What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, and activity level. It typically begins in childhood, but many people aren't diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood, often after years of being told they just need to try harder.
ADHD can look different from person to person:
- Inattentive: trouble focusing, losing things, missing details, difficulty finishing tasks
- Hyperactive-impulsive: restlessness, interrupting, acting before thinking
- Combined: a mix of both
In adults, ADHD often shows up as chronic procrastination, missed deadlines, disorganization, and frustration at work or home.
How Dr. Green can help
A proper ADHD evaluation takes more than a quick checklist. Dr. Green is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry, so he understands how ADHD develops across a lifetime. His assessment reviews developmental and school history, current symptoms, and input from parents or teachers when appropriate. He also screens for conditions that can look like ADHD or occur alongside it, including anxiety, depression, learning differences, sleep problems, and substance use.
What treatment looks like
Treatment is built around your goals, whether that's keeping up in school, staying on top of work, or reducing conflict at home. Psychotherapy can help you understand how ADHD has shaped your self-image and relationships, and develop structure and strategies that fit your life. For children, Dr. Green works with parents on routines, expectations, and coordination with schools.
Is medication involved?
Often, yes. ADHD medication is one of the most effective treatments in psychiatry. Options include stimulant medications (methylphenidate- and amphetamine-based) and non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, or guanfacine. Dr. Green starts low, adjusts carefully, and monitors sleep, appetite, mood, blood pressure, and growth in children. Because stimulants are controlled substances, regular follow-up visits are part of safe ADHD treatment.
Common questions about adhd
Can adults be diagnosed with ADHD?
Absolutely. Many adults, especially women and people who did well in school early on, were never diagnosed as children. Symptoms must have been present in childhood, but they're often recognized only later, when work and family demands increase.
Is ADHD medication safe for children?
When prescribed and monitored by an experienced physician, ADHD medications have a long track record of safety and effectiveness. Regular follow-up checks growth, appetite, sleep, heart rate, and blood pressure.
ADHD care in Minneapolis, Excelsior and online
An accurate diagnosis can change how you see yourself or your child. Dr. Green provides ADHD evaluation and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults at his Minneapolis and Excelsior offices and through telehealth. Dr. Green is accepting new patients. Call the office to ask about next steps.