Personalized Psychiatric Care In Johnson County, Kansas

Understanding Adult ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, organization, impulsivity, time management, and everyday functioning.

In adults, ADHD may not look like the hyperactivity commonly associated with childhood. Some individuals experience forgetfulness, procrastination, difficulty completing tasks, racing thoughts, or feeling overwhelmed despite appearing successful.

Could it be something other than ADHD?

Yes. Anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep disorders, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions can produce similar symptoms.

Our Approach: We complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, review medical and developmental history, and use standardized screening tools and structured interviews, such as the DIVA-5, when indicated. An accurate diagnosis may require multiple appointments.

Treatment options, including stimulant and non-stimulant medications, are discussed based on clinical findings, medical history, and safety considerations. A diagnosis does not guarantee a stimulant prescription.Description text goes here

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but persistent or excessive anxiety can interfere with everyday life.

Symptoms may include constant worrying, racing thoughts, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, panic attacks, muscle tension, or sleep disturbances. Anxiety may also cause physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, sweating, or stomach discomfort.

Could it be something other than anxiety?

Yes. Thyroid disorders, cardiac conditions, hormonal changes, sleep problems, caffeine, certain medications, and other medical conditions may produce similar symptoms.

Our Approach: We assess the nature and severity of your symptoms, medical history, and possible underlying causes. Screening tools such as the GAD-7 may help monitor your progress.

Treatment may include medication, psychotherapy referrals, and coping strategies. Some medications can initially worsen anxiety or may be contraindicated depending on your medical history.

Benzodiazepines are not routinely prescribed as first-line treatment. They are considered only in specific circumstances when clinically appropriate, following careful evaluation of risks, benefits, and medical necessity.Description text goes here

Depression is more than occasionally feeling sad. It can affect mood, energy, motivation, sleep, concentration, and the ability to enjoy everyday activities.

Some individuals struggle to complete daily responsibilities, while others continue working, caring for their families, and appearing successful despite feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or overwhelmed. This is sometimes described as high-functioning depression, although it is not a separate clinical diagnosis.

Could it be something other than depression?

Yes. Thyroid disorders, anemia, hormonal changes, sleep problems, medications, and other psychiatric conditions may contribute to similar symptoms.

Our Approach: We evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and possible contributing factors. Screening tools such as the PHQ-9 help us assess symptom severity and monitor treatment response.

Treatment may include medication, psychotherapy referrals, or both. We discuss potential benefits, side effects, medication interactions, and alternatives so you can make informed decisions about your care.Description text goes here

Mood disorders involve changes in emotional state that can significantly affect energy, sleep, thinking, relationships, and everyday functioning.

Conditions such as bipolar disorder can involve periods of depression along with episodes of mania or hypomania. Symptoms may include unusually increased energy, reduced need for sleep, impulsivity, racing thoughts, increased activity, or significant changes in mood.

Not every mood change indicates bipolar disorder.

Could it be something else?

Yes. ADHD, trauma, anxiety, substance use, thyroid disorders, medication effects, and other medical conditions can sometimes resemble mood disorder symptoms.

Our Approach: We carefully review your psychiatric history, sleep patterns, mood episodes, family history, and previous responses to medication.

An accurate diagnosis is important because certain medications, including antidepressants used alone in some patients with bipolar disorder, may worsen mood instability.

Treatment may include mood-stabilizing medications, psychotherapy referrals, and regular monitoring. Recommendations are individualized based on clinical findings and safety considerations.Item description

Trauma refers to experiences that are deeply distressing or overwhelming and can affect a person's emotional, psychological, or physical well-being.

Trauma may occur during childhood or adulthood and can involve a single event or repeated experiences. Examples include abuse, violence, accidents, neglect, or other distressing circumstances.

Some people describe experiences as big T or little t trauma. These are informal expressions rather than separate clinical diagnoses.

Common trauma-related symptoms may include:

• Intrusive memories or nightmares

• Feeling constantly on edge or unsafe

• Avoiding reminders of difficult experiences

• Emotional numbness or irritability

• Anxiety, sleep difficulties, or concentration problems

Experiencing trauma does not automatically mean someone has PTSD.

Our Approach: We provide compassionate, trauma-informed psychiatric evaluations to understand your symptoms and how they affect your life.

Trauma-focused psychotherapy is generally recommended for PTSD. Medications may also help with certain PTSD symptoms or co-occurring depression and anxiety.

We discuss appropriate treatment options and referrals while respecting your readiness, comfort, and individual preferences.Item description

Hormonal changes throughout a woman's life can affect mood, concentration, sleep, energy, and emotional well-being.

Understanding the stages of menopause can help explain why certain symptoms develop.

Premenopause: The reproductive years before the menopausal transition begins.

Perimenopause: The transitional period leading to menopause, when hormonal fluctuations may contribute to anxiety, irritability, mood changes, brain fog, and sleep disturbances.

Menopause: The point generally identified after 12 consecutive months without menstruation, when no other medical cause explains the absence of periods.

Postmenopause: The years following menopause.

What if hormone therapy doesn't resolve your symptoms?

Some women continue experiencing anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or concentration difficulties despite receiving hormone therapy.

Our Approach: We assess psychiatric symptoms while considering hormonal changes, medical history, medication effects, and other contributing conditions.

When appropriate, additional psychiatric treatment may help manage persistent symptoms. We discuss medication options, psychotherapy referrals, and coordination with your primary care or women's health provider.

Our goal is to support your emotional well-being throughout this stage of life.Item description

Insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or returning to sleep after waking, often affecting daytime energy, mood, concentration, and functioning.

Some individuals experience racing thoughts at bedtime, frequent awakenings, or waking feeling exhausted despite spending enough time in bed.

Could something else be affecting your sleep?

Yes. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, hormonal changes, sleep apnea, medications, caffeine, and certain medical conditions can contribute to sleep disturbances.

Our Approach: We review sleep patterns, psychiatric symptoms, medical history, medications, and other factors that may affect sleep quality.

Treatment focuses on identifying contributing causes rather than automatically prescribing sleeping medication.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. Medication may be considered when appropriate after reviewing potential benefits, risks, interactions, and alternative approaches.

Our goal is to help you achieve better sleep while prioritizing long-term safety.Item description

Substance use disorders can develop when alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, or other substances begin affecting health, relationships, responsibilities, or daily functioning.

A substance use disorder is a medical condition, not a personal failure.

Symptoms may include cravings, difficulty reducing or stopping use, continued use despite negative consequences, or experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Substance use may also occur alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, or other psychiatric conditions.

Can medication help with recovery?

Yes. Certain medications can reduce cravings, support recovery, and improve treatment outcomes for specific substance use disorders.

Our Approach: We provide individualized psychiatric evaluations and medication treatment when clinically appropriate.

Options may include buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) for opioid use disorder or naltrexone, including extended-release injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol), for eligible patients with opioid or alcohol use disorders.

Not every substance use disorder has an approved medication treatment.

We encourage recovery meetings, counseling, peer support, and other resources based on individual needs and preferences.

Recovery is a process. Our approach emphasizes safety, realistic goals, ongoing support, and reducing the risk of returning to substance use.Item description