This information is provided for informational purposes for those who have been clinically diagnosed with ADHD and have questions about the range of treatment options available.  It is not intended to advocate any specific course of treatment. For those diagnosed with ADHD, a course of treatment should only be established in direct conjunction with a treating physician. 

In many clinical settings, stimulant medications are often considered among the first options for managing ADHD symptoms, when appropriate and under the supervision of a licensed prescriber. Examples of stimulants are Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, and Concerta. But for some people, stimulants aren’t the best option or may not be the treatment of choice. In these cases, non-stimulant medications may be considered as an alternative for managing ADHD symptoms, depending on individual needs and under clinical supervision.

Types of non-stimulants

Clinicians may prescribe or discuss several categories of non-stimulant medications as part of ADHD care, when warranted by diagnosis and specific patient circumstances. This range of non-stimulant options could include, based on the circumstances:

• ADHD-specific non-stimulants
• Antidepressants
• Blood pressure medications

Who uses non-stimulants

Some people experience unpleasant or severe side effects when they take stimulants. Others have pre-existing health conditions, such as thyroid or heart issues, which means they may not react well to a stimulant. And others may have preferences for non-stimulants over stimulants for other reasons.  A patient should not make these determinations on their own, but only in collaboration with their treatment physician.

For example, some FDA-approved non-stimulants, such as Qelbree, have properties that may align with individual lifestyle or sleep-schedule needs, as determined by a healthcare provider. They can be taken at any time of day, and they don’t have the wakefulness side effect that many stimulants have.  The patient’s healthcare provider can determine what’s appropriate for the circumstances.

As another example, if a patient has a mood disorder along with ADHD, a non-stimulant may be a good choice. Another situation where a non-stimulant might be preferable is when the patient has been on stimulants, but doesn’t feel like they help. Or maybe they used to work, but they don’t seem to anymore, even after the patient has tried various kinds. In these cases, a physician may suggest that the patient try a non-stimulant medication or possibly add one to the stimulant, depending on the situation. 

Stimulants vs. non-stimulants

All medications should be taken only as prescribed and under the supervision of a licensed clinician.

¹ Advokat, C. (2013). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Stimulant Medications as Cognitive Enhancers. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 7:82. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2013.00082

ADHD-specific non-stimulants

These non-stimulant medications are among those approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically to treat ADHD. Note that this list may evolve over time. Note that all of these can only be prescribed by an appropriately licensed clinician when warranted by an ADHD diagnosis.

Strattera (atomoxetine)

Strattera (atomoxetine) is the first non-stimulant that the FDA approved for treating ADHD in 2002.

How it works: Norepinephrine is a chemical messenger in the brain called a neurotransmitter. It affects memory, sleep cycle, mood, attention, arousal, and alertness. Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. That means it boosts the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This mechanism is thought to influence symptoms such as hyperactivity and inattention.

Qelbree (viloxazine)

The FDA approved this non-stimulant for treating ADHD in adults in May 2022.

How it works: Like Strattera, Qelbree is an SNRI that increases the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. It may also be prescribed in some instances involving anxiety or depression, as determined by a healthcare provider.

Intuniv ER (guanfacine)

Intuniv ER is an extended-release medication that’s typically used to treat high blood pressure. It can be used alone or in addition to a stimulant.

How it works: Intuniv ER decreases adrenaline levels and can improve ADHD symptoms.

Kapvay ER (clonidine)

Kapvay ER is also an extended-release medication that’s typically used for high blood pressure. 

How it works: Kapvay ER reduces blood pressure and boosts norepinephrine in the brain. 

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat ADHD symptoms, especially if one has depression or anxiety along with ADHD. They’re usually not as effective as stimulants or ADHD-specific non-stimulants. But a stimulant might be added to these if the treating physician deems it is needed. Use of antidepressants for ADHD may be considered ‘off-label’ in certain cases; such decisions must be made by a licensed prescriber familiar with patient’s medical history.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) 

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is used to treat depression, help people stop smoking, and prevent depression in people with seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. It’s the most prescribed antidepressant for ADHD. 

How it works: Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitor, or NDRI. It increases the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which can decrease ADHD symptoms.

Effexor and Effexor XR (venlafaxine)

These are newer antidepressants that a doctor might prescribe for patients who have depression as well as ADHD.

How it works: Effexor is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. It boosts the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain, which can help your concentration and mood.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Research has found that tricyclic antidepressants such as Pamelor (nortriptyline), Tofranil (imipramine), and Norpramin (desipramine) improve ADHD symptoms in some people. However, the side effects of these medications can be unpleasant. They’re considered a third-line treatment for ADHD.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, or MAOIs

A category of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs — particularly Nardil (phenelzine) and Parnate (tranylcypromine) — can help improve symptoms of ADHD. They’re not used very often, though, because they can have major side effects and serious interactions with other medications and certain foods.

Blood pressure medications

Tenex (guanfacine) and Catapres (clonidine) are sometimes used to treat ADHD. These are the immediate-release forms of the FDA-approved versions, though Tenex and Catapres aren’t technically approved for treating ADHD. These medications are sometimes prescribed ‘off-label’ for ADHD symptoms; off-label prescribing is at the clinician’s discretion based on individual clinical judgment.

The Physician Role is Critical in Identifying Best Treatment Paths

If a patient has already been diagnosed with ADHD, any course of treatment must be in conjunction with the treating physician. Patients considering changes to their ADHD medication should consult a licensed healthcare provider.  A patient might need a complete change, or may just need to add a non-stimulant to a regimen, but the treating physician would offer this guidance. 

Clinically reviewed by Michele Musto, M.D., FAAFP. Dr. Michele Musto is a board-certified family medicine physician and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians with more than two decades of experience in clinical practice and hospital medicine. She has served as a hospitalist, medical director, and educator, providing comprehensive care to patients across diverse healthcare settings. Dr. Musto completed her residency in Family Medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine and earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the International University of the Health Sciences.

Clinically reviewed by Barry K. Herman, M.D., M.M.M. Dr. Herman is a dual board-certified adult psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatrist with over three decades of experience in clinical practice, industry, digital health, and organized medicine leadership. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at Mentavi Health and has held senior medical and executive roles in the pharmaceutical industry and other leading organizations in digital health and therapeutics. Dr. Herman earned his M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine and a Master of Medical Management from Tulane University.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., November 11, 2025 (Newswire.com) –Mentavi Health, a leader in evidence-based digital mental health care, has launched Mentavi Concierge, its next-generation AI support assistant that enhances the digital health journey of visitors and patients while keeping human clinicians at the center of care.

Mentavi Concierge represents the company’s belief in the ethical use of AI: as a powerful tool for access, efficiency, and personalization – but never as a replacement for human clinical judgment or care. Mentavi continues to exclusively use licensed human psychologists for diagnosis and human clinicians for treatment.

“Our leverage of AI is aimed at providing enhanced customer efficiencies and experiences as we continue to scale – and complements, not replaces, the work of our staff,” said Keith Brophy, CEO of Mentavi Health. “This technology, the way we are implementing it, is patient-lifting, not job-replacing.”

Enhancing Patient Access and Confidence

Mentavi Concierge assists individuals at the earliest stage of their mental health journey – when they are exploring services, seeking clarity, and often waiting for human support. It provides immediate, accurate answers to questions such as:

• “What services are available in my state?”
• “How does the diagnostic process work?”
• “What happens if I find out I have ADHD?”

Mentavi Concierge offers patients an interactive, trustworthy experience on the Mentavi website, guiding them toward human-led evaluation and care while staying strictly within regulatory boundaries.

“Patients today want the easy access of online care,” Brophy added. “But they also want the reassurance that committed humans remain front and center. We built Mentavi Concierge to reflect that balance.”

Built for Trust, Safety, and Compliance

Mentavi’s development team designed Mentavi Concierge using proprietary, self-hosted AI infrastructure built on advanced agentic frameworks. The application runs within Mentavi’s secure environment, avoiding the risks associated with third-party AI integrations.

From the outset, the system was architected with patient safety and regulatory compliance as non-negotiable priorities. Mentavi Concierge does not engage in clinical dialogue, nor does it provide treatment recommendations, and it will defer to Mentavi’s human clinicians for diagnostic and therapeutic guidance.

“We are excited about taking a significant step toward improving healthcare journeys with a responsible AI framework,” said Angie Lillie, chief compliance officer at Mentavi. “This aligns with the growing body of state and federal regulations around the ethical use of AI in healthcare.”

A Proven Foundation of Clinical Rigor

The introduction of Mentavi Concierge follows Mentavi’s recently published peer-reviewed clinical trial in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, which validated the company’s asynchronous online diagnostic assessment for ADHD in adults. The study confirmed that Mentavi’s digital-first diagnostic approach delivers outcomes consistent with in-person evaluations – a landmark in the evolution of telehealth standards.

“Technology and human care must evolve together,” said Steve Goulet, VP of product and technology and Chair of Mentavi’s AI Ethics and Governance Committee. “Our long-term vision is to create a seamless, supportive digital experience – where AI enhances, but never replaces, the human connection.”

About Mentavi Health
Founded in 2018 as ADHD Online, and recognized as one of Michigan’s “50 Companies to Watch,” Mentavi Health provides evidence-based, compliant online mental health care nationwide. Its clinically validated Diagnostic Evaluation for diagnosing adult ADHD serves as the foundation for assessing anxiety, depression, OCD, and related conditions. Mentavi delivers affordable, high-quality care through licensed clinicians, offering diagnostic evaluations, therapy, medical treatment, and mental wellness coaching. Guided by clinical rigor, accessibility, compliance, and trust, Mentavi is redefining how people connect to quality mental health care. Learn more at mentavi.com.

Contact Information

Tim Cox 
ZingPR for Mentavi Health
tim@zingpr.com

Source: Mentavi Health

Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is adopting Mentavi Health’s Diagnostic Evaluation to provide timely, rigorous ADHD assessments for students seeking academic accommodations. The partnership enables SBCC to reach accommodation decisions faster, when appropriate, and helps students stay on course during the term’s most demanding weeks.

ADHD is the second-largest eligibility category for SBCC’s Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS). Until now, many students have faced weeks-long waits for off-campus diagnostic appointments—delays that can impede access to federally mandated accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504.

With Mentavi’s asynchronous online Diagnostic Evaluation, students can complete a thorough assessment in about 60-90 minutes and receive results, reviewed by a licensed, doctorate-level clinician, within five days. The process reduces turnaround time from weeks to days, while meeting clinical standards for documentation required by DSPS.

“Early identification and treatment of ADHD and related mental-health conditions is crucial for improved academic and personal outcomes,” said Mentavi Health Chief Medical Officer Barry K. Herman, M.D., MMM. “Timely diagnosis enables students to access the accommodations and support they need to succeed.”

Mentavi’s Diagnostic Evaluation, the first online ADHD assessment for adults to be clinically validated against current standards of care, has already served more than a dozen higher-education institutions nationwide and completed over 20,000 college-student evaluations. The validation study was published September 8, 2025, in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry 2025;86(3):25m15846; doi:10.4088/JCP.25m15846).

“For many of our students, the greatest challenge isn’t the classroom itself but the invisible barriers that delay the accommodations they are entitled to under federal law,” said Jana M. Garnett, DSPS Coordinator/Director at SBCC. “Mentavi makes professional clinical diagnoses both accessible and affordable, providing a pathway to the support our students need to thrive.”

Efficient and Affordable Support
Students complete Mentavi’s evaluation online and can share their report with SBCC’s DSPS office to determine accommodations or with a Mentavi clinician for follow-up therapy, medical treatment, or coaching. Each evaluation is reviewed by a licensed clinician—not by automated AI—and is available for $189, a fraction of the cost of typical in-person assessments.

Mentavi’s model helps colleges and universities expand student mental-health support without overburdening campus clinics or budgets, while giving students rapid access to evidence-based care.Enhancing Student Outcomes and Institutional Reputation
Early, accurate diagnosis equips students to adopt strategies that improve academic performance and personal well-being. By facilitating timely access to care, as indicated by diagnosis, SBCC underscores its commitment to student success and equity.“With national discussions underway about ADHD treatments and with growing state-level scrutiny of AI in healthcare, Mentavi stands out by combining validated evaluations with a human-centered model,” said Keith Brophy, CEO of Mentavi Health. “Every evaluation is reviewed by a licensed clinician, ensuring accuracy and accountability while reducing stress on families, faculty, and staff.”

About SBCC

Established in 1909, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is one of the oldest community colleges in California. The district consists of SBCC’s main campus on Santa Barbara’s beachfront coast, two separate campuses for its School of Extended Learning programs, as well as a Cosmetology school. The college offers a range of associate degree, certificate and transfer programs and is recognized by the Department of Education as an official Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). One of SBCC student success programs includes the Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS). SBCC DSPS ensures educational access through accommodations, services, and support that help students with disabilities achieve their academic goals. Learn more at SBCC.edu.

About Mentavi Health

Established as ADHD Online in 2018, Mentavi Health has evolved to encompass a broader range of mental health services. With the mission to make high-quality ADHD assessments accessible to all, Mentavi has grown to address not only ADHD but also the most common related mental health conditions. The nationwide Mentavi Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluation and various treatment options showcase the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, compliant online mental health care. For more information, visit mentavi.com.

Garnett says having classroom accommodations can change the student’s life trajectory.

“To have accommodations that address those limitations like extended time on tests, note taking support, access maybe to audio books or extra support and tutoring all of those things can make a significant difference,” said Garnett.

The test asks questions about critical stages in the student’s development, specifically childhood.

It takes approximately 90 minutes, and can be accessed online.

Aside from allowing the college to reach accommodation decisions faster, Mentavi Health’s Cory Hart says leveraging tele-health helps address the widespread provider shortage.

“There’s a provider shortage of not just master’s level clinicians, but also Ph.D. level clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists across the country. Global. The best thing that we can do and show up as mental health is help make those clinicians more efficient and productive,” said Hart.

The test costs $189 dollars.

It is reviewed by a phd level clinician that will render a diagnosis within 2 to 5 days.

For information on how you can access the online test, visit Mentavi Health.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 14, 2025 (Newswire.com) – Sixty percent of counties in the U.S. do not have a single psychiatrist, and 77 percent report a severe shortage, according to a 2022 study in Psychiatric Times. Primary care clinicians often have to fill this gap, but only 10-30 percent of them say they are comfortable diagnosing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Mentavi Health offers a clinically validated diagnostic assessment for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults that closes the psychiatric care gap quickly, easily, and at an accessible price.

Mentavi Health is recognized as an innovator and national leader in online mental health diagnosis and treatment. Founded in 2018 as ADHD Online, Mentavi Health now provides a broad spectrum of services, from mental wellness checks to diagnosis and treatment.

The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation provides critical support to primary care clinicians, in particular those whose patients are seeking diagnosis and treatment for ADHD or other mental disorders. Patients can complete the self-paced online evaluation on their own, without a clinician present. It takes one to two hours to complete, and assesses for mental health concerns including anxiety, ADHD, and depression. The cost is less than $200.

A licensed, doctorate-level psychologist reviews the assessment responses and renders a diagnosis to the patient and designated provider in five days or less. The diagnosis can be used to develop a treatment plan, which can include medication (as warranted), coaching, and therapy with a Mentavi clinician or the patient’s own healthcare provider.

“Primary care clinicians are becoming increasingly important in adult ADHD care, but they often lack the time, tools, and resources needed to accurately diagnose the condition,” said Mentavi Health Chief Medical Officer Barry K. Herman, M.D., MMM. “Clinically validated asynchronous assessments and telehealth clinicians, as available on the Mentavi Health platform, can provide primary care clinicians with this evidence-based, accessible resource for their patients.”

Research conducted by Mentavi and presented at the 10th World Congress on ADHD in Prague, Czech Republic, validated the accuracy and reliability of the Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation for diagnosing ADHD in adults, when compared with traditional face-to-face, in-person clinical assessments that are typically the standard of care in the field. A publication of the study results in a peer-reviewed journal is expected in the next few months.

Among the study’s findings:

• The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation and the clinical interview have a diagnostic agreement of 78%.
• The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation has a Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 94.9%
• The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation identifies ADHD-positive cases more accurately than the clinical interview, with a 12% false positive rate vs. 56% for the clinical interview.
• The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation is more conservative than the clinical interview, meaning it does not over-diagnose ADHD in adults.

The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation is based on the latest research and practices. It was developed using more than a dozen validated screening instruments and specific questions aligned with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria to diagnose a broad range of mental health conditions, including ADHD. Study results demonstrate that an online asynchronous assessment, such as the Mentavi Health tool, is a reliable, accurate, and trusted tool for diagnosing ADHD in adults.

“As value-based care becomes the norm, primary care teams need scalable tools that deliver measurable impact,” said Keith Brophy, CEO of Mentavi Health. “Our diagnostic solution helps practices identify and treat mental health conditions earlier, supporting better patient outcomes and stronger performance on quality metrics.”

Mentavi Health’s core mission is to increase access to accurate, efficient, and evidence-based mental health assessments. With ADHD in adults significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated, the Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation will aid clinicians with their role in the diagnosis and treatment of this and related disorders.

For more information, visit Mentavi Health or ADHD Online.

About Mentavi Health
Established as ADHD Online in 2018, Mentavi Health has evolved to encompass a broader range of mental health services. With the mission to make high-quality ADHD assessments accessible to all, Mentavi has grown to address not only ADHD but also the most common related mental health conditions. The nationwide Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation and various treatment options showcase the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, compliant online mental health care. For more information, visit mentavi.com.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI AND SANTA BARBARA, CA, October 29, 2025 (Newswire.com) – Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is adopting Mentavi Health‘s Diagnostic Evaluation to provide timely, rigorous ADHD assessments for students seeking academic accommodations. The partnership enables SBCC to reach accommodation decisions faster, when appropriate, and helps students stay on course during the term’s most demanding weeks.

ADHD is the second-largest eligibility category for SBCC’s Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS). Until now, many students have faced weeks-long waits for off-campus diagnostic appointments-delays that can impede access to federally mandated accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504.

With Mentavi’s asynchronous online Diagnostic Evaluation, students can complete a thorough assessment in about 60-90 minutes and receive results, reviewed by a licensed, doctorate-level clinician, within five days. The process reduces turnaround time from weeks to days, while meeting clinical standards for documentation required by DSPS.

“Early identification and treatment of ADHD and related mental-health conditions is crucial for improved academic and personal outcomes,” said Mentavi Health Chief Medical Officer Barry K. Herman, M.D., MMM. “Timely diagnosis enables students to access the accommodations and support they need to succeed.”

Mentavi’s Diagnostic Evaluation, the first online ADHD assessment for adults to be clinically validated against current standards of care, has already served more than a dozen higher-education institutions nationwide and completed over 20,000 college-student evaluations. The validation study was published September 8, 2025, in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry 2025;86(3):25m15846; doi:10.4088/JCP.25m15846).

“For many of our students, the greatest challenge isn’t the classroom itself but the invisible barriers that delay the accommodations they are entitled to under federal law,” said Jana M. Garnett, DSPS Coordinator and Director at SBCC. “Mentavi makes professional clinical diagnoses both accessible and affordable, providing a pathway to the support our students need to thrive.”

Efficient and Affordable Support

Students complete Mentavi’s evaluation online and can share their report with SBCC’s DSPS office to determine accommodations or with a Mentavi clinician for follow-up therapy, medical treatment, or coaching. Each evaluation is reviewed by a licensed clinician-not by automated AI-and is available for $189, a fraction of the cost of typical in-person assessments.

Mentavi’s model helps colleges and universities expand student mental-health support without overburdening campus clinics or budgets, while giving students rapid access to evidence-based care.

Enhancing Student Outcomes and Institutional Reputation

Early, accurate diagnosis equips students to adopt strategies that improve academic performance and personal well-being. By facilitating timely access to care, as indicated by diagnosis, SBCC underscores its commitment to student success and equity.

“With national discussions underway about ADHD treatments and with growing state-level scrutiny of AI in healthcare, Mentavi stands out by combining validated evaluations with a human-centered model,” said Keith Brophy, CEO of Mentavi Health. “Every evaluation is reviewed by a licensed clinician, ensuring accuracy and accountability while reducing stress on families, faculty, and staff.”

About Santa Barbara City College

Established in 1909, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is one of the oldest community colleges in California. The district consists of SBCC’s main campus on Santa Barbara’s beachfront coast, two separate campuses for its School of Extended Learning programs, as well as a Cosmetology school. The college offers a range of associate degree, certificate and transfer programs and is recognized by the Department of Education as an official Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). One of SBCC student success programs includes the Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS). SBCC DSPS ensures educational access through accommodations, services, and support that help students with disabilities achieve their academic goals. Learn more at SBCC.edu.

About Mentavi Health

Established as ADHD Online in 2018, Mentavi Health has evolved to encompass a broader range of mental health services. With the mission to make high-quality ADHD assessments accessible to all, Mentavi has grown to address not only ADHD but also the most common related mental health conditions. The nationwide Mentavi Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluation and various treatment options showcase the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, compliant online mental health care. For more information, visit mentavi.com.

Media contact:

Tim Cox, ZingPR for Mentavi Health
tim@zingpr.com

Meet the Coaches

Amanda Chocko, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner & Sleep Coach
Amanda supports patients with practical strategies for better rest and healthier sleep habits, helping improve energy and focus.

Valerie Snyder, LVN, NHW-BC – Executive Function Coach
Valerie helps patients overcome overwhelm with tools for task management, organization, and building momentum.

Monday, Oct 20, 2025 5PM EST

*This event is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always seek professional guidance for diagnosis, treatment, or medication decisions.

What is time blindness?

Time blindness refers to the difficulty in perceiving, tracking, and managing time effectively. Some ADHDers compare it to “living in a constant present.” It’s not simply about a student or employee being a procrastinator or “bad with time.” Time blindness is a neurological condition where individuals struggle to sense how much time has passed, estimate how long tasks will take, or feel the urgency that approaching deadlines typically create. For someone experiencing time blindness, five minutes can feel like an hour, or conversely, three hours can pass in what feels like moments. For those with ADHD, they often feel as if only two states exist: the “now” and the “not now.”

It’s not a matter of laziness, poor planning, or lack of care about responsibilities. Instead, it’s a fundamental difference in how the brain processes temporal information, making time feel abstract and difficult to grasp. It’s easy to see how this could be challenging in professional or educational settings.

The cause of time blindness

The executive function is the primary culprit behind time blindness. This is the system that manages the planning, prioritization, and working memory of ADHD brains. When the executive function is compromised, it becomes harder to feel or visualize the passage of time.

This results in the internal clock that most rely on to gauge the passage of time being inconsistent or even absent. Common factors like stress and hyperfocus that tend to impact those with ADHD can also contribute to time blindness.

How it shows up

Time blindness manifests in common ways in both academic settings and in the workplace. Students and professionals may:

• Underestimate or overestimate how long a project or task may take
• Lose track of time or need urgent or specific deadlines to finish things
• Overcommit to things with no accurate sense of how they will (or won’t) fit into a day.
• Become so deeply absorbed in a task that they have no awareness of time passing

This may result in:

• Arriving late to class or meetings
• Missed deadlines
• Working longer hours to compensate for lost time
• Difficulty easily transitioning between tasks

It’s important to note that time blindness doesn’t reflect a lack of effort or professionalism. Many people with ADHD develop anxiety around time precisely because they care deeply about meeting expectations, but struggle to do so consistently.

Supporting those with time blindness

How can you best support a student or employee struggling with time blindness?

• Equip them with and encourage the use of time-management tools, such as timers, alarms, clocks, calendars, and planners — anything that works for them.
• Create micro-deadlines. Even outside of THE deadline. Set up and monitor check-ins and milestones along the way. Also, consider padding deadlines when possible to give them extra time.
• Support their practicing of time estimation. Have them time their regular tasks over the course of the week and log it to get a better sense of how long things take. Encourage them to share their findings with you.
• Provide flexibility with start times for meetings and offer plenty of notice. A gentle nudge or reminder can also help.
• For students, offer alternative testing accommodations, such as extra time or a different environment.

The most effective approaches involve clear collaboration and communication. By recognizing time blindness as a legitimate neurological difference rather than a character flaw, employers and educators can create more inclusive, supportive environments where people with ADHD can thrive.

Sources: 

Time Unbound: Managing Time Blindness at Work – CHADD

ADHD Time Blindness: How To Detect It & Regain Control Over Time – ADD.org

Clinically reviewed by Amy Marschall, PsyD. Dr Marschall has been a licensed psychologist since 2016 and currently owns a private practice, RMH-Therapy, where she provides therapy primarily to children and adolescents and does psychological evaluations and also provides ADHD assessments through ADHD Online.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 1, 2025 (Newswire.com) – Quintessence Psychiatry, a telepsychiatry practice led by Nona Kocher, MPH, MD, has adopted Mentavi Health‘s asynchronous Diagnostic Evaluation to offer patients a scientifically rigorous, accessible alternative to full neuropsychological testing. The Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation is clinically validated (and now peer-reviewed and published in the The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry*) for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults.

Quintessence Psychiatry previously referred ADHD inquiries to external neuropsychology providers – a process that can involve weeks to months of waiting and hundreds of dollars in testing costs for a broad battery of tests many patients don’t need. Early experiences at Quintessence show patients can complete the self-directed evaluation at their convenience (often at home) and return to the clinic with a report reviewed by a licensed psychologist to guide treatment conversations.

“Mentavi gives my patients a focused, evidence-based ADHD evaluation at a price and speed they can actually use,” said Dr. Nona Kocher, psychiatrist and founder of Quintessence Psychiatry. “It adds rigor to my workflow and helps patients understand what the findings mean, so we can move forward with an informed plan rather than sending them into a lengthy outside testing queue.”

In the initial phase of adoption, three patients have completed the evaluation, with positive feedback on the clarity of the results and visuals. Patients typically review the Mentavi report with Dr. Kocher at a follow-up visit to discuss how ADHD symptoms may be affecting daily life and to consider therapy and/or medication options. “The report graphics make it easier for patients to grasp their results at a glance, which improves shared decision making,” Dr. Kocher added.

Beyond speed and accessibility, the Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation integrates cleanly into Quintessence’s care model, which emphasizes applying modern, science-based methods – including, when appropriate, pharmacogenetic testing – to reduce trial and error in treatment selection.

“We are pleased that our validated diagnostic approach can serve Quintessence Psychiatry by removing barriers to timely access to care for their patients. This is what our approach was designed for,” said Keith Brophy, CEO of Mentavi Health.

“Clinicians like Dr. Kocher tell us Mentavi helps them triage ADHD inquiries efficiently and focus their time where it matters most – on individualized care,” said Mentavi Health Chief Medical Officer Barry K. Herman, M.D., MMM. “We’re pleased to support private practices with an evaluation that is clinically validated, rigorous, patient-friendly, and easy to fold into existing workflows.”

Quintessence intends to continue offering the Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation for appropriate ADHD cases and to gather ongoing patient feedback to inform clinical workflows.

* Peer‑reviewed validation: Results of Mentavi’s diagnostic validation study were published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry on September 8, 2025 (J Clin Psychiatry 2025;86(3):25m15846; doi:10.4088/JCP.25m15846).

About Quintessence Psychiatry

Quintessence Psychiatry is a patient-centered telepsychiatry practice led by Nona Kocher, MD, offering comprehensive evaluations, medication management, and individualized care plans. The practice integrates modern, evidence-based methods to help patients move from assessment to actionable next steps. For more information, visit quintessencepsychiatry.com.

About Mentavi Health

Established as ADHD Online in 2018, Mentavi Health has evolved to encompass a broader range of mental health services. With the mission to make high-quality ADHD assessments accessible to all, Mentavi has grown to address not only ADHD but also the most common related mental health conditions. The nationwide Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation and various treatment options showcase the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible, and compliant online mental health care, grounded in clinical validation and trust. For more information, visit mentavi.com.

Contact Information

Tim Cox 
ZingPR for Mentavi
tim@zingpr.com

Source: Mentavi Health

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