What Is ADHD?
ADHD is not a focus problem. It is a brain wiring difference that affects how you plan, prioritize, and regulate emotions. About 10% of children and 4-5% of adults in the United States have it. Many adults were never diagnosed as kids -- they just figured they were lazy, careless, or not trying hard enough.
ADHD shows up differently in different people. Some people cannot sit still. Others can sit still just fine but cannot start a task to save their life. Some hyperfocus on the wrong things. Some forget everything that is not right in front of them. It is not one thing -- it is a pattern of executive function problems that make daily life harder than it should be.
How We Treat ADHD
We start with a thorough psychiatric evaluation. We ask about your history, your symptoms, your daily life, and what has or has not worked before. If ADHD is the diagnosis, we build a medication plan around your specific situation.
Stimulant medications like Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta, and Ritalin are the most effective treatments for ADHD. They work for about 70-80% of people. If stimulants are not a good fit -- or if you have tried them and had side effects -- we use non-stimulant options like Strattera, Wellbutrin, Qelbree, or guanfacine. If you have tried multiple medications without success, GeneSight testing can help us figure out why.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is about 60 minutes. We will go through your symptoms, medical history, and any prior treatment. If ADHD is confirmed, many patients leave their first visit with a prescription. We schedule a follow-up within 2-4 weeks to check how the medication is working and make any adjustments.
Insurance and Payment
We accept Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Health First Colorado (Medicaid). We are not in-network with Kaiser, but cash pay is available. ADHD evaluations are billed as psychiatric evaluations and are covered by most plans.
When to Get Evaluated
If you are consistently losing things, missing deadlines, starting projects you never finish, or feeling like your brain has too many tabs open -- that is worth looking into. If your child's teacher keeps saying they are smart but not applying themselves, that is worth looking into too. ADHD does not go away on its own. But the right medication can make a real difference in weeks, not months.