The 3 Pillars of ADHD Treatment

It's Never Just ADHD

Holistic Care Prevents Under and Over Diagnosis and Treatment

The Real Story Behind the Symptoms

Let’s be real for a second: If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, you’ve probably heard people say, “Oh, it’s just ADHD,” as if that explains everything. Like, “Oh, no biggie—you just accidentally left your phone in the fridge for the third time this week!” or “You’re late because you spent 40 minutes deciding whether to put your shoes on before or after finding your keys.” Cool, thanks for the insight!

Here’s the thing—ADHD isn’t just about forgetting your keys or spacing out during meetings. In fact, it’s never just ADHD. It’s a full-blown rollercoaster that impacts everything from how you tackle projects to how you handle relationships. And oh, the surprises don’t stop there—ADHD often brings some not-so-fun “plus ones” like anxiety, depression, and even sensory overload.

Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into what makes ADHD so much more than just a focus issue—and why getting the right kind of help (spoiler alert: not another planner!) is the key to breaking free from that constant cycle of frustration.

ADHD: More Than Just Being Distracted

You’ve probably had those “Wait, how did I end up here?” moments. You’re supposed to be finishing a project, and suddenly you’re elbows-deep in a random online shopping spree for a new hobby you won’t actually start. Sound familiar? Yeah, that’s ADHD in action.

But here’s the thing: ADHD is so much more than just getting distracted or forgetting where you put your phone (again). It’s a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects your brain’s executive function—which is a fancy way of saying that ADHD messes with your ability to plan, organize, manage time, regulate emotions, and, well, get your act together.

If it were just about losing focus, life would be so much simpler (and less frustrating). But ADHD touches everything—your work, your relationships, your self-esteem, and even how you manage basic tasks like cooking dinner without burning it (guilty).

And on top of all that, ADHD rarely shows up alone. It’s the friend who insists on bringing a dozen uninvited guests to your party—friends like anxiety, depression, and emotional rollercoasters. So yeah, “It’s just ADHD” doesn’t really cut it.

The ADHD Plus Ones: Common Comorbidities You Should Know About

Most people don’t realize that ADHD often comes with some less-than-welcome guests—mental health conditions that love to tag along and make things even more complicated. So if you’ve been thinking, “Why am I still struggling, even after getting help for ADHD?” you’re not alone. The answer might be in one of these common comorbidities:

1. Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety and ADHD? That’s like mixing oil and water, but somehow they manage to live together in your brain. It’s the endless loop of thoughts like, “Am I doing enough? Did I forget something? Wait, what’s that deadline again?” People with both ADHD and anxiety often feel like they’re constantly on edge, waiting for the next thing to spiral out of control.
Relatable Moment: Ever spend more time thinking about doing a task than actually doing it? “I’ll start that report in a minute,” you say, while stress-cleaning your desk and checking the clock every 10 seconds. Yep, that’s ADHD + anxiety at work.

2. Depression
Depression and ADHD are like a toxic couple—they keep dragging each other down. You get frustrated with your ADHD symptoms, which leads to feelings of failure, which spirals into depression. It’s that lovely combo where you want to do all the things, but can’t seem to do any of the things.
Relatable Moment: “I’ll feel better if I just finish this project.” Doesn’t finish project. Feels worse.

3. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)
Ah, the delightful feeling of spiraling into a full-blown emotional meltdown because someone didn’t respond to your text fast enough. That’s RSD, folks. It’s like emotional dysregulation on steroids—your brain goes from zero to “They hate me” in 3 seconds flat. Sound fun? It’s not.
Relatable Moment: “They didn’t say hi to me in the hallway… They must secretly despise me.” (They were probably just thinking about lunch.)

4. Sensory Overload
If certain sounds, lights, or textures make you want to curl into a ball and scream, welcome to the club. People with ADHD often have heightened sensitivity to sensory input, which can make things like grocery shopping, restaurants, or crowded events feel like pure chaos.
Relatable Moment: The sound of someone chewing chips is like nails on a chalkboard. Instant rage.

ADHD Testing: Why Comprehensive Testing Matters

Given how ADHD likes to show up with all its plus-one comorbidities, it’s crucial to get comprehensive ADHD testing. No half-hearted questionnaires or “check a few boxes” approaches here. A full ADHD assessment digs deep—not just into your ADHD symptoms, but into everything that could be tangled up with it. This means anxiety, depression, and even sleep issues get screened, too.
Here’s why this matters:

1. Identify Comorbidities
Maybe it’s not just ADHD causing your challenges. Testing for anxiety, depression, and other conditions will help you figure out what’s really going on. That way, you won’t be left wondering why your ADHD treatment plan isn’t working as expected.

2. Tailor the Right Treatment
When you understand the full scope of your mental health, you can get the right kind of help. If anxiety or depression is part of the picture, your treatment plan should reflect that. A combo of therapy, medication, and skills training is often the magic formula.

3. Prevent Misdiagnosis
It’s easy for ADHD symptoms to overlap with other conditions like bipolar disorder or autism, which is why you don’t want to skimp on your assessment. Misdiagnosis leads to the wrong treatment, which leads to more frustration—and you’ve had enough of that, haven’t you?
Relatable Moment: “I’m pretty sure it’s ADHD, but let’s also check if anxiety, depression, or imposter syndrome are crashing the party.”

Why You Need a Professional Who Gets the Full Picture

Here’s where things get tricky: Not all professionals are created equal when it comes to ADHD. Some might focus too much on medication alone. Others might give you surface-level advice that feels more like a Pinterest productivity board than actual therapy. But if you’re going to tackle ADHD (and its unruly friends), you need someone who really understands the full spectrum of mental health.

1. It’s Not Just About Medication
Yes, medication can help, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. ADHD meds might help with focus, but they won’t magically cure your anxiety or fix your emotional rollercoaster. A full-spectrum professional will help you combine medication with therapy and skill-building.

2. Therapy Needs to Go Deep
Sure, time management skills are great, but they won’t help much if you’re constantly battling emotional dysregulation or rejection sensitivity. ADHD therapy should address the whole person—your emotions, relationships, and that inner voice that’s been telling you you’re “too much” since forever.

3. Skill Building for Real Life
Forget the “just use a planner” advice that everyone and their mother swears by. ADHD requires real skills that fit your brain, not someone else’s neurotypical schedule. Learning how to manage your energy, set boundaries, and prioritize without feeling overwhelmed? Now that’s a skill set worth building.

ADHD Therapy Goals: What You Should Be Focusing On

When you work with someone who understands both ADHD and its comorbidities, your ADHD therapy goals should go beyond “just getting by.” Here’s what you really want to aim for:

1. Emotional Regulation
The emotional rollercoaster that comes with ADHD (and RSD, anxiety, or depression) isn’t going to solve itself. Therapy should help you learn how to manage your emotions in real-time, not just bottle them up until they explode.
Relatable Moment: Learning to pause before you send that “Why don’t you like me?!” text is a life skill.

2. Building Stronger Relationships
ADHD can make relationships a challenge—especially if you struggle with impulse control or emotional outbursts. Therapy should help you improve your communication skills and set boundaries, so your relationships aren’t constantly strained by misunderstandings.

3. Rewriting Your Internal Narrative
If you’ve grown up hearing that you’re “lazy,” “scatterbrained,” or “irresponsible,” it’s time to kick those old stories to the curb. Therapy can help you rebuild your self-worth and recognize that your brain works differently, but that doesn’t mean it’s broken.

ADHD Resources: Support That Works for You

When it comes to managing ADHD, you don’t have to go it alone. There are plenty of ADHD resources out there to help you navigate your journey:

Comprehensive ADHD testing: Make sure your provider screens for comorbidities like anxiety or depression.
Therapists who get it: Find someone who specializes in ADHD and understands the full mental health picture.
Skill-building programs: Look for tools that help you manage executive function, emotional regulation, and day-to-day challenges in a way that works for your brain.

It’s Never Just ADHD, But You’re Never Just Alone

ADHD might feel like a chaotic whirlwind that’s messing with every corner of your life, but you’re not alone in this. It’s never just ADHD—there’s always more going on beneath the surface. But the good news? You can tackle this, and you can get the right help to stop feeling stuck in that never-ending cycle of stress and burnout.
Remember: ADHD isn’t a failure of effort or willpower. It’s a condition that requires the right kind of support, and when you get that support, you can finally start thriving—without the chaos.