Adult ADHD: An East-West, Mind-Body Approach
For many years, ADHD was thought of almost exclusively as a childhood condition—something kids “grew out of.” Today, science is telling us a very different story. We now understand that ADHD often continues into adulthood, though it may look quite different from how it did in childhood.
Many adults, especially women, are only now realizing that long-standing struggles with focus, organization, emotional overwhelm, or chronic exhaustion may have a name. More importantly, they may finally have supportive options for healing and balance.
Why Adult ADHD Is Being Recognized Now
Modern research shows that ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental pattern, not simply a childhood phase. As we mature, symptoms often shift:
Hyperactivity may become inner restlessness or mental overdrive
Impulsivity may show up as emotional reactivity or difficulty with boundaries
Inattention may appear as chronic disorganization, forgetfulness, or mental fatigue
Greater awareness, improved screening, and open conversations around mental health have helped many adults finally receive clarity.
ADHD in Adult Women vs. Men
One important discovery is that ADHD does not look the same in everyone.
In adult women, ADHD often shows up as:
Difficulty focusing or finishing tasks
Feeling mentally scattered or overwhelmed
Anxiety, self-doubt, or low self-esteem
Emotional sensitivity or burnout from “holding it all together”
Trouble with time management, despite working very hard
Because these symptoms are often internal rather than disruptive, women have historically been underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, sometimes being told they are simply anxious, depressed, or stressed.
In adult men, ADHD more commonly appears as:
Physical or verbal restlessness
Impulsivity or risk-taking
Difficulty with patience or frustration tolerance
Earlier diagnosis due to more outward symptoms
By adulthood, the difference between men and women narrows, though women are still more likely to be overlooked.
How Common Is Adult ADHD?
Current estimates suggest:
2–3% of adults worldwide meet criteria for ADHD
In the U.S., about 6% of adults report having been diagnosed
Men are still diagnosed more often than women, but the gap is much smaller in adulthood than in childhood
These numbers also mean many people are still undiagnosed—especially those who have learned to “push through” at great personal cost.
How ADHD Can Affect Daily Life
When left unrecognized or unsupported, adult ADHD can impact many areas of life:
Work: difficulty with organization, deadlines, follow-through, or burnout
Relationships: misunderstandings, emotional reactivity, or feeling “not enough”
Self-esteem: years of feeling flawed or failing despite best efforts
Health: chronic stress, poor sleep, anxiety, or depression
ADHD is not a character flaw. It is a nervous system pattern, and patterns can be supported and regulated.
Conventional Treatment of ADHD
Besides Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), common medications prescribed for the treatment of ADHD include methylphenidate-based meds like Ritalin and Concerta, amphetamine-based meds like Adderall and Vyvanse, and Atomoxetine-based meds like Strattera. Unfortunately, they all carry side effects like nausea, stomach upsets, decreased appetite, insomnia, increased heart rate, irritability, and increased anxiety.
Chinese Medicine’s Perspective on ADHD
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we do not see ADHD as a single disease. Instead, we understand it as a pattern of imbalance involving the Heart, which houses the spirit (Shen)and is prone to being affected by “Fire imbalance”, as well as the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney network systems.
Common patterns we see in adults include:
Heart Fire* Imbalance: racing thoughts, emotional unrest, poor sleep
Spleen Deficiency: difficulty focusing, mental fatigue, overthinking
Liver Stagnation: frustration, irritability, tension
Kidney Weakness: long-standing issues with attention, resilience, and stress tolerance
A Note about Fire*
In Chinese medicine, Fire represents your mental function. If Fire is harnessed and focused, it can lead to tremendous creative output and productivity. If Fire is scattered, it’s useless and often leads to inattention, nervousness, and even self-destruction. From this perspective, treatment is not about suppressing symptoms, but about restoring the balance of Fire in the Heart and stability to the nervous system.
An Integrative Approach to Support Adult ADHD
At Tao of Wellness, we take a whole-person approach, often combining Eastern and Western care when appropriate.
Integrative support includes:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture to calm the nervous system, regulate emotions, improve sleep, and reduce stress reactivity. Research on acupuncture for ADHD, especially in adults, shows promise. Acupuncture has been found to provide results comparable to medication for focus and attention, as well as mood regulation. While it is not a replacement for medical care, it can be a valuable complementary support, particularly for stress, sleep, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
Mind-Body Practices
Qi gong, tai chi, and meditation to improve self-regulation, grounding, and clarity. Studies of meditation-based interventions, including mindfulness, tai chi, and qi gong, show moderate improvements in core ADHD symptoms and executive function compared with control conditions. Benefits are generally greater when practices are consistent, like 15 minutes each time, four times a week. Try Calm Meditation daily and see the results for yourself.
Herbs & Nutraceuticals
Research into supplements and plant-based therapies for ADHD shows benefits. Some promising candidates include nutrients and botanicals that support neurotransmitter balance, brain health, and stress resilience.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil):
One of the best-studied supplements for attention is omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA. Meta-analyses show they may modestly improve attention and behavioral symptoms in ADHD populations. Omega-3 works by supporting neuronal membranes, anti-inflammatory pathways, and neurotransmitter function.
Ginkgo:
Probably the most-studied herb for cognitive function. It has been found to support cerebral circulation and mental clarity. Ginkgo may help as an adjunctive treatment, as patients report decreased brain fog, improved processing, and increased cognitive alertness.
Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)
Long recognized for its adaptogenic properties, Ginseng has been used traditionally to support mental energy, resilience, and sustained attention. Research shows, primarily in pediatric patients, improvements in inattention and hyperactivity. Adult studies show that Ginseng supports cognitive endurance and stress regulation.
Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi)
This little berry packs a punch as human trials show improved attention and mental performance during stress and fatigue. Traditionally used to improve focus under stress and reduce “mental leakage”, it's often used clinically by TCM doctors for adults whose focus worsens with stress, anxiety, or poor sleep, or from overstimulation.
Oriental Arborvitae Seed (Bai Zi Ren)
Anxiety often interferes with concentration. Oriental Arborvitae seed is traditionally used to calm anxiety and support emotional regulation. Preclinical studies show that it has anti-anxiety effects through GABA pathways and helps with insomnia; therefore, it is best used for anxiety-related distractibility and poor sleep.
Compound Herbal Formulas
Several research studies on combination herbal formulas showed improvements in inattention and impulse control in clinical trials. Our doctors at Tao of Wellness are experts at custom formulation specific to each patient’s unique health needs.
The Fire Core Element
The Fire Element is associated with the Shen or spirit, heart function, and circulation. One key ingredient of the fire element is Ginkgo biloba, an herb traditionally used in Chinese medicine to improve cognitive function, heart health, and circulation.
The Fire Core Element supports healthy circulation, boosts metabolism, reduces stress, promotes a confident mood, strengthens decisiveness, and supports creativity and well-being. Ingredients include Ginkgo leaf, Sharp-Leaf Galangal fruit, Schisandra fruit, Oriental Arborvitae seed, Asian Ginseng root, Dong Quai, Jujube seed, Lycium fruit, Rehmannia tuber, Chinese Asparagus root tuber, and Asian Water Plantain rhizome.
Adult ADHD doesn’t have to be a source of ongoing frustration. By integrating traditional Chinese wisdom with modern research, you can build a balanced, proactive strategy, one that supports focus, calm, clarity, and whole-person well-being. We invite you to reach out to Tao of Wellness, and our team will be happy to design a personalized program just for you.