Adult ADHD Treatment in New York City

Scott Shapiro, MD Adult ADHD Psychiatrist in NYC – Therapy + ADHD Medications Source: iStock photo Flytosky 11
Are you thinking of ADHD treatment?
Are you tired of feeling like you’re barely getting by?
Who do you see if you are having problems with focus, procrastination, time management or ADHD?
You’ve noticed lately that it’s becoming increasingly challenging to get things done. Everyone around you thinks you have it all together. But, you’re beginning to miss deadlines. You wake up feeling anxious and worried about facing another day. You are stressed about being behind on your work.
When you really think about it, you realize it’s been this way for a long time.
ADHD Therapy in NYC and NJ
For as long as you can remember, you’ve felt as though you were walking through a fog. It can seem as if there are cobwebs in your brain. You assumed this was simply how everyone experienced life and didn’t realize that some people can focus and stay on task with far less effort and stress.
You have always known you are intelligent and sensed that your potential exceeded your performance. Yet you couldn’t understand why it seemed to take three times as much effort to keep up.
Yes, you found ways to get by and even excelled in certain areas. But deep down, you carried the persistent fear that you were an imposter.
Adult ADHD Symptoms in High-Performing Adults
You may not look hyperactive. In fact, you may look successful. But inside, your mind rarely slows down. Sitting still is possible, yet relaxing is not. There is often a quiet restlessness beneath the surface.
Attention can be unpredictable. You can focus intensely on something interesting, even obsessively. But when a task feels dull, complex, or overwhelming, your brain seems to shut the door.
Executive function is the brain’s command center. It helps you plan, prioritize, organize, and begin. When it falters, life feels harder than it should. You miss small details and underestimate time, and start strong but struggle to finish.
Then there is the emotional side. Frustration comes quickly. Small setbacks feel bigger than they should. You may snap, withdraw, or become discouraged. Later, you wonder why you reacted so strongly. Over time, this cycle can erode confidence. You begin to question yourself. How can someone so capable feel so inconsistent?
For many adults, ADHD is not a lack of intelligence. It is a regulation problem. A timing problem. An activation problem. And when you understand that, the story begins to change.
ADHD Therapy in NYC and NJ
At work, people like you because you’re friendly and easy to work with. You have creative ideas and think outside the box. But when it’s time to follow through, things fall apart. You procrastinate or get stuck. Some of your ADHD symptoms include putting things off, having trouble starting tasks, getting distracted, feeling overwhelmed, and being restless. Then that same old feeling of being an imposter comes back again.
You usually have a strong vision of what you want, but you just can’t seem to make it happen. You’ve tried harder and harder to finish projects on time. While you’re great at some parts of your job, other important things, like timesheets, expense reports, tracking hours, and paperwork, keep getting pushed aside.
You’re left feeling confused and frustrated. Why do you keep procrastinating or missing your goals, even though they really matter to you?
You’ve read the books, gone to therapy, and listened to the podcasts. You even tried medication, but it didn’t feel like the full answer. The tools helped for a bit, but it always felt like you had to figure it all out on your own.
You’re tired. And you’re ready to find a real way out of this rut.
ADHD Therapy and Challenges at Work
In my practice, I’ve found that most adults with ADHD struggled as far back as elementary school. Their parents yelled at them about their poor grades and not doing their homework, but they didn’t think ADHD was “real,” so they were never formally tested.
Who Do I See for Help with Focus or ADHD?
Adults with ADHD often recall friends calling them “space cadets”. They were constantly losing their school supplies and forgetting things. Making friends was often difficult because they felt the other kids played by rules they had never been taught.
Many people never suspect ADHD because they weren’t hyper as children. They often daydreamed in class, and their teachers said, “You look like you’re in your own little world.” They found school stressful and overwhelming, with messy desks and poor time management.
As they progressed through junior high and high school, their parents may have established a rigorous, disciplined study and tutoring schedule. Because they were very forgetful, they took extensive notes in class and kept lists of all their “to-do” items.
They began earning good grades and were proud of their work ethic. But, they still couldn’t understand why it seemed to take so much more time to do their work than everyone else.
They were often anxious and fearful of failing or embarrassing themselves, and they spent significant time studying, worrying, and preparing. They performed well in high school and college and even went to graduate school, medical school or landed prestigious jobs. But it wasn’t done without a huge price to pay.
They have worked for many years and achieved significant success in their careers. And now, with a new promotion and extra responsibilities, they’re finding that their previous coping strategies are starting to fail and they need long-term solutions that will work.
I’ve tried therapy for adult ADHD before, and it didn’t help.
If you’ve tried therapy in the past, you may have been told that you had depression, OCD, or anxiety. Your previous therapists and psychiatrists probably attempted to treat your symptoms with antidepressants and benzodiazepines, but you found that these medications would often make things worse. You felt depressed, lethargic, and foggy.
Even if you have anxiety or depression, it can sometimes feel like a chicken-and-egg scenario because you’re not sure if your anxiety and depression are caused by underlying ADHD, or if your procrastination and disorganization are caused by depression or anxiety.
You’re tired of treading water and feeling like you are always just on the verge of drowning from your obligations. You start with all the motivation in the world, but the new plans, calendars, and changes never seem to last.
At the end of the day, you’ve tried treating depression and anxiety, and nothing has been effective, at least not in the long run. With the increasing demands of your job and your continued struggle with stress and time management, you’re ready to figure out an effective, long-term solution that treats you as a whole person instead of just as a set of symptoms.
Adult ADHD Treatment in NYC and NJ
You want step-by-step strategies to get organized, manage your time, complete your work, stay motivated, and stop procrastinating.
Imagine learning something concise and powerful where you apply a few simple, practical strategies that just work. Picture getting more done in less time.
In the past, you may have benefited from having accountability from your parents or a caring mentor. You’ve realized that if you had that now, you could be so much farther ahead. But you want more than just accountability; you want to work with an engaging expert who you can trust and who will create a customized plan just for you.
How I Treat Adult ADHD?
As one of New York City’s leading psychiatrists specializing in Adult ADHD, I see each patient as a whole person and not just a list of symptoms. My approach starts with a thorough, thoughtful assessment that looks at your full story, not just your diagnosis. From there, you can build a treatment plan that fits your real life and addresses your challenges. You deserve to have your symptoms treated and to be able to live your life and achieve your goals.
I combine evidence-based psychiatry with practical, personalized, and sustainable therapy practices. This means you’ll not only learn how to manage your ADHD symptoms, but also how to handle the anxiety, overwhelm, or depression that often come with it. For some patients, medication is helpful. For others, it doesn’t. We will discuss a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan tailored to your challenges and goals. ake a thoughtful, individualized approach to medication.
You may have tried therapy or psychiatry before and felt like something was missing. Maybe you didn’t want to rely on medication alone without learning real strategies. Or maybe talk therapy felt helpful in the moment but didn’t give you tools you could use day-to-day.
That’s where my approach is different.
As a psychiatrist who specializes in Adult ADHD treatment, I help you create lasting change by combining smart strategies with expert support. Patients often tell me that working with me feels more like having a coach or trainer than a typical therapist. Our sessions are active, goal-oriented, and grounded in real progress. You’ll walk away each week with strategies that actually work—and that help you feel excited about your life again.
Adult ADHD Treatment in NYC and NJ
I know you want to leave each week feeling better, with a specific plan that includes written steps and strategies to deal with potential pitfalls. And each session builds on the last, celebrating your wins, building on your gains, and making progress with work, your personal life, and relationships.
Imagine having a resource that helps you build a plan and to put your plan into action. By staying motivated and achieving your goals, you’ll feel amazed at your accomplishments and the changes you’re making. You’ll be able to sit down at your desk and know exactly what you need to do, without all the distractions getting in your way.
You’ll find balance and a sense of calm, clear focus and a peaceful mind. Your whole desk will no longer be in your inbox. Your colleagues will notice your improvement, and your relationships will feel more complete and fulfilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adult ADHD includes symptoms of inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity. Many of the most challenging symptoms associated with ADHD actually are not in the DSM-5. These include challenges with prioritizing, strategizing, and emotional regulation. Some of the more common symptoms of Adult ADHD include challenges with focus, procrastination, and organization. ADHD causes significant lifelong impairment in those it affects. Left untreated, it affects financial status, educational achievements, relationships, and health. “Overall, people with ADHD have less annual income,” Biederman said. “This was true for males and females. Those with ADHD had income approximately $10,791 lower per year among high school graduates, and about $4,334 lower for college graduates than their counterparts without ADHD.” (Reinberg, Steven; Health Day Reporter, 2004) A person with Adult ADHD often has the following challenges: There are many other underlying psychological, psychiatric, and medical illnesses that can cause similar symptoms. Thus, it is imperative that someone sees a highly experienced professional, such as a psychiatrist, who specializes in Adult ADHD to determine the diagnosis and most effective treatment. Some of the other potential causes of the above symptoms include the following: ADHD in women often can present differently than in men. Women more often have the inattentive type of ADHD rather than the hyperactive type. Therefore, many woman were not diagnosed as children. In addition, women with ADHD have hormonal changes that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Women also may have different coping strategies compared to men. Often, men externalize their difficulties and challenges that present as signs of irritability or anger. Conversely, women often internalize their challenges and difficulties which puts them at increased risk for depression and anxiety. This is very important with the impact on treatment. Often. healthcare providers focus on the depression and anxiety for treatment instead of the ADHD. Treatments for anxiety and depression can exacerbate the ADHD symptoms. It is essential to distinguish the conditions of just ADHD versus a person who has both anxiety/depression and ADHD. For example, if a woman's depression is predominantly due to the ADHD, then treating the ADHD will often resolve the depression. What are the signs of ADHD in an adult?
What does untreated ADHD look like in adults?
What could be mistaken for ADHD?
How does ADHD look different in women?
I can help. Call 212-631-8010 or email scott@scottshapiromd.com to schedule your free phone consultation.