Patricia Brooks, MSN, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC

I've struggled with ADHD for as long as I can remember-feeling scattered, forgetful, impulsive, and constantly in that "I just walked into a room and forgot why I'm here" mode. I could usually hold it together on the outside-good grades, meeting deadlines, doing all the "responsible" things-but behind the scenes it often meant procrastination, last-minute panic, and plenty of late nights wondering why I didn't start earlier. When my middle son was diagnosed with ADHD at 18, it was one of those full-circle moments-he looked at me and said, "Mom... you definitely have this too". When I brought my concerns to my doctor I was told I'd been "compensating" well, so no real treatment was needed. Now as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I work every day with people navigating ADHD, and I've learned there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Medication can be helpful for some, but I also see how often things like sleep, stress, and daily habits influence how the brain functions. That's why I focus on a more whole-body approach, helping people understand what's actually driving their symptoms and building a more personalized path toward clarity, balance, and better daily functioning.