Mindful Solutions Psychiatry

ADHD

ADHD

About ADHD

ADHD can make it hard to engage socially, maintain healthy relationships, and pay attention in school or at work, and it can cause low self-esteem. Fortunately, Dr. Emem Nkanga, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and the team of compassionate providers at Mindful Solutions Psychiatry in Garland, Texas, offer ADHD care to patients ten and older. A combination of treatments like psychotherapy, medication, and self-management tools can improve your day-to-day life and restore confidence. If you’re interested in booking an appointment for you or a family member, reach out online today or call the friendly staff.

ADHD Q & A

What is ADHD?

More than 8 million American adults and 6.1 million children live with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects your brain’s executive functioning — its ability to control thoughts and behavior. This can cause daily difficulties with concentrating, completing tasks, impulsivity, and put a strain on your job, school, social relationships, and family. 

Although ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, it can also be diagnosed in adulthood.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Symptoms of ADHD include:

  • Trouble concentrating 
  • Frequent distraction
  • Forgetfulness 
  • Losing things frequently 
  • Trouble with organization 
  • Fidgeting or restlessness 
  • Impulsivity 
  • Daydreaming often 
  • Issues with finishing tasks
  • Issues with socializing 

Children may also exhibit signs like talking too much, having trouble waiting their turn or staying seated in class, or interrupting others’ conversations.

ADHD treatment can be helpful to you if you struggle with: 

  • Mood levels 
  • Stress
  • Relationships
  • Communicating  
  • Accomplishing goals at work or school 
  • Multi-tasking 
  • Organization 

If left untreated, the stress of ADHD can lead to other conditions like anxiety and depression. 

What are my ADHD treatment options?

At Mindful Solutions Psychiatry, ADHD treatment begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. This includes clinical interviews, symptom history and objective cognitive and behavioral assessments to support diagnostic accuracy.

A key part of the evaluation process may include the use of Creyos Health, a digital cognitive assessment platform designed to measure core executive functioning domains in a structured and objective way.

Objective Cognitive Assessment

Unlike traditional “pen-and-paper” tests, Creyos uses scientifically validated, gamified tasks to measure your executive functions in real-time. This provides us with an objective “map” of your brain health, specifically looking at:

  • Sustained Attention: Your ability to stay focused on a task without distraction
  • Response Inhibition: Measuring impulsivity and the “mental brake” system
  • Working Memory: Your capacity to hold and manipulate information mentally

Digital Behavioral Health Screeners

Because ADHD often overlaps with other conditions, we use Creyos to administer digitized, clinically-validated screeners. This allows us to accurately assess and monitor:

  • Depression & Anxiety: Using standard tools like the PHQ-9 and GAD-7
  • ADHD Symptom Tracking: Utilizing the ASRS (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale)
  • Substance Use Risk: Testing with AUDIT and DAST to ensure a protected and successful treatment journey

We combine digital screeners with cognitive data. This helps us avoid “one-size-fits-all” care. We create a treatment plan just for you. It matches your symptoms and brain profile.

Medication Management & GeneSight Testing

Medication is often a primary and highly effective treatment option for ADHD. Depending on your needs, your provider may prescribe:

  • Stimulant medications, which can improve focus, attention, and impulse control by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain
  • Non-stimulant medications, which may provide longer-lasting symptom control and are an alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate stimulants
  • In some cases, other supportive medications may be considered based on individual symptoms and comorbid conditions

To help improve treatment precision, we offer GeneSight® testing, which helps guide medication selection based on your genetic profile. This can:

  • Reduce trial-and-error prescribing
  • Improve medication effectiveness
  • Minimize side effects

Your provider will carefully monitor your progress and adjust medications as needed to ensure optimal results.

Supportive Care & Clinical Guidance

While we do not provide psychotherapy services in-house, your provider may recommend supportive strategies that can help improve daily functioning, such as:

  • Establishing structured routines
  • Improving sleep habits
  • Regular physical activity
  • Balanced nutrition
  • Organizational and time-management tools
  • Referral to ADHD coaching or therapy if appropriate

These supports can work alongside medication to improve overall outcomes.

Get Started Today

If you or your child is struggling with ADHD symptoms, compassionate and individualized psychiatric care is available. Contact Mindful Solutions Psychiatry today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.