---
type: Condition
title: ADHD
description: Adult and adolescent ADHD as evaluated and treated by CARMAhealth, centered on psychiatric evaluation and stimulant or non-stimulant medication management.
resource: https://carmahealth.com/conditions/adhd
tags: [carmahealth, condition, adhd, neurodevelopmental, psychiatry]
timestamp: 2026-07-08T20:00:00Z
---

# ADHD

Condition profile within the [CARMAhealth](../carmahealth.md) bundle. Facts below are drawn from the provider's own condition page, retrieved 2026-07-08.

## How CARMAhealth describes it

CARMAhealth frames ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition affecting how the brain regulates attention, impulses, and activity levels — explicitly not laziness, willpower, or intelligence. In adults it is described as chronic difficulty with organization, missed deadlines, forgetfulness, restlessness, impulsive decision-making, time management, and emotional dysregulation. The page notes the provider treats ADHD in adults and adolescents (per its page metadata) and that its psychiatrists and family physicians provide evaluation and medication management.

The provider emphasizes frequent co-occurrence with other conditions — [anxiety](./anxiety.md), mood disorders such as [depression](./depression.md), and substance use disorders — making differential diagnosis a stated priority.

## Screening / evaluation approach

Diagnosis requires a comprehensive [psychiatric evaluation](../services/psychiatric-evaluation.md): review of current symptoms, personal and family history, and prior diagnoses. The site cites DSM-5 criteria (at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity persisting six months or more, with some symptoms present before age 12) and states the psychiatrist screens for mimicking conditions (anxiety, depression, thyroid disorders, sleep problems). The page also describes a cognitive assessment option: a battery of cognitive tests and self-reports to identify deficits consistent with ADHD.

## Treatment options offered

- [Medication management](../services/medication-management.md) — described as the primary treatment for adult ADHD; stimulants (amphetamine-based such as Adderall, Vyvanse; methylphenidate-based such as Concerta, Ritalin) and non-stimulants (atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine ER, clonidine ER).
- [Psychiatric evaluation](../services/psychiatric-evaluation.md) — the diagnostic first step.
- [Telehealth](../services/telehealth.md) — virtual follow-ups and ongoing medication management.

## Claims noted (attributed)

- The site states, citing a December 2025 CDC report, that approximately 15.5 million U.S. adults (about 6 percent) have been diagnosed with ADHD, and more than half were first diagnosed as adults.
- The site states, citing the American Psychiatric Association, that roughly 14 percent of adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, with women disproportionately affected.
- The site states, citing CDC data, that nearly 70 percent of adult ADHD visits involve at least one co-occurring disorder — anxiety (51 percent), mood disorders (49 percent), substance use disorders (24 percent).
- The site states, citing NIMH, that stimulant medications remain the most effective pharmacological option for adults.
- The site states about half of adults with ADHD already use telehealth for their care.
- The site states most insurance plans cover psychiatric evaluations and medication management for ADHD.

## Sources

- Live page: https://carmahealth.com/conditions/adhd — Retrieved 2026-07-08.
- Mirror: https://mr.carmahealth.com/conditions/adhd — Retrieved 2026-07-08.