The following vignettes show how the THRIVE practitioners apply different aspects of Dr. Silver’s ADHD Treatment Essentials to a variety of individualized plans.
Browse through the vignettes and see which ones fit with your current situation and challenges; and to get a better idea of the broad range of ADHD services available at THRIVE. SCHOOL-AGE CHILD: “Christine can’t sit still in class or stop talking."
Christine was the classic hyperactive kid – disruptive in class, working below grade level, low self-esteem. Her mom noticed that she seemed sensitive to certain foods and would get anxious and irritable after eating them. After diagnosing Christine with ADHD, Elaine Trogdon, MD used an elimination diet to identify several food sensitivities. With a low dose of stimulant medication, a casein-free diet and 5-HTP, Christine’s ADHD and anxiety symptoms came under much better control. Cynthia Wilcox, PhD followed up with Christine’s mom to get accommodations for her in school and worked directly with Christine to help improve her self esteem.
TEEN: “I have terrible grades and no friends. I’ll never amount to anything.”
Lenny’s ADHD had dealt him a double whammy: he had trouble with age-appropriate social skills; and despite his smarts, he was struggling with his ninth grade classes. Rick Silver, MD confirmed an earlier diagnosis of ADHD and got Lenny started on medication, which helped him focus and follow through on his schoolwork. Faith Walker, MA worked with him on his diet and exercise, which helped him feel calmer, more energetic and better about himself. And Cynthia Matsakis, LCSW enrolled him in the Teen Social Skills Group, which helped Lenny with social cues and interactions. A year later, Lenny had developed a group of friends, was exercising regularly and had increased his grades from C’s and D’s to B’s.
YOUNG ADULT: “School, parties, money, work – this is way too much to juggle.”
Peter had been diagnosed with ADD in grade school and had been on medication for years. But this wasn’t enough for him to deal with the challenges of college and his adult responsibilities. Peter met with Rose Cohen, PhD for study skills and academic coaching, both in person and in regular phone meetings. Rose helped Peter set specific academic goals, organize his study schedule, apply more effective study techniques, obtain accommodations from the college and set up a system for daily money management. His grades improved markedly and he felt much more satisfied with his choices and his life.
CAREER ADULT: “I’m 40 years old and I still wonder what I really want to do with my life.”
Steve had never really settled in to one job for a long time. Like many ADD adults, he got bored easily and changed jobs frequently. And he never felt that he had worked up to his potential. After working with Rick Silver, MD Steve began to understand that he had trouble processing auditory information and was much more of a visual thinker. When he began to record the conversations with his sales clients in pictures and diagrams, he felt much more able to organize information and tasks. Through his meetings with Peg Walton, PhD for Life Coaching, he developed a clearer sense of his life goals and the steps he needed to take to get there. And his regular mountain biking sessions provided him with enough sensory stimulation to help control his inner restlessness and stay on task longer. Steve felt calmer, more directed and more accomplished in his work.
HOMEMAKER: “My family is so angry at me. I can never live up to their expectations.”
Linda struggled with the laundry, struggled with the shopping, struggled with the kid’s homework, struggled with the mounds of paperwork and bills, struggled with getting to appointments on time. She felt incompetent and her kids and husband reinforced this idea. Linda was referred to a Personal Organizer, who helped her set up systems that got the mess in her household under control. Rick Silver, MD suggested she carry a simple notebook to keep track of tasks; and that she begin each day by setting up a schedule. Visual cues around her house helped her stay on task and on time. Linda also brought her husband in for a meeting with Cynthia Wilcox, PhD where he had the opportunity to vent some of his frustrations with Linda and to learn what were realistic expectations for an adult with ADHD. The house isn’t perfect yet, but a little calmer, a little more organized – and Linda feels a lot better about herself and being able to take care of her family.
COUPLES AND FAMILIES:
“I have three kids at home – two are my children and one is my husband Rob.
I’m sick of it – he never follows through on anything I ask.
And he has no idea how to stay consistent with the kids.”
Jenn gave her husband an ultimatum: meet with Jeff Crouch, LCSW for couple’s counseling or get a new wife. Jeff helped the couple explore the difficulties of communication in a relationship where one partner has ADHD and had them establish basic rules for listening and speaking. Several parenting sessions gave Rob some guidelines for how he and Jenn could team up more effectively to support and discipline their children. With Rick Silver, MD, Rob also started taking medication and got his sleep, diet and exercise patterns under control. What had felt like a hopeless situation to Jenn now felt like a relationship that could heal and grow, and a family that could stay together.
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