Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects millions of people, but distinguishing it from other mental health conditions like anxiety can be challenging due to the overlap in symptoms. The relationship between ADHD and anxiety is particularly complex — sometimes severe ADHD causes anxiety, while other times pre-existing anxiety coexists with ADHD, creating a cycle where both conditions can amplify each other. Understanding ADHD requires recognizing that this condition presents differently across genders and often goes undiagnosed, especially in women.
Anthony Marcaida, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) at Neuro Wellness Spa in Beverly Hills, brings valuable insights to ADHD treatment through his clinical expertise working with patients experiencing challenges with attention and focus.
“I would say that ADHD probably feels like a lot of disorganization, forgetfulness, feeling like you’re always behind. For some people, they’ll complain that it might essentially be a form of, like, disorganized chaos, if you will,” explains Anthony, highlighting how ADHD impacts daily functioning beyond simple attention problems.
One of the most important points Anthony makes is about the diagnostic process for ADHD. The length of symptoms is crucial — he emphasizes that if someone was a straight-A student throughout their life with no academic issues, but suddenly developed focus problems after a recent life event, this might indicate something other than ADHD.
In this informative video, you’ll learn:
- What Is ADHD?
- ADHD Medication: A Comprehensive Guide
- CBT for ADHD: Cognitive Restructuring Exercises Adapted for ADHD Treatment
- How To Treat ADHD Without Meds
- ADHD Symptoms and Management
- Anxiety vs. ADHD
Our psychiatrists offer evidence-based mental health treatments and the latest psychiatric medication options through convenient online visits across California or in-person at our locations in the Los Angeles area. Schedule your appointment today.
nthony also discusses how ADHD in women often goes unrecognized because it typically presents as inattentiveness rather than hyperactivity, and symptoms are often misinterpreted as personality traits rather than a medical condition leading to late-life diagnosis.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with ADHD symptoms, Neuro Wellness Spa offers comprehensive ADHD treatment services with expert clinicians providing personalized care. Our specialized team offers therapy, medication management, and ongoing support for effective ADHD management. Call Neuro Wellness Spa today to begin your journey toward better focus and improved quality of life.
Anthony Marcaida, PMHNP, on ADHD Treatment
“How can you tell if someone has ADHD or anxiety? It’s a little bit difficult, again, because of the overlapping symptoms between the two. You know, there’s that question or that age-old statement: What came first, the chicken or the egg? For some patients, they have really severe ADHD, which causes them to have anxiety. For others, they might have pre-existing anxiety also with ADHD, not as bad, but they can feed off onto each other.
“Hey everyone, my name is Anthony Marcaida, I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I work at Neuro Wellness Spa in Beverly Hills, and I am a Los Angeles native.”
What are the three types of ADHD?
“Back in the day, ADHD was never referred to as ADHD, it was always called ADD. And the new school of thought, they just combine it all as ADHD, which includes the inattentive type of ADHD, the hyperactive type of ADHD, and the combined type of ADHD. Now, there are many people and many providers still out there who still use the term ADD as their form of avoiding the word hyperactivity. So when they’re referring to ADD, they’re more referring to inattentiveness.”
What does ADHD feel like?
“I would say that ADHD probably feels like a lot of disorganization, forgetfulness, feeling like you’re always behind. For some people, they’ll complain that it might essentially be a form of, like, disorganized chaos, if you will.”
What mental health conditions are often mistaken for ADHD?
“So there’s a handful of disorders that are commonly confused with ADHD. Such disorders would include depression, anxiety, and for females, PMDD.”
What is PMDD?
“So ADHD and PMDD often have overlapping symptoms. PMDD stands for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Now, specifically with PMDD, it’s very common for females to have some emotional dysregulation, emotional instability, you know, anywhere between one to two weeks prior to their cycle.
“Now with ADHD, one of the more common symptoms that’s revealed mostly with females — but it can happen with males as well — is emotional dysregulation. Therefore, that’s one of the biggest side effects or symptoms that are revealed that can be misconstrued as one of the other.”
What does undiagnosed ADHD look like in women?
“So undiagnosed ADHD in women can look primarily as being inattentive, forgetful, easily distracted. For some, they may even be perceived as being lazy, because they’re unable to fulfill the tasks that are required. It is common for women to be diagnosed later in life because they’re more of the inattentive type, whereas in males there’s the whole social construct of boys and men being, like, hyper and wild, so it’s almost expected.
“Whereas with females, you know, they’re expected to be more reserved, quiet, therefore maintaining that social construct. Their inattentiveness growing up and lack of focus is just misconstrued as, ‘That’s just their personality.’”
Can you have ADHD without showing symptoms?
“The primary symptoms would include inattentiveness, distractibility, forgetfulness, poor task initiation, impulsivity. Rule of thumb, you know, there’s about like eight or nine different types of symptoms that are categorized, you know, in order for you to hit the criteria for having ADHD. Generally speaking, you need to have at least five of those symptoms.
“And so with that said, you know, if you are having these symptoms, which you might be suspecting as ADHD, I highly recommend seeing your medical professional. Through that perspective lens, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you have any other specific conditions that are being left untreated.”
How does ADHD affect a person’s life?
“It can affect a person’s life in a multitude of ways. So first off, we have to remember that, you know, because of their poor focus, their distractibility, their poor time management, it can negatively impact a person’s career, school, even relationships.”
How do you diagnose ADHD?
“Typically I like to ask patients, you know, how long they’ve had these symptoms for. That’s probably the most critical aspect to actually diagnosing ADHD. We have to factor in their current age and how long they’ve had these symptoms for.
“If a patient came to me telling me that, ‘I was a straight-A student all my life, I love school, had no issues in school.’ However, maybe a certain life event may have occurred within the last year or two. I like to use that and hang on to that factor as to maybe one of the reasons why they might have some poor cognitive dysfunction at this time. Therefore, length of the symptoms is one of the core assessments necessary for diagnosing this condition.”
What are some of the most effective medications for ADHD?
“So, some of the most effective medications for ADHD would include the idea of stimulant use. Such stimulants would include Adderall or Vyvanse, which are derivatives of amphetamines. Another popular medication that’s out there is Ritalin, or even a long-acting [medication], which is Concerta — the derivative of that would be a methylphenidate base.”
How do I treat ADHD?
“Best treatment for ADHD? To be honest with you, it’s a little bit of everything. Studies out there show that the best type of ADHD treatment would be with stimulant use — that would be the gold standard. However, you know, there are a handful of holistic measures that are out there: organizational tools, multiple alarms, schedules, writing yourself a lot of reminders.
“CBT is a type of therapy — cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that can be beneficial. A lot of my patients find that to be beneficial for, kind of, focusing on the now. Simply put, the best type of treatment is a combination of, you know, therapy, holistic measures, medication management.”