Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or a combination of these. It begins in childhood and often continues into adolescence and adulthood, although symptoms can change with age. Some people still use the older term ADD for the mostly inattentive type.
At Paramount Healthcare Services in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Chidiogo Nwokike, DNP, PMHNP-BC, provides ADHD evaluation and treatment for children, teens and adults, in our office or by telehealth.
Difficulty sustaining attention, organizing tasks, following instructions, remembering responsibilities, or completing work.
Restlessness, excessive activity or talking, difficulty waiting, interrupting others, and acting without considering consequences.
Significant symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Common signs include distractibility, forgetfulness, losing items, poor organization, careless mistakes, difficulty listening, and trouble completing tasks that require sustained mental effort.
Symptoms may include fidgeting, restlessness, excessive talking, difficulty remaining seated, interrupting, impatience, and impulsive decisions.
Children may have trouble sitting still, daydream, lose things, rush through schoolwork or struggle with friendships. Teens often struggle with homework, organization, emotional regulation, impulse control and risky decisions. In adults, ADHD may look like restlessness, poor time management, missed deadlines, unfinished projects, forgetfulness, emotional ups and downs or difficulty managing work and relationships.
ADHD is often missed in girls and women because their symptoms tend to be more inattentive and less disruptive. Read more in ADHD in women, signs of ADHD in adults and signs your child may have ADHD.
Occasional distraction or high energy is normal. ADHD symptoms are more persistent, inconsistent with developmental level, occur across important settings, and cause meaningful impairment in everyday functioning.
There is no single known cause. ADHD has a strong genetic and neurodevelopmental component, and research suggests differences in brain networks involved in attention, executive functioning, and impulse control may contribute. Certain prenatal, developmental, and environmental factors may also influence risk. ADHD is not simply caused by poor parenting, lack of discipline, or sugar intake.
ADHD often occurs alongside other conditions, which can make it harder to recognize. Common co occurring conditions include anxiety, depression, learning disorders such as dyslexia, sleep problems, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), autism spectrum disorder, tic disorders and substance use. Risk factors include a family history of ADHD, premature birth or low birth weight, and exposure to tobacco, alcohol or other substances before birth.
Because conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders and thyroid problems can look like ADHD, a careful evaluation matters before starting treatment.
Untreated or poorly controlled symptoms may contribute to academic difficulties, workplace problems, strained relationships, low self-confidence, injuries, risky behavior, and difficulty managing responsibilities.
An ADHD diagnosis is based on a complete psychiatric evaluation, not a single quick test. At our Las Vegas clinic, an evaluation may include:
For children, input from parents and teachers is especially important, because symptoms need to appear in more than one setting.
No blood test, brain scan, or single questionnaire can confirm ADHD. Clinicians also evaluate for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, learning difficulties, substance use, and medical conditions that can produce similar symptoms.
Current diagnostic criteria require several symptoms to have been present before age 12, with symptoms occurring in two or more settings and causing clinically meaningful impairment.
Treatment depends on age, symptom severity, daily challenges, medical history and any co occurring conditions. Most people do best with a plan that combines medication when appropriate, behavioral strategies and support at school or work. For young children, parent training and behavior therapy are usually recommended first.
Behavioral strategies can improve organization, routines, time management, task completion, emotional regulation, and self-monitoring. Cognitive behavioral approaches may also help adolescents and adults manage executive-function difficulties.
Parent behavior-management training can help families create structure, reinforce positive behaviors, improve communication, and manage challenging symptoms. For younger children, behavioral interventions and parent training are especially important components of care.
When medication is a good fit, medication management may include:
Because stimulants are controlled medications, your provider will review your history carefully, start with a dose that fits you and schedule regular follow up visits to check focus, sleep, appetite, mood, heart rate and blood pressure, and to adjust the plan as needed.
Consistent sleep, physical activity, structured routines, calendars, reduced distractions, and breaking large tasks into smaller steps can support symptom management. Regular follow-up also helps determine whether treatment remains effective as life demands and symptoms change.
Consider an evaluation when attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, or organizational difficulties consistently interfere with school, work, relationships, emotional well-being, or daily functioning.
Las Vegas runs around the clock, and many of our patients work night shifts, rotating schedules or long hours in hospitality, gaming, healthcare and other demanding jobs. Irregular sleep and unpredictable schedules can make ADHD symptoms worse, so we build treatment plans and routines that fit real life, not just a nine to five day.
For students, we can talk with families about school supports such as a 504 plan or an IEP through the Clark County School District, along with practical tools like planners, reminders and visual schedules.
Paramount Healthcare Services is located at 1705 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104, and we see patients from across the Las Vegas Valley, including Henderson, Summerlin and North Las Vegas. Secure telehealth visits are available for patients in Nevada. We accept Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare and Medicaid, and offer affordable cash pay options.
If attention, focus, impulsivity or restlessness are affecting school, work or relationships, schedule a confidential ADHD evaluation with Paramount Healthcare Services. Call +1 (702) 514-4057, email support@paramounthcslv.com or book online. Visits are available in our Las Vegas office or by telehealth.
Providing compassionate, professional, and reliable psychiatric care in Las Vegas. We are dedicated to quality mental health services and supporting healthier lives.
