ADHD

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects focus, attention, organization, and impulse control. It can present differently in children and adults and often impacts school, work, and relationships.

Common symptoms include: difficulty sustaining attention, restlessness, forgetfulness, impulsivity, disorganization, procrastination, frequent daydreaming, or feeling mentally scattered. For adults, it may look like losing track of time, struggling to finish projects, or missing deadlines and appointments.

Accurate diagnosis is essential. ADHD can mimic other concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or even giftedness. Studies suggest that ADHD is misdiagnosed in up to 20–30% of cases, meaning individuals may receive treatments that don’t address the true root of their symptoms.

When ADHD symptoms are actually anxiety-related — especially anxiety stemming from trauma — stimulant medication can heighten symptoms rather than help. This is why careful assessment and diagnosis are critical.

Conditions commonly misdiagnosed as ADHD include: anxiety disorders, giftedness, bipolar disorder, and trauma-related responses.

At Kaimana Psychology, our therapy approach is tailored to your unique experience. We focus on strategies for managing forgetfulness, impulsivity, missed appointments, and task paralysis — whether you’re using medication or not. These skills help you function more effectively and reduce distress day to day.

Beyond symptom management, our approach also explores the root causes — the emotional and cognitive patterns formed over time from living with these challenges. Many people internalize beliefs like “I’m not good enough,” “I’m stupid,” or “something’s wrong with me.” These beliefs often begin in childhood and shape adult behaviors such as perfectionism, overcompensation, or self-doubt.

By addressing these patterns through advanced neuro-based therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, or Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), we can help rewire the brain for calmer, more grounded functioning and lasting change.