Adult ADHD Symptoms

Are you thinking of ADHD treatment?

Are you tired of feeling like you’re barely getting by? 

You’ve noticed lately that it’s getting more and more challenging to get things done. Everyone around you thinks you have it all together. But, you’re beginning to miss deadlines. You wake up feeling anxious and worried about facing another day. You are stressed about being behind on your work. 

When you really think about it, you realize it’s been this way for a long time.

ADHD Therapy in NYC and NJ

For as long as you can remember, you’ve walked around in a fog. You feel like there are cobwebs in your brain. You assumed this was how other people felt. However, you didn’t realize that some people could focus and stay on task without so much effort and anxiety.

Often, you believed you were smart, but you couldn’t figure out why you had to work three times harder than everyone else just to keep up.

Sure, you found workarounds to get by and even excelled in certain subjects. But you always felt like an imposter, like you would be found out eventually. 

At work, people generally like you because you’re friendly and go along with the team. You think outside the box and have great ideas. But when it comes time to execute, things fall through the cracks or you find yourself procrastinating. Then that same feeling of being an imposter comes back up.

You often have a vision of what you want, but you can’t seem to make it happen. You’ve tried harder and harder to get your projects in on time, and while you’re great at certain aspects of your job, you find many of the essential tasks (timesheets, expense reports, billable hours, accounting, etc.) often take a backseat. 

You’re confused and wondering why you’re constantly procrastinating or not achieving your goals even though, deep down, you know how important your goals are.

You’ve bought the books, gone to therapy, and listened to podcasts. You’ve even tried medication, but it didn’t feel like a total solution. The strategies worked for a while, but you felt like you had to figure it out on your own. 

It’s been exhausting, and you’re ready to figure out how to get out of this rut.

ADHD Therapy in NYC and NJ

In my practice, I’ve found that most adults with ADHD struggled as far back as elementary school. Their parents yelled at them about their poor grades and not doing their homework, but they didn’t think ADHD was “real,” so they were never formally tested. 

How Do I Know if I Have Adult ADHD or ADD? How Do you test for ADHD?

Adults with ADHD often recall friends calling them “space cadets”. They were constantly losing their school supplies and forgetting things. Making friends was often difficult because they felt like the other kids played by rules they were never taught. 

Many people never suspect ADHD because they weren’t hyper as children. They often daydreamed in class, and their teachers said, “you look like you’re in your own little world.” They found school stressful and overwhelming with messy desks and poor time management.

As they moved through junior high and high school, their parents may have set a rigorous and disciplined schedule of studying and tutoring. Since they were very forgetful, they took copious notes in class and would keep lists of all of their “to-do” items.

They began earning good grades and were proud of their work ethic. But, they still couldn’t understand why it seemed to take so much more time to do their work than everyone else.

They were often anxious and fearful of failing or embarrassing themselves, and they would spend a lot of time studying, worrying, and preparing. They performed well in high school and college and even went to graduate school, medical school or landed prestigious jobs. But it wasn’t done without a huge price to pay.

They with pushed for many years and have achieved a lot of success in their careers. And now, with a new promotion and extra responsibilities, they’re finding that their previous coping strategies are starting to fail and they need long-term solutions that will work. 

I’ve tried therapy for adult ADHD therapy before and it didn’t help.

If you’ve tried therapy in the past, you may have been told that you had depression, OCD, or anxiety. Your previous therapists and psychiatrists probably attempted to treat your symptoms with antidepressants and benzodiazepines, but you found that these medications would often make things worse. You felt depressed, lethargic, and foggy.

Even if you have anxiety or depression, it can sometimes feel like a chicken and the egg scenario because you’re not sure if your anxiety and depression are caused by underlying ADHD, or if your procrastination and disorganization are caused by depression or anxiety. 

You’re tired of treading water and feeling like you are always just on the verge of drowning from your obligations. You start with all the motivation in the world, but the new plans, calendars, and changes never seem to last. 

At the end of the day, you’ve tried treating depression and anxiety, and nothing has been effective, at least not in the long run. With the increasing demands of your job and your continued struggle with stress and time management, you’re ready to figure out an effective, long-term solution that treats you as a whole person instead of just as a set of symptoms.

Adult ADHD Treatment in NYC and NJ

You want to learn step-by-step strategies to get yourself organized, manage your time, get your work done, maintain motivation, and stop procrastinating.

Imagine learning something concise and powerful where you apply a few simple, practical strategies that just works. Picture getting more done in less time. 

In the past, you may have benefitted from having accountability from your parents or a caring mentor. You’ve realized that if you had that now, you could be so much farther ahead. But you want more than just accountability; you want to work with an engaging expert, who you can trust, and who will create a customized plan just for you. 

How I Treat Adult ADHD?

As one of New York City’s premier psychiatrists specializing in treating Adult ADHD, I see my patients as more than a set of symptoms. By conducting a thorough assessment that looks at each person as a whole, I work alongside my patients to provide tools and strategies to fit that person’s busy life. 

Using a combination of psychiatry and therapy practices, I help patients learn practical strategies that work long-term while also addressing other sources of anxiety and depression. For some patients, this may also include prescribing medication, but I am unique in my approach to medication because I recognize that it is not the best course of treatment for everyone.

You may have tried therapy and psychiatry before, but they never seemed to fit well together. On one hand, you don’t want to rely solely on medication without also learning practical tools to help with your productivity and stress management. On the other hand, you don’t want to just talk about your problems without finding solutions.

As a leading expert in treating Adult ADHD, I help patients find solutions that actually work and get them excited about their lives again. I work very collaboratively, and my patients often tell me that working with me feels more like working with a tennis coach or trainer at a gym than with a therapist or psychiatrist. They look forward to their weekly sessions because they can tell that their learning strategies actually work. 

Adult ADHD Treatment in NYC and NJ

I know you want to leave each week feeling better, with a specific plan that includes written steps and strategies to deal with potential pitfalls. And each session builds on the last, celebrating your wins, building on your gains, and making progress with work, your personal life, and relationships. 

Imagine having a resource that helps you build a plan and to put your plan into action. By staying motivated and achieving your goals, you’ll feel amazed at your accomplishments and the changes you’re making. You’ll be able to sit down at your desk and know exactly what you need to do, without all the distractions getting in your way. 

You’ll find balance and a sense of calm, clear focus and a peaceful mind. Your whole desk will no longer be in your inbox. Your colleagues will notice your improvement, and your relationships will feel more complete and fulfilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can help. Call 212-631-8010 or email scott@scottshapiromd.com to schedule your free phone consultation.