Adult ADHD Evaluation and Treatment

A Thoughtful Approach to a Commonly Misunderstood Condition

Adult ADHD has become a frequent topic of public conversation, and many adults are seeking evaluation for the first time. The clinical reality is often more nuanced than popular accounts suggest. Some adults who suspect they have ADHD do, and they often benefit substantially from treatment. Others have symptoms that resemble ADHD but may be better explained by anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, traumatic experiences, or other conditions. A careful evaluation honors this complexity.

What an Evaluation Looks Like in My Practice

Initial ADHD evaluations typically take two to three 90-minute sessions. This length allows for the kind of thorough work that good evaluation requires:

• A detailed developmental history, including childhood functioning (ADHD by definition has roots in childhood, even when it was not recognized at the time)

• A review of current functioning across work, relationships, and daily life

• Screening for conditions that frequently overlap with or resemble ADHD, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, learning differences, sleep disorders, and substance use

• Standardized rating scales to complement the clinical interview

• Where helpful, collateral information from a partner, parent, or close friend

• A discussion of family history and any prior treatment

Approach to Treatment

When ADHD is the right diagnosis, treatment is highly individualized. Medication, often a stimulant and sometimes a non-stimulant, is frequently a central component, but it is rarely the entire picture. I work with patients on:

• Identifying the right medication and dose, with attention to side effects, cardiovascular health, and any history of substance use

• Behavioral and organizational strategies that complement medication

• Understanding how ADHD interacts with anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, or longstanding relational patterns, where psychodynamic therapy can be particularly useful

• Long-term management, recognizing that ADHD presents differently across the lifespan

Whether This May Be the Right Fit

My practice is well-suited to adults seeking a careful, integrated approach to ADHD. This includes patients who have been treated for ADHD before and are looking for a more thoughtful approach, as well as those who have never been formally evaluated and want to understand themselves more clearly.

Patients seeking a brief, medication-only evaluation may find better fit elsewhere. Several telehealth services operate that way, and they can be appropriate for the right patient. My practice offers something different: longer evaluations, integrated care, and an emphasis on understanding ADHD in the context of a person's broader life.

Getting Started

The first step is a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, where we can discuss what you are looking for and whether my approach is well-matched to your needs.