Effective NYC Therapy and support for Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD & Neurodivergence can hijack your life
Are you struggling to complete tasks, starting things, and losing focus? Or, you may feel restless and distracted, unable to settle yourself. Your relationships or job performance may suffer due to a lack of focus and organization. Your partner may complain about a lack of follow-through in the home or other responsibilities. You may feel lazy, hopeless, or even stupid at times. Perhaps you remember feeling this way as a youngster?
Adult ADHD and neurodiversity are becoming more widely recognized, with ADHD affecting approximately 8 million adults in the US. However, many adults remain undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness or because symptoms may be subtler than in childhood. Neurodiversity, which includes ADHD along with other conditions like autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, represents a significant portion of the population. For example, 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism, and 5-10% of people experience dyslexia. As understanding of neurodiversity grows, more adults are being diagnosed later in life, leading to increased recognition and support for neurodivergent individuals navigating personal, professional, and social challenges. The rates of ADHD have nearly doubled since the late 1990s. Leading researchers are suggesting that up to 75% of adults may unknowingly have ADHD, or at least, many symptoms of ADHD that impact their personal and professional lives, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
How does ADHD show up in your life?
Many clinicians struggle to feel confident diagnosing and treating adult ADHD, yet it is highly responsive to treatment. Usually diagnosed in childhood, ADHD is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity. Psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, and other mental health professionals often misattribute symptoms of ADHD as stemming from other disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD/trauma. Yes, these issues can also co-occur with ADHD, but often, individuals spend years struggling with being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, mistakenly blaming symptoms on flaws of character. In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness, and restlessness. Adults symptomatic for ADHD may find it difficult to prioritize and focus, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. This cycle leads to high levels of stress and shame. The inability to control impulses can include saying inappropriate things, impatience waiting in traffic, or outbursts of anger. If you are struggling with ADHD, it’s vital to find a mental health professional trained to identify and understand the complexities and scope of ADHD.
What are the 3 types of ADHD?
Predominantly Inattentive ADHD - This type is characterized by difficulty paying attention, trouble staying organized and an inability to follow instructions.
Predominantly Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD - This type is characterized by an inability to sit still, difficulty speaking in turn, and an urge to always be on the go.
Combined ADHD - This type combines the symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. It includes difficulty paying attention, trouble staying organized, an urge to always be on the go, and difficulty speaking in turn.
ADHD in women
Women are often underdiagnosed and undertreated for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) today, primarily due to old stereotypes about the disorder mainly affecting men. Historically, boys have been noted for their hyperactivity, while women often align with the traditional characterization of ADD, which is primarily associated with attention difficulties. ADHD in women often presents differently than in men, with symptoms that can be more subtle or overlooked. Women with ADHD may exhibit inattentiveness, disorganization, and difficulty staying focused, but these traits might be misinterpreted as laziness or forgetfulness. They are also more likely to internalize symptoms, leading to emotional dysregulation, anxiety, or depression. Women often develop coping mechanisms to mask their struggles, such as overcompensating with perfectionism or avoiding tasks altogether, which can make the condition harder to diagnose. As a result, ADHD in women is often underdiagnosed or diagnosed later in life.
Menopause can exacerbate ADHD symptoms in women due to the hormonal changes that occur during this life stage. The decline in estrogen and progesterone levels can affect brain chemistry, particularly the neurotransmitters involved in attention, focus, and impulse control, which are already impacted by ADHD. This can lead to intensified symptoms such as increased forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and irritability. Additionally, sleep disturbances and hot flashes, common during menopause, can further disrupt cognitive function, making it even harder to manage ADHD symptoms. As a result, women with ADHD may experience more pronounced challenges during this time, and existing coping strategies might become less effective.
Manhattan Psychotherapy & Wellness, you will work with a highly skilled and certified specialist to support the needs of women and their mental health. Therapy offers identification, diagnosis, education, tools, inspiration, and support for women with ADHD to help them overcome their symptoms and live their best lives.
The diagnostic types of ADHD presentation according to the DSM 5:
predominantly inattentive presentation
This subtype should be used if six (or more) symptoms of inattention for children, and five for adults, (but fewer than six symptoms for children and five for adults of hyperactivity-impulsivity) have persisted for at least six months.
Predominately hyperactive-impulsive presentation
This should be used if six (or more) symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children, and five for adults (but fewer than six symptoms for children and five for adults of inattention) have persisted for at least six months.
Combined presentation
This subtype should be used if six (or more) symptoms of inattention for children, and five for adults, and six (or more) symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children, and five for adults, have persisted for at least six months.
Other specified Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity disorder
This category applies to presentations in which symptoms characteristic of ADHD that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning predominate but do not meet the full criteria for ADHD or any of the disorders in the neurodevelopmental disorders diagnostic class.
Unspecified Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity disorder
This category applied to presentations in which symptoms characteristic of ADHD that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning predominate but do not meet the full criteria for ADHD or any of the disorders in the neurodevelopmental disorders diagnostic class.
Adult ADHD Symptoms & Executive Functioning Challenges may include:
Impulsiveness
Low frustration tolerance
Trouble coping with stress
Frequent mood swings and rage
Disorganization and problems prioritizing
Making careless mistakes
Losing items
Easily distracted by stimuli or unrelated details
Forgetfulness in daily activities
Difficulty paying attention to detail or when spoken to
Trouble sustaining attention on tasks
Difficulty following instructions and
Poor planning
Poor time management skills
Trouble multitasking
Excessive talking
Frequent interruptions or intruding on others
Difficulty waiting for one’s turn
Excessive fidgeting, activity or restlessness
Problems following through and completing tasks
How is adult ADHD diagnosed?
It's less common for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. As with childhood diagnosis, symptoms of several mental disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. A healthcare professional will typically take a medical history, rule out any chronic illness or other psychiatric disorder, and then work with a mental healthcare professional to get an accurate ADHD diagnosis through the use of ADHD checklists.
With more of the population showing neurodivergence in a society that demands even more focus, organization, and time management, proper identification and support are timely and critical. On a more positive note, there is less stigma associated with ADHD now than in the past, which makes it easier for individuals and professionals to seek the care and treatment they need. Individuals with mild symptoms who were not formally diagnosed in the past are now able to seek support. It’s also important to understand the many factors that contribute to ADHD, such as maternal substance abuse, premature delivery and low birth weight, brain injury, poor nutrition, poor sleep quality, environmental hazards or chemicals, and blue light-emitting devices as just a few examples of challenges in the environment.
Working with someone who can help you not only manage your symptoms but also maximize your strengths and encourage you to embrace your gifts is downright life-changing.
Improve your life if you have been diagnosed with ADHD
It is possible to live well and thrive with ADHD but you will need ADHD-focused therapies that center on an individual’s goals building on your unique strengths. Counseling with an ADHD expert will provide you and your family members with the necessary education and support. You may also benefit from accommodations in your workplace to support your professional needs. For example, some individuals benefit from modifications in the environment as well as counseling to increase skills to improve executive functioning deficits. Of course, stimulant and non-stimulant medication can be explored and trialed to improve your symptoms of ADHD as well as your self-esteem as you begin to function at your potential.
Types of therapy that support ADHD
There are several types of therapy that can help address adult ADHD:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - This therapy helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns, teaching strategies to manage symptoms like impulsivity, distractibility, and time management.
Coaching - ADHD coaching is specifically tailored to help individuals set and achieve personal goals, improve organization, and develop better self-management strategies.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) - This combines mindfulness practices with CBT techniques to increase awareness of thoughts and behaviors, helping to manage distractibility and emotional dysregulation.
Behavioral Therapy - This focuses on modifying specific behaviors by rewarding positive behaviors and minimizing the impact of negative ones, useful for improving organizational skills and controlling impulses.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) - While it’s traditionally used for mood disorders, IPT can also help ADHD patients improve relationships and communication skills by addressing emotional challenges and interpersonal difficulties.
EMDR Therapy - EMDR can help resolve the trauma and shame that individuals may have as it relates to their history of ADHD and neurological differences.
Medication - Many will be helped by working with a psychiatric provider for medication management of symptoms.
Each therapy type can be customized to fit an individual’s unique needs, often in combination with medication or other interventions.
About ADHD Therapy NYC
This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gain a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.
Experienced & Certified ADHD Therapist With Nearly 20 Years Of Experience
This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care and also stays current on research related to mental health. My goal for you is to use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.
Book An Appointment For ADHD Therapy Today
To get started, book an appointment or text at 212-529-8292. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you in your healing journey toward optimal mental health.