ADHD Therapy

ADHD presents differently depending on gender and age. For boys, symptoms often align with common stereotypes–interrupting, difficulty sitting still, or trouble completing tasks. As they grow to be men, it may look like a lack of being present in the moment, forgetting things, and difficulty prioritizing. Most women with ADHD are first diagnosed with anxiety because the stress of living with unrecognized ADHD symptoms creates anxiety. Women typically experience symptoms like emotional reactivity, low self-esteem despite outward success, and relying on negative self-talk for motivation. Adults with ADHD might experience racing thoughts, difficulty prioritizing or completing tasks, trouble making decisions, or having what feels like dozens of mental tabs open simultaneously. Many successful adults have developed effective but exhausting coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD. While diagnostic criteria often prioritize outward success, the internal impact of constant exhaustion leads to a hidden yet widespread mental health struggle.

ADHD-focused therapy acknowledges how your brain naturally functions and works with those patterns rather than against them. Our Columbus ADHD therapists focus on practical solutions like task breakdown methods, creating effective reminders, establishing productive routines, and identifying motivation strategies unique to you. Understanding the why behind your struggle makes all the difference. Maybe your lack of task completion is due to overwhelm, too much on your plate, being easily distracted, the task having too many steps, or an inability to prioritize and set deadlines. Each person with ADHD is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach will not lead to the improvements you so desperately long for.

Being diagnosed with another disorder when you really might have ADHD is very common, especially for women. Many clients come to us previously diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or even dissociative disorders when they actually have ADHD. These misdiagnoses can lead to years of ineffective treatments and unnecessary medication. If traditional therapy approaches haven’t provided the relief you expected, or if you’ve tried medication for other conditions without significant improvement, it’s worth exploring the possibility of ADHD.

This is a common experience, especially for adults whose ADHD wasn’t identified in childhood. Many people with ADHD choose careers that naturally engage their interests, allowing them to hyperfocus and excel professionally. Meanwhile, they might be overwhelmed by routine life tasks and have developed intense internal criticism to compensate. Professional success doesn’t rule out ADHD–it may actually reflect how hard you’ve worked to overcome challenges without understanding their true source. In fact, those with ADHD have an ability to hyperfocus on certain things, often bringing them success in their career but also causing their personal life to suffer.