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
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ADHD is a brain-based condition that affects attention, organization, impulse control, and emotional regulation. It can affect children, teens, and adults.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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No. Shreveport Direct Care is a membership-based Direct Primary Care practice. Insurance is not required.
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Yes. We evaluate and treat ADHD in children, teens, and adults.
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No. Medication is one option, but ADHD care also includes sleep support, routines, organization strategies, lifestyle changes, and ongoing follow-up. Treatment is personalized.
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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.