According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 6 percent of U.S. adults, roughly 15.5 million people, currently have an ADHD diagnosis. More than half of those adults received their diagnosis for the first time after age 18. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, and it does not end in childhood. Many adults live with ADHD for decades without knowing it, cycling through jobs, relationships, and failed treatments for anxiety or depression that never fully worked because the underlying condition was never identified.
At PsychBright Health, our board-certified psychiatrists specialize in ADHD diagnosis and treatment for adults, helping patients move from confusion and frustration toward clarity, focus, and a treatment plan built around their specific needs.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning and development. It is not a matter of intelligence, willpower, or effort. ADHD reflects measurable differences in how the brain regulates attention, impulse control, and executive function. These differences show up in brain imaging studies and are well-documented in decades of neuroscience research.
ADHD is highly treatable. With the right combination of psychiatric care, behavioral strategies, and lifestyle support, most people with ADHD experience significant improvement in focus, organization, and daily functioning.
ADHD presents differently from person to person. The DSM-5 recognizes three presentations:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
Characterized primarily by difficulty sustaining attention, following through on tasks, staying organized, and filtering out distraction. This presentation is frequently missed in girls and women because it lacks the visible hyperactivity most people associate with ADHD. Many adults with inattentive ADHD go undiagnosed into their 30s and 40s, often after their own child receives a diagnosis and they recognize the same patterns in themselves.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
Characterized primarily by excessive physical restlessness, fidgeting, difficulty staying seated, talking excessively, and acting before thinking through consequences. In adults, physical hyperactivity often shifts to an internal feeling of restlessness or an inability to relax rather than the overt fidgeting seen in children.
Combined Presentation
The most common presentation involves significant symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Most adults diagnosed with ADHD meet criteria for combined presentation.
ADHD symptoms vary depending on the presentation and the individual. If several of the following have been present since childhood and are affecting your ability to function across multiple areas of life, it may be time to speak with a psychiatrist.
Inattention symptoms may include:
Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms may include:
A proper ADHD evaluation is not a five-minute screening or a brief online questionnaire. At PsychBright Health, ADHD is diagnosed through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist. The evaluation reviews symptom history going back to childhood, current functioning across multiple settings including work, home, and relationships, medical history, and any prior evaluations or treatment attempts.
Diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) require that symptoms be present in two or more settings, cause clinically significant impairment, and have been present since before age 12. You do not need a childhood diagnosis or documentation from grade school. In adults, a thorough clinical interview reconstructs the symptom timeline through developmental history, academic records, and information from family members when available.
A careful evaluation also rules out other conditions that can mimic or co-occur with ADHD, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and learning disabilities. This distinction matters because misdiagnosis leads directly to ineffective treatment. If someone with undiagnosed ADHD is treated only for anxiety, the anxiety may improve partially while the underlying attention and executive function problems persist.
ADHD is a neurobiological condition with well-established contributing factors. It is not caused by poor parenting, too much screen time, sugar, or a lack of discipline.
Consider the 38-year-old project manager who has been called “so smart but so disorganized” at every performance review for 15 years. She sets alarms, buys planners, tries every productivity app, and still misses deadlines she genuinely cares about. Two therapists treated her for anxiety. An antidepressant took the edge off but never touched the core problem: she cannot hold a plan in her head long enough to execute it. Her daughter was recently evaluated for ADHD at school, and reading the symptom checklist felt like reading her own autobiography. That recognition is not a coincidence. It is the most common path to an adult ADHD diagnosis.
You should consider speaking with a psychiatrist if:
If any of these resonate with you, a psychiatric evaluation is a strong next step. You do not need a referral to see a psychiatrist directly.
At PsychBright Health, ADHD treatment is individualized and thorough. We go beyond prescribing stimulant medication. Every treatment plan begins with a complete evaluation that confirms the diagnosis, identifies the ADHD presentation type, assesses for co-occurring conditions, and builds a plan that addresses the full picture of each patient’s functioning and goals.
Every patient begins with a detailed psychiatric evaluation to confirm the ADHD diagnosis, identify the specific presentation type, and screen for co-occurring conditions including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and learning disabilities. Co-occurring conditions are present in roughly two-thirds of adults with ADHD and directly affect treatment planning. An accurate evaluation prevents months or years of treating the wrong condition.
Medication is one of the most effective treatments for ADHD and can produce significant, measurable improvements in attention, impulse control, and executive function. Our board-certified psychiatrists carefully prescribe and monitor:
Stimulant medications are the first-line pharmacological treatment for ADHD and are effective for the majority of patients. These include amphetamine-based medications such as Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), and methylphenidate-based medications such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Concerta (extended-release methylphenidate). PsychBright Health prescribes all of these. Platforms like Brightside and Cerebral are prohibited from prescribing stimulant medications under federal regulations, which means patients who need Adderall or Vyvanse for ADHD cannot get those prescriptions through those services.
Non-stimulant medications are effective alternatives for patients who do not respond well to stimulants, experience intolerable side effects, or have contraindications. Options include atomoxetine (Strattera), viloxazine (Qelbree), and guanfacine (Intuniv).
Bupropion is an antidepressant with dopaminergic activity that can benefit patients with ADHD, particularly when depression co-occurs with attention difficulties.
We carefully monitor dosage, effectiveness, and side effects and adjust treatment as needed to find the right balance for each patient. Learn more about psychiatric medication management and how we approach prescribing.
Behavioral and cognitive strategies are an important complement to medication for ADHD. We coordinate with therapists providing:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for ADHD targets the organizational, time management, and emotional regulation challenges that medication alone does not fully address. CBT for ADHD is distinct from general CBT and focuses on building practical systems for planning, prioritizing, and follow-through.
Executive function coaching is a practical, skill-building approach for adults who need structured support with planning, prioritizing, and completing multi-step tasks.
Parent training is recommended for families of children with ADHD. Structured behavioral strategies at home significantly improve outcomes and reduce family conflict.
Many patients experience ADHD alongside anxiety disorders or depression, which requires a coordinated treatment approach that addresses both conditions simultaneously rather than one at a time.
Lifestyle factors have a meaningful impact on ADHD symptom severity. We incorporate evidence-based guidance including:
ADHD management requires consistent follow-up, not a single prescription and a handshake. We provide regular follow-up appointments, in-person at our office or via telepsychiatry, to monitor medication effectiveness, adjust dosages, address emerging challenges, and support long-term functioning.
We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video appointments for patients throughout California. Under current federal telehealth regulations, our psychiatrists can evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe ADHD medications, including stimulants, entirely via telehealth without requiring an in-person visit first. For adults with ADHD, telehealth removes the logistical barriers of commuting, parking, and rigid scheduling that make consistent in-person care difficult. If getting to an appointment on time is one of your ADHD symptoms, telehealth is not a compromise. It is a better fit for how your brain works.
ADHD rarely exists in isolation. Co-occurring psychiatric conditions are present in an estimated 70 percent of adults with ADHD, and treating ADHD without addressing what accompanies it produces incomplete results. At PsychBright Health, we also provide psychiatric care for:
PsychBright Health prescribes controlled substances including Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin. Platforms like Brightside and Cerebral are prohibited from prescribing stimulant medications under federal regulations, which means patients who need Adderall or Vyvanse cannot get those prescriptions through those services. If you have been turned away elsewhere or told you need to try a non-stimulant first at a platform that simply cannot prescribe what you may need, PsychBright can help.
Our board-certified psychiatrists conduct comprehensive evaluations that go beyond a brief screening questionnaire, identify co-occurring conditions, and build personalized treatment plans covering medication, behavioral strategies, and lifestyle support. We accept Medicare Advantage, Medicare, Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, UHC, Optum, Health Net, L.A. Care Commercial, SCAN, Carelon, Tricare, and Triwest. Most patients are seen within 5 business days. Telepsychiatry is available to any California resident, whether you are in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, or anywhere in between. Bilingual care in Spanish is also available.
Effective ADHD treatment is not about turning someone into a different person. It is about removing the invisible weight that has been making everything harder than it should be. Patients report improvements in focus, productivity, and the ability to follow through on goals that once felt permanently out of reach. Relationships improve when impulsivity and inattention no longer drive conflict and misunderstanding. Career performance often shifts significantly once the core executive function deficit is treated rather than masked with willpower alone.
Many adults describe the experience of proper ADHD treatment as finally understanding why things have been so difficult for so long, and having a clear path to doing something about it. That relief is real, and it is the beginning, not the end, of the work.
Yes. ADHD is a lifelong condition. According to recent CDC data, approximately 15.5 million U.S. adults currently have an ADHD diagnosis, and more than half of them were first diagnosed after age 18. Adult ADHD often looks different from childhood ADHD, with less obvious hyperactivity and more prominent challenges with organization, time management, focus, and emotional regulation. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can determine whether ADHD is present and guide appropriate treatment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that reviews current symptoms, functioning across multiple life domains, and symptom history going back to childhood. DSM-5 criteria require that symptoms were present before age 12 and cause impairment in two or more settings. You do not need documentation from childhood or a prior childhood diagnosis. A thorough clinical interview reconstructs the timeline. Other conditions that can mimic ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, are assessed and ruled out as part of the evaluation.
No. Many adults with ADHD were never identified in childhood, particularly women and individuals whose symptoms were predominantly inattentive rather than hyperactive. The DSM-5 requires that several symptoms were present before age 12, not that they were recognized or diagnosed at that time. A skilled psychiatrist reconstructs the symptom history through a clinical interview, developmental history, and collateral information. The absence of a childhood diagnosis does not prevent an accurate adult evaluation.
A board-certified psychiatrist is the best choice for an adult ADHD evaluation, especially if you have a history of anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric conditions alongside your ADHD symptoms. Primary care physicians can screen for ADHD, but psychiatrists are specifically trained to conduct comprehensive evaluations, differentiate ADHD from conditions with overlapping symptoms, identify co-occurring disorders, and manage stimulant and non-stimulant medications with precision. If your symptoms are significantly affecting your work, relationships, or daily functioning, starting with a psychiatrist avoids the delay of a referral chain.
No. While medication is highly effective, the best outcomes are typically achieved with a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy specifically designed for ADHD addresses the organizational, planning, and emotional regulation challenges that medication alone does not resolve. Some patients with mild symptoms manage well with non-medication approaches. Our psychiatrists develop individualized plans based on each patient’s specific needs and preferences.
When prescribed and monitored appropriately by a psychiatrist, ADHD medications are safe and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients. Stimulant medications have been studied extensively for over six decades. Common side effects such as decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, or mild increases in heart rate are typically manageable with dosage adjustments. We monitor each patient closely and adjust treatment as needed to balance effectiveness with tolerability.
Yes. PsychBright Health prescribes stimulant medications including Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, and Concerta for patients who qualify following a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Many large telehealth platforms cannot prescribe these controlled substances. If you have been turned away elsewhere, call (213) 584-2331 to schedule an evaluation.
Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Your clinician will review your symptom history going back to childhood, your current functioning across work, home, and relationships, any prior evaluations or diagnoses, and your goals for treatment. Medication is not automatically prescribed at the first visit. Some patients leave with a prescription if the diagnosis is clear and medication is appropriate. Others begin with additional assessment or non-medication strategies first. Bring a list of any current medications and prior psychiatric records if available.
Stimulant medications such as Adderall and Vyvanse typically produce noticeable effects within the first one to two weeks, and many patients notice improvement with the first dose at the correct dosage. Finding the optimal medication and dose may take several weeks of adjustment. Non-stimulant medications such as Strattera require four to eight weeks to reach full therapeutic effect. Your clinician will monitor your response and make adjustments throughout this process.
If the first medication is not effective or causes side effects, there are multiple alternatives. The stimulant class can be switched from amphetamine-based to methylphenidate-based or the reverse. Dosage can be adjusted. A non-stimulant medication can be tried. In many cases, a co-occurring condition such as anxiety or a sleep disorder is interfering with the medication’s effectiveness, and treating that condition produces a better overall response. Most patients find an effective treatment with one or two adjustments. Psychiatric treatment is iterative, not a single irreversible decision.
Yes. All psychiatric care at PsychBright Health is protected under HIPAA. Your employer cannot access your psychiatric records without your written consent. Your family members cannot access them either, unless you specifically authorize it. An ADHD diagnosis does not go on a public record and does not appear on a background check. The only circumstances under which information may be shared without consent involve a serious, imminent risk of harm. Your privacy is protected by federal law.
Yes. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video appointments for patients across all of California, including for ADHD evaluation, diagnosis, medication management, and follow-up appointments. Under current federal telehealth regulations, stimulant medications can be prescribed via telehealth by a DEA-registered provider following a comprehensive evaluation. You do not need an in-person visit first.
Yes. PsychBright Health accepts Medicare Advantage, Medicare, Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, UHC, Optum, Health Net, L.A. Care Commercial, SCAN, Carelon, Tricare, and Triwest for ADHD evaluation and treatment. Call (213) 584-2331 to verify your specific plan and confirm coverage before your first appointment.
Most patients are seen within 5 business days. Call (213) 584-2331 or request an appointment online and our team will follow up within one business day to schedule your evaluation.
You do not have to keep compensating for something you cannot see. If you have spent years wondering why everything feels harder than it should, a comprehensive ADHD evaluation with a board-certified psychiatrist at PsychBright Health can provide the answers and the treatment plan to move forward. We accept Medicare Advantage, Medicare, Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, UHC, Optum, Health Net, L.A. Care Commercial, SCAN, Carelon, Tricare, and Triwest, and most patients are seen within 5 business days. Telepsychiatry appointments are available to any California resident.
Request an appointment online or call (213) 584-2331.
1180 S Beverly Dr #700, Los Angeles, CA 90035 · Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Find out how a proper ADHD evaluation and treatment plan can change the way you work, think, and live.
Schedule Consultation