various forms of Dysfunction: Workplace challenges: People with ADHD may struggle with meeting deadlines, following instructions, and maintaining productivity, which can affect job performance and career progression. Relationship strain: Inattention, forgetfulness, and impulsive actions can create friction in relationships. Missed social cues, frequent interruptions, or emotional outbursts can leave partners feeling unimportant or frustrated. Self-esteem and mental health: Chronic difficulties with managing daily life can lead to low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, and heightened risk of anxiety or depression. ADHD is not just about being easily distracted or overly active; the disorder impacts a person’s ability to function in almost every aspect of life, creating obstacles that can significantly affect their well-being and success. Yet, there is hope. Schedule your free low-stress phone consult today.

How do I know if I have ADHD? Recognizing ADHD in adults can be challenging, especially since it often presents differently in women than in men. Many women develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis. Common signs of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity may be experienced by anyone with ADHD, but these symptoms can manifest in varied ways, making self-diagnosis difficult. To determine if you have ADHD, a comprehensive assessment by a licensed mental health professional is essential. It's important to understand that experiencing some symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have ADHD. These symptoms can overlap with conditions like stress, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, many individuals with ADHD have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or other medical issues, further complicating the diagnosis. A thorough evaluation is crucial to ensure an accurate diagnosis. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, I can provide a comprehensive assessment and discuss potential treatment options if ADHD is diagnosed. If you are not diagnosed with ADHD, we can explore your needs and determine the best ways to address them. Contact me today to schedule a free consultation.

Why do you specialize in women with ADHD? I specialize in treating women with ADHD because their experiences and challenges are often unique and can be overlooked in traditional ADHD treatment approaches. Women with ADHD frequently present with different symptoms than men, such as inattentiveness rather than hyperactivity, which can lead to misdiagnosis or late diagnosis. They also face unique social and emotional challenges, such as managing multiple roles and societal expectations, which can exacerbate their symptoms. By focusing on women with ADHD, I aim to provide tailored support and strategies that address these specific needs, helping them thrive in their personal and professional lives. My goal is to create a safe, understanding, and effective therapeutic environment where women with ADHD can feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Do you also treat men? Absolutely! Although I specialize in providing therapy for women with ADHD. I also offer treatment for men with ADHD, as well as adults struggling with anxiety, trauma, and OCD. My goal is to create a supportive and understanding environment for all my clients, helping them navigate their challenges and achieve their personal and mental health goals.

Do you treat children or adolescents? No, I specialize in working with adults only. My focus is on providing therapy for adults with ADHD, as well as those dealing with anxiety, trauma, and OCD. If you are seeking treatment for a child or adolescent, I recommend finding a specialist who is experienced in working with younger populations. If you need assistance in finding the right professional, feel free to contact me, and I can provide some recommendations.

How does online therapy work? Online therapy at Night Owl Psychotherapy is designed to be convenient and accessible. Here’s how it works: Scheduling: You can schedule your therapy sessions through my website or by contacting me directly. I offer flexible appointment times to fit your busy schedule. Platform: I use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform to ensure your privacy and confidentiality. You will receive a link to join the session at the scheduled time. Preparation: Find a quiet, private space for your session where you feel comfortable talking openly. Ensure you have a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone. Session: During your session, you will meet with me virtually, just as you would in an in-person session. You will discuss your concerns, work on therapeutic goals, and receive support and guidance tailored to your needs. Online therapy offers the flexibility and convenience of receiving professional mental health support from the comfort of your own home, making it an ideal option for busy individuals and those with limited access to in-person services.

What should I expect in the first session? In the first session, we will discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, and any concerns you have. It's an opportunity for us to get to know each other and determine if we are a good fit. We will also discuss your history and any relevant background information.

How long are the therapy sessions? Individual therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes. Longer sessions can be arranged if needed.

How often will we meet for therapy? The frequency of sessions depends on your needs and goals. Most clients start with weekly sessions, and we can adjust the frequency as needed over time.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. 

We can discuss them in your free low-stress 15 minute phone consult.

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