Conditions we treat
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD isn’t laziness or lack of effort — it’s a neurological condition that makes it genuinely harder to focus, organize, and follow through. With the right support, it becomes manageable.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain manages attention, impulse control, and activity levels. It isn’t a character flaw, and it isn’t a childhood-only diagnosis — it’s increasingly recognized in adults and teens, many of whom went undiagnosed for years, quietly struggling with what they assumed was a personal failing.
At The Psychiatric Center, we evaluate and treat all presentations of ADHD — predominantly inattentive type (sometimes called ADD), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type. We also recognize that ADHD in women and girls often looks different, appearing as daydreaming, emotional dysregulation, or difficulty with organization rather than the hyperactivity more commonly associated with boys.
Common signs include difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, chronic forgetfulness, losing things, impulsive decision-making, trouble with time management, emotional reactivity, and feeling restless or mentally “on” all the time. ADHD frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression, rejection sensitivity, and executive dysfunction — which is why a careful evaluation matters.
How ADHD can present differently
In adults
Chronic disorganization, difficulty meeting deadlines, jumping between tasks, relationship conflicts tied to forgetfulness, and a pattern of underachievement despite high intelligence. Many adults with ADHD describe feeling like they’re always behind or “treading water” no matter how hard they try — the effort is real; the results don’t match.
In teens and young adults
Teens may struggle academically despite real effort, lose track of assignments, act impulsively in social situations, or have intense emotional reactions. College students often find that the external structure school provided disappears — and suddenly ADHD symptoms become much more disruptive than they were before.
In women and girls
ADHD in females is frequently missed or misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression. Women with ADHD often internalize their struggles and build elaborate coping systems that mask symptoms while creating significant stress. Hormonal fluctuations across menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause can meaningfully worsen symptoms — which is why a nuanced evaluation matters.
Quick facts
- Affects an estimated 4–5% of adults worldwide
- Up to 75% of adult ADHD cases go undiagnosed
- Highly heritable — runs in families
- Responds well to medication, therapy, and skills training
Related conditions
Our approach
How we treat ADHD
01
Understand
We do a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation — not a single questionnaire. We review symptoms, developmental history, and rule out other conditions that can mimic or mask ADHD, like anxiety, thyroid issues, or sleep disorders.
02
Build a plan
We offer both stimulant and non-stimulant medications, therapy, and skills-based coaching. Treatment is tailored — what works for one person’s ADHD often doesn’t fit another’s, and we adjust rather than force-fit a protocol.
03
Support you
We monitor response carefully, address co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression, and help you build the day-to-day systems that make ADHD workable — not just medicated.
Common questions
Frequently asked
Can adults really have ADHD?
Absolutely. ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition — it doesn’t start in adulthood, but it does often get recognized there. Many adults, especially women, were missed as kids because their symptoms didn’t match the stereotypical hyperactive presentation.
Do I have to take stimulant medication?
No. We offer stimulant medications, non-stimulant medications, and non-medication approaches including therapy and skills coaching. The right choice depends on your symptoms, your preferences, your medical history, and what works for your life.
How is ADHD diagnosed in adults?
Through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that reviews current symptoms, developmental history, and rules out other conditions. We don’t rely on a single questionnaire — ADHD shares symptoms with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and thyroid conditions, and the evaluation needs to sort those apart.
Can ADHD cause anxiety or depression?
Yes — frequently. The chronic stress of unmanaged ADHD often leads to secondary anxiety and depression. We treat them together, because treating one without the other usually doesn’t hold.
Find clarity and take control
Call us to schedule an evaluation. Most new patients are seen within one to two weeks.