Roanoke ADHD counselor offers fitness training to help patients navigate the challenges of the disorder

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Like many kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 14-year-old Nathan Wilson used to have trouble focusing.

“Some of the issues we’d noticed was just attention, not as much hyperactivity, but more attention and attention to detail,” says Nathan’s mom, Jamie Wilson.

Wilson looked for a way to help her son, which she found within the walls of the LostBoys Strength & Conditioning.

It’s the physical side of ADHD Counseling in the Roanoke Valley.

Nathan works out at the gym twice a week, and describes what he enjoys the most.

“Probably just meeting other people, working out, again getting energy out. Something to do in the afternoon, so I’m not sitting all day,” says Nathan.

Research proves there’s something to that.

Exercise therapy helps release their energy, leading to better focus and behavior.

Licensed Professional Counselor Gabriel Villarreal explains whether it’s running or weightlifting, it’s a formula that works.

“When our boys come in here, the standards is, we want to get their heart rate up to 90- percent of their max heart rate, which is really high. And what that does, is when they hit that max heart rate, their brain dumps all these neurochemicals that medicine would usually make, and so they’re getting their dopamine, their norepinephrine, their serotonin, and all that is helping them focus, sustain attention,” says Villarreal.

Elizabeth Ferguson’s 15-year-old son, Garst has been coming to fitness classes here for about two years.

He keeps up with the training, even on his own.

“Say, during the summer, if we’re on vacation, he will actually do a workout during the specific times that he should be at the gym,” says Ferguson.

Pushing himself physically is also helping Garst in the classroom.

“And as far as academics, he doesn’t love school, but he tries, whereas before, he would just kind of give up,” says Ferguson.

In years past, ADHD was widely considered a “male” disorder.

But since COVID, experts realized female cases had been largely misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression.

“And now I’m getting girls and women, moms, that are noticing symptoms and they’re just having an inkling, and they want to get tested, and it’s like, yes, you absolutely do have ADHD,” says Villarreal.

He is now working to educate people about how ADHD affects boys and girls.

Later this month, Villarreal will host “Community Conversations: Understanding ADHD in Girls and Women.”

It’s happening Tuesday, October 21 from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM in the Activity Room at Community School in Roanoke. Limited child care is offered.

You can click here to register.