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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Guide

 

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s a condition that affects the way the brain works and controls the body. It’s caused by a shortage of chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help the brain send and receive messages. When the brain doesn’t have enough neurotransmitters, messages have trouble traveling between nerves. That can make it hard for a person to pay attention or control their body, thoughts and feelings.

 

Watch for symptoms

  • Lack of focus, forgetfulness, inconsistent performance at work or school, distraction, trouble shifting between tasks or settings and messiness are symptoms of the attention deficit part of ADHD.
  • Being easy to anger, having trouble controlling impulses (talking too much, interrupting), moving constantly and refusal to learn from mistakes are symptoms of the hyperactivity part of ADHD.

Think about treatments

  • Therapy: A therapist can help you learn healthy ways to cope with ADHD. They can offer support and help you learn ways to better manage your time and cut down on habits that make your ADHD worse.
  • Medication: Some people with ADHD take stimulants to help with focus. Others take antidepressants or other medicines. They can’t cure ADHD but can help with symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what may be right for you. It may take some time to find what works best.

Use tips and tricks

  • Have a schedule for each day and stick to it.
  • Use a day planner and to-do lists. Set alerts and write reminder notes.
  • Find activities that let you be creative and stay away from those that are focused on details.
  • Look for jobs with limited distractions.
  • Use headphones to muffle noise while you work.
  • Work on more than one project at a time. When you get bored with one, switch to another.
  • Do boring tasks when you feel most alert.
  • Reward yourself when you finish a task.

 

Benefits

Sunshine Health can connect you to services and supports for people with ADHD. Here are some examples of benefits you may qualify for:

  • Behavioral Health Assessment Services: People with ADHD are more likely to also have depression and other mental health disorders. Get up to 150 minutes of behavioral health services per year, as medically necessary.
  • Family Therapy Services: Up to 26 hours of family therapy sessions per year. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Group Therapy Services: Unlimited visits to group therapy or brief group therapy. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Individual Therapy Services: Unlimited visits. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Medication Management Services: Services to help you make the best choices for taking medication. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Mental Health Targeted Case Management: Services to get medical and behavioral healthcare for people with mental illness.
  • Swimming Lessons: Up to $200 a year for swimming lessons for members under 21.
  • Equine Therapy: Therapy that involved activities with horses. For members 21 older with behavioral health conditions. Up to 10 sessions per year.
  • Art Therapy: For members 21 and older with behavioral health conditions. Must be delivered by a behavioral health clinician with an art therapy certification.
  • Pet Therapy: For members 21 and older with behavioral health conditions. Involves activities with trained animals. Provided as recommended by your doctor.
  • Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Analysis: Health-focused clinical interview, behavioral observations and health and behavioral interviews. For members 21 and older. Individual, group and family sessions available. Prior authorization required

Learn more about your Sunshine Health benefits.

Contact Member Services or your Care Manager to learn about several programs, including:

  • HAPPY: 24/7 emotional support to address loneliness and social isolation
  • Hazel Health: School-based telehealth program to improve access to both behavioral and medical care in schools
  • Choose Tomorrow: Suicide Prevention Program
  • METS: Members Empowered to Succeed, support recovery and resiliency

 

 

Call Member Services at 1-866-796-0530 (TTY 1-800-955-8770) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.