ADHD Evaluation & Treatment in Shreveport, Louisiana

Care for Children, Teens, and Adults

If you or your child struggles with focus, organization, follow-through, or emotional overwhelm, you are not alone. ADHD affects children, teens, and adults—and many people live for years without clear answers.

At Shreveport Direct Care, ADHD care is different:
- Longer visits
- One consistent physician
- Thoughtful diagnosis
- Ongoing support—not rushed refills 

This page explains ADHD, how it shows up at different ages, and how we evaluate and treat it with care and clarity.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a brain-based condition that affects how the brain regulates attention, impulses, and energy.

ADHD is not:
- Laziness
- A lack of intelligence
- A character flaw
- A parenting failure

ADHD is:
- Common
- Real
- Medical
- Treatable 

People with ADHD often work harder than others just to keep up.

The Three Main Types of ADHD

ADHD looks different from person to person.

1. Inattentive Type

  • Trouble focusing

  • Forgetfulness

  • Disorganization

  • Easily distracted

2. Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

  • Restlessness

  • Fidgeting

  • Talking excessively

  • Acting before thinking

3. Combined Type

  • Features of both inattentive and hyperactive types

This is the most common presentation.  

ADHD Symptoms Across the Lifespan

ADHD in Young Children

ADHD may show up as:
- Difficulty sitting still
- Trouble following instructions
- Emotional outbursts
- Frequent school concerns 

Not every active child has ADHD. That’s why proper evaluation matters.

ADHD in Teens

Teen ADHD often looks like:
- Falling grades
- Missed assignments
- Poor time management
- Anxiety or low confidence
- Emotional shutdown or frustration 

Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and academic pressure can worsen symptoms.

ADHD in Adults

Many adults were never diagnosed as children.


Common adult symptoms include:
- Chronic disorganization
- Missed deadlines
- Trouble finishing tasks
- Restlessness
- Burnout
- Anxiety or depression

Many adults come in saying: 

“I’ve always felt behind.”

Conditions That Can Look Like ADHD

One reason ADHD is often misdiagnosed is that other conditions can mimic it.


We carefully evaluate for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep disorders
- Learning disorders
- Trauma
- Thyroid problems
- Medication side effects 

A rushed visit often misses these details. We don’t.

Why ADHD Is Often Missed

ADHD is commonly overlooked because:
- Smart kids compensate
- Quiet kids go unnoticed
- Girls present differently
- Adults are told “you’re just stressed”
- Symptoms overlap with anxiety or depression 

A proper diagnosis often brings relief—not labels.

How ADHD Should Be Diagnosed

There is no single blood test or scan for ADHD.

A quality evaluation includes:
- Detailed history (childhood to present)
- Symptom questionnaires
- Functional impact (school, work, relationships)
- Review of sleep, mood, stress, and health
- Rule-out of other causes 

ADHD should never be diagnosed in a 5-minute visit.

Our ADHD Evaluation Process at Shreveport Direct Care

Step 1: Pre-Visit Intake

You complete structured forms before your visit so we can focus on what matters most.

Step 2: Comprehensive Visit

We take the time to:
- Review your story
- Identify patterns
- Clarify symptoms
- Understand daily challenges 

No rushing. No assumptions.

Step 3: Clear Diagnosis

If ADHD is present, we explain:
- What type
- Why it matters
- How it affects daily life 

If ADHD is not the main issue, we explain that too.

Step 4: Personalized Treatment Plan

You receive a plan tailored to your life—not a template.

ADHD Treatment Options

Medication (When Appropriate)

Medication can be life-changing when used correctly.
We focus on:
- Thoughtful selection
- Low-and-slow dosing
- Side effect monitoring
- Ongoing check-ins 

Medication is never automatic and never rushed.

Non-Medication Strategies

Medication alone is rarely enough.


We also address:
- Sleep quality
- Nutrition
- Daily routines
- Exercise
- Organization systems
- Stress management 

Small changes can lead to big improvements.

ADHD and Sleep

Poor sleep worsens ADHD symptoms.


We routinely address:
- Bedtime routines
- Screen exposure
- Sleep disorders
- Stimulant timing 

Better sleep often improves focus more than expected.

ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression

Many patients have both ADHD and anxiety.

Sometimes:
- ADHD causes anxiety
- Anxiety hides ADHD 

Treating one without addressing the other often fails. We treat the whole picture.

ADHD in Adults: Rewriting the Story

Many adults feel shame about years of struggle.

A diagnosis can:
- Explain lifelong patterns
- Reduce self-blame
- Improve work performance
- Improve relationships
- Improve quality of life 

You are not broken. Your brain just works differently.

ADHD in Children & Teens: Partnering With Parents

We support families—not just prescriptions.

That includes:
- Education for parents
- School communication guidance
- Behavior strategies
- Growth and development monitoring


The goal is confidence, not compliance.

Why ADHD Might Be Missed

ADHD is often missed because it doesn’t look the same in every person—and many people get good at “hiding” it.

ADHD may be missed when:
- A child is smart and gets decent grades, but struggles with organization and follow-through
- A teen looks “unmotivated,” when they’re actually overwhelmed and stuck
- A girl is quiet, daydreamy, or anxious instead of hyperactive
- An adult is labeled “stressed” or “burned out,” when ADHD has been there for years
- Anxiety, depression, or poor sleep are treated first, while the root cause is never found 

ADHD is not just about paying attention. It’s often about time management, task starting, organization, and emotional control. That’s why a careful evaluation matters—and why rushed visits so often miss the full picture.

Why Direct Primary Care Is Ideal for ADHD

Traditional healthcare struggles with ADHD care because:
- Visits are rushed
- Follow-up is hard
- Providers change
- Questions go unanswered

Direct Primary Care allows:
- Longer visits
- Same-day or next-day access
- Direct messaging
- Ongoing adjustments without extra visit fees
- A real doctor-patient relationship 

ADHD needs continuity. DPC delivers it.

ADHD Care for Shreveport & Bossier City

If ADHD is affecting your life—or your child’s future—you don’t have to keep guessing.
Clear answers and thoughtful care make a difference.


📍 Shreveport Direct Care
📞 Call or Text: 318–588–7060
🌐 https://www.shreveportdirectcare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ADHD is a brain-based condition that affects attention, organization, impulse control, and emotional regulation. It can affect children, teens, and adults.

  • No. ADHD often begins in childhood but commonly continues into adulthood. Symptoms may change over time, which is why many adults are diagnosed later in life.

  • ADHD is often missed because:

    • Smart or high-achieving children compensate

    • Quiet kids don’t draw attention

    • Girls often show less hyperactivity

    • Adults are told they are “just stressed”

    • Symptoms overlap with anxiety, depression, or poor sleep

    A careful evaluation helps uncover the real cause.

  • Yes. ADHD can cause chronic stress, which may lead to anxiety or depression. In other cases, anxiety or depression can hide underlying ADHD. Treating only one often doesn’t fully help.

  • There is no single test for ADHD. A proper diagnosis includes a detailed history, review of symptoms across settings, assessment of daily life impact, and ruling out other conditions. ADHD cannot be diagnosed in a rushed visit.

  • No. Shreveport Direct Care is a membership-based Direct Primary Care practice. Insurance is not required.

  • Yes. We evaluate and treat ADHD in children, teens, and adults.

  • No. Medication is one option, but ADHD care also includes sleep support, routines, organization strategies, lifestyle changes, and ongoing follow-up. Treatment is personalized.

  • Long enough to do it right. ADHD evaluations at Shreveport Direct Care are unhurried and focused on understanding the full picture.

Finally, ADHD Care That Takes You Seriously

If you or your child struggles with focus, organization, follow-through, or emotional overwhelm, you are not alone. ADHD affects children, teens, and adults—and many people live for years without clear answers.