We are proud to be able to offer the first Adult ADHD clinic in New Zealand. Based on the established model operating in the UK, we offer a range of evidence based multidisciplinary interventions. This means that you have a choice of expert clinicians who can help minimise the impact of your illness on your life and those around you.
ADHD & ADD
Both Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are gaining greater recognition as disorders that can negatively influence adult functioning (much as they do in children). Our clinic has gained the premier reputation of providing high quality expert assessment and treatment of all adult forms and presentations of this disorder. If you are concerned that you may have either of these disorders, we can help assess and discuss treatment options if indicated.
Depression, Anxiety & Alcohol
Concerned about depression, anxiety, alcohol or drug use? Depression and anxiety are common co-morbid conditions with Adult ADHD and can impact on functioning significantly whilst alcohol and drugs maybe used to self medicate.
If you have concerns about Adult ADHD, depression, anxiety, alcohol or drug use then we can talk things over with you.
Our Services
It was once thought that ADHD was limited to childhood but we are recognising that symptoms frequently persist into adulthood. For some people, adult ADHD can cuase significant problems thaat affect relationships or employment. With a number of years successfully treating adult forms of ADHD in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand, I have assembled a multidisciplinary team in order to provide the best treatment possible and begin to minimise the impact that this condition can cause throughout adulthood.
Our Adult ADHD Clinic is the first in New Zealand and is comprised of an interdisciplinary team specializing in the evaluation, treatment, and support of individuals with attention deficits, learning problems, and related behavioral difficulties. We offer comprehensive evaluations for adult ADD/ ADHD and the common co-morbid conditions such as emotional disorders or alcohol and drug use disorders. Being a multidisciplinary team we offer a variety of interventions that can include social skills training, advice regarding coping strategies, medications interventions as well as functional and occupational interventions that will help minimise the impact of the condition on you or your family members life.
It is worth noting that Medication for ADD/ADHD is more effective when combined with other treatments and if you do chose to consider medication, you will get much more out of your medication if you also take advantage of other treatments that address emotional and behavioral issues and teach you new coping skills. These include therapies that focus on managing stress and anger or controlling impulsive behaviours, while others teach you how to handle time and money better and improve your organizational skills.
These therapies may include:
- Talk therapy. Adults with ADD/ADHD often struggle with issues stemming from longstanding patterns of underachievement, failure, academic difficulties, job turnover, and relationship conflict. Individual talk therapy can help you deal with this emotional baggage, including low self-esteem, the feelings of embarrassment and shame you may have experienced as a child and teenager, and resentment at the nagging and criticism you receive from people close to you.
- Marriage and family therapy. Marriage and family therapy addresses the problems ADD/ADHD can create in your relationships and family life, such as conflicts over money problems, forgotten commitments, responsibilities in the home, and impulsive decisions. Therapy can help you and your loved ones explore these issues and focus on constructive ways of dealing with them and communicating with each other. Therapy can also improve your relationships by educating your partner and family members about ADD/ADHD.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy encourages you to identify and change the negative beliefs and behaviors that are causing problems in your life. Since many individuals with ADD/ADHD are demoralized from years of struggle and unmet expectations, one of the main goals of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to transform this negative outlook into a more hopeful, realistic view. Cognitive-behavioral therapy also focuses on the practical issues that often come with ADD/ADHD, such as disorganization, work performance problems, and poor time management.
Our clinicians are also effective coaches and whilst coaching is not a traditional form of therapy, it can be a valuable part of ADD/ADHD treatment. In contrast to traditional therapists who help people work through emotional problems, coaches focus solely on practical solutions to problems in everyday life. Behavioral coaches teach you strategies for organizing your home and work environment, structuring your day, prioritizing tasks, and managing your money.
Adult ADHD/ADD
Life can be a balancing act for any adult, but if you find yourself constantly late, disorganized, forgetful, and overwhelmed by your responsibilities, you may have Adult ADD/ADHD. Attention deficit disorder affects many adults, and its wide variety of frustrating symptoms can hinder everything from your relationships to your career. But help is available—and learning about ADD/ADHD is the first step. Once you understand the challenges, you can learn to compensate for areas of weakness and start taking advantage of your strengths.
Attention deficit disorder is not just a problem in children. If you were diagnosed with childhood ADD/ADHD, chances are, you’ve carried at least some of the symptoms into adulthood. But even if you were never diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as a child, that doesn’t mean you can’t be affected by it as an adult.
Attention deficit disorder often goes unrecognized throughout childhood. This was especially common in the past, when very few people were aware of ADD/ADHD. Instead of recognizing your symptoms and identifying the real issue, your family, teachers, or other parents may have labeled you a dreamer, a goof-off, a slacker, a troublemaker, or just a bad student.
Alternately, you may have been able to compensate for the symptoms of ADD/ADHD when you were young, only to run into problems as your responsibilities increase. The more balls you’re trying to keep in the air—pursuing a career, raising a family, running a household—the greater the demand on your abilities to organize, focus, and remain calm. This can be challenging for anyone, but if you have ADD/ADHD, it can feel downright impossible.
The good news is that, no matter how it feels, the challenges of attention deficit disorder are beatable. With education, support, and a little creativity, you can learn to manage the symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD—even turning some of your weaknesses into strengths. It’s never too late to turn the difficulties of adult ADD/ADHD around and start succeeding on your own terms.
