ADHD Treatment

Yes. Many adults are diagnosed later in life, especially if symptoms were overlooked in childhood or became more difficult to manage with increased responsibilities at work, school, or home. A PNS evaluation can clarify whether ADHD explains a lifetime of difficulty with focus and organization.

Evaluations involve a comprehensive clinical interview, standardized rating scales (including Conner’s assessments), and review of history. For children, input from parents and teachers is incorporated. For adults, a developmental history and, where available, corroborating information from a partner or close contact is helpful.

Stimulants (amphetamine-based and methylphenidate-based medications) are the most effective class for ADHD in most patients and work quickly. Non-stimulants (atomoxetine, guanfacine, viloxazine, bupropion) take longer to show effect but are appropriate for patients with contraindications to stimulants, co-occurring conditions like anxiety or tics, or personal preference. Your PNS provider will discuss the options.

Not always. Some patients benefit from therapy, behavioral strategies, coaching-style skills, lifestyle changes, or support for co-occurring conditions. Others may benefit from medication or a combination of approaches.

PNS provides care for children, adolescents, and adults. Available providers and services may vary by location, so our scheduling team can help connect patients with the appropriate clinician.

Yes. Good grades is a common reason ADHD gets overlooked, since many people compensate through intelligence, structure, or hard work and go on to succeed academically despite struggling with focus, organization, or time management in other areas of life. ADHD is diagnosed by evaluating attention and executive functioning, not academic performance, so strong grades shouldn’t rule out an evaluation if other signs are present.