ADHD Psychiatrist in Cherry Hill, NJ – Children, Teens, and Adults
Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common and most easily treated conditions we evaluate at Eastern Psychiatric. Many people associate ADHD only with hyperactive children, but in reality it frequently affects adolescents, college students, and adults, often in ways that are subtle, exhausting, and misidentified as underperforming, laziness, or burnout. Our practice provides comprehensive ADHD evaluation and medication management for children, teens, and adults in Cherry Hill and throughout South Jersey, including Haddonfield, Voorhees, Marlton, and surrounding communities.
What ADHD Actually Looks Like
ADHD is a disorder of executive functioning — the brain’s ability to regulate attention, motivation, organization, working memory, and emotional control.
Many patients come in saying:
- "I know what I need to do but I can’t start it"
- "I’m constantly overwhelmed by simple tasks"
- "I work twice as hard for the same result"
- "My child melts down over homework that should be easy"
ADHD is not a lack of intelligence or effort. It is a neurodevelopmental difference affecting the brain’s regulation systems.
ADHD in Children and Adolescents
Children with ADHD often struggle in ways that are misinterpreted as behavior problems or anxiety. Early identification can significantly improve academic confidence and family functioning.
Common Signs in Children
- Homework avoidance or extreme time needed to complete assignments
- Emotional outbursts
- Difficulty following multi‑step directions
- Forgetfulness
- Disorganization and lost items
- Inconsistent academic performance "They start out strong each year"
- Bedtime battles or morning chaos
- Social misunderstandings or impulsive comments
Many children — especially bright children — compensate for years before school demands exceed coping ability, often around transitions to middle school, high school, college, graduate school or the workforce.
ADHD in Teenagers
Teen ADHD often becomes more visible when independence increases.
Typical concerns include:
- Missing assignments despite understanding content
- Late‑night work marathons
- Procrastination followed by panic
- Anxiety related to academic pressure
- Declining grades in middle or high school
- Conflict over screens, sleep, or motivation
We also evaluate ADHD in high‑performing students preparing for college where organizational demands increase significantly.
ADHD in Adults
Many adults are first diagnosed in their 20s–40s after years of compensating. Adult ADHD often presents differently than childhood ADHD.
Common Adult Presentations
- Chronic procrastination despite strong intentions
- Difficulty starting tasks
- Time blindness and lateness
- Mental exhaustion after routine responsibilities
- Career underperformance relative to ability
- Disorganization affecting work or home life
- Emotional overwhelm or irritability
- Feeling "burned out" since adolescence
Many adults previously treated for anxiety or depression discover ADHD was the underlying driver of chronic stress.
Our ADHD Evaluation Process
We do not rely on quick questionnaires alone. ADHD requires careful differentiation from anxiety, depression, learning differences, sleep problems, and stress.
Our evaluation typically includes:
- Completion of multiple scales and forms
- Detailed developmental and life history
- Executive functioning profile
- Academic/work functioning review
- Emotional assessment
- Screening for co‑occurring conditions
- Discussion of strengths and coping strategies
The goal is not simply diagnosis — it is understanding you and why daily tasks require disproportionate effort.
Treatment Options
Treatment is individualized and may include education, behavioral strategies, and medication when appropriate.
Medication Management
For many patients, medication significantly improves task initiation, organization, and mental clarity. Treatment is carefully titrated and monitored for effectiveness and tolerability.
We discuss:
- Expected benefits
- Common misconceptions
- Safety monitoring
- School/work impact
- Long‑term planning
Our approach is collaborative and conservative, focused on function rather than simply increasing doses.
Why Families Seek Out‑of‑Network ADHD Care
Families frequently seek specialized ADHD evaluation because our evaluation is not brief. Brief evaluations may miss complex presentations such as:
- High‑functioning ADHD
- Gifted students with executive dysfunction
- ADHD vs anxiety overlap
- Later‑diagnosed adults
Being out-of-network allows for longer visits which allow for more accurate diagnosis and thoughtful treatment planning.
What to Expect at the First Visit
During the first appointment we aim to understand your history, not just symptoms. You will leave with a clear explanation of findings and next steps. Follow‑up visits focus on functional improvement — school, work, organization, and daily life — rather than only symptom rating scales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults really have ADHD if they did well in school?
Yes. Many bright individuals compensate for years until life demands exceed coping strategies.
Do psychiatrists prescribe ADHD medication?
Yes. Psychiatrists are medical doctors trained to diagnose ADHD and manage medications when appropriate.
Will stimulant medication change personality?
When properly prescribed, medication should improve clarity and consistency, not suppress personality.
Does my child need psychological testing first?
Not always. A comprehensive clinical evaluation often determines whether formal testing is necessary.
Is ADHD overdiagnosed?
Some populations are overdiagnosed while others are underdiagnosed. Careful evaluation is essential.
How often are follow‑ups needed?
Frequency depends on treatment stage and stability, and is discussed individually.
Serving South Jersey
We provide ADHD evaluation and treatment for patients in Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Voorhees, Marlton, Moorestown, and surrounding communities.
If you suspect ADHD may be affecting daily life, early understanding can significantly reduce stress for both children and adults.
Contact Eastern Psychiatric at 856-830-5413 to schedule an evaluation.