ADHD Course for Doctors

Lesson 1 • Executive Function Deficits Explained

Working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and planning deficits mapped to daily functional impairments. Bridges neuroscience to patient-reported difficulties.

Lesson 2 • Defining ADHD as a Brain Disorder

ADHD reframed from behavioural label to neurodevelopmental condition with measurable brain differences. Anchors clinical legitimacy and reduces diagnostic scepticism.

Lesson 3 • Genetic and Environmental Contributors

Heritability estimates, gene-environment interactions, and prenatal risk factors shaping ADHD expression. Informs family history taking and risk counselling.

Lesson 4 • Dopamine and Norepinephrine Dysregulation

Catecholamine signalling deficits explain inattention, impulsivity, and motivation failure. Provides pharmacological rationale for stimulant and non-stimulant treatments.

Lesson 1 • ADHD in Older Adults

Cognitive ageing overlaps with ADHD symptoms, complicating differential diagnosis. Physicians learn to distinguish ADHD from early dementia and age-related decline.

Lesson 2 • Adult ADHD Recognition

Chronic disorganisation, occupational instability, and relationship dysfunction replace childhood hyperactivity. Most adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed; recognition skills are critical.

Lesson 3 • Adolescent ADHD and Emerging Risks

Hyperactivity internalises; risk-taking, substance use, and academic failure escalate. Physicians must distinguish ADHD from adolescent normative behaviour.

Lesson 4 • School-Age ADHD Presentation

Academic underperformance, peer conflict, and teacher referrals become primary clinical triggers. Core diagnostic criteria are most visible and measurable in this age group.

Lesson 1 • Documenting and Communicating Diagnosis

Structuring diagnostic documentation to meet clinical, educational, and regulatory standards. Clear communication reduces patient confusion and supports accommodation requests.

Lesson 2 • Neuropsychological Testing Role

Clarifies when cognitive testing adds diagnostic value versus when it is unnecessary. Prevents over-reliance on testing and guides appropriate referral decisions.

Lesson 3 • Structured Clinical Interview Techniques

Conducting a comprehensive ADHD-focused history covering childhood, academic, occupational, and relationship domains. Structured questioning reduces recall bias and anchors diagnosis.

Lesson 4 • Rating Scales and Screening Tools

Validated self-report and observer-rated scales for children and adults with sensitivity and specificity data. Physicians select appropriate tools for patient age and clinical context.

Lesson 1 • Conditions That Mimic ADHD

Anxiety, sleep disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and sensory processing issues produce ADHD-like symptoms. Systematic exclusion prevents misattribution and inappropriate stimulant prescribing.

Lesson 2 • Anxiety Disorders as Comorbidities

Generalised anxiety, social anxiety, and OCD frequently co-occur with ADHD and may worsen with stimulants. Physicians learn to identify anxiety comorbidity before initiating pharmacotherapy.

Lesson 3 • Substance Use and Trauma Overlap

Substance use disorders and PTSD mimic and exacerbate ADHD, requiring careful temporal history. Physicians develop protocols for assessing ADHD in patients with active substance use.

Lesson 4 • Learning Disabilities and Autism Spectrum

Dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism spectrum disorder share symptom overlap with ADHD and require distinct interventions. Accurate differentiation prevents educational misplacement.

Lesson 1 • Stimulant Dosing and Titration

Weight-based starting doses, titration schedules, and target dose ranges for children and adults. Systematic titration maximizes efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

Lesson 2 • Controlled Substance Prescribing Compliance

Regulatory requirements for stimulant prescribing including prescription monitoring, documentation, and diversion prevention. Physicians maintain compliance while ensuring patient access.

Lesson 3 • Managing Stimulant Adverse Effects

Appetite suppression, sleep disruption, cardiovascular effects, and growth monitoring are primary safety concerns. Proactive management strategies prevent unnecessary medication discontinuation.

Lesson 4 • Stimulant Medications: Mechanisms and Types

Methylphenidate and amphetamine classes differ in mechanism, duration, and side effect profiles. Understanding pharmacokinetics guides formulation selection for individual patients.

Lesson 1 • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ADHD

CBT adapted for ADHD targets organizational skills, time management, and cognitive distortions about failure. Most effective as adjunct to medication in adolescents and adults.

Lesson 2 • School-Based Interventions

Classroom accommodations, behavioral support plans, and teacher consultation strategies reduce academic impairment. Physicians play a key role in initiating and supporting school-based plans.

Lesson 3 • Behavioral Parent Training

Structured parent training programs reduce child ADHD symptoms through contingency management and consistent routines. Physicians identify appropriate candidates and refer effectively.

Lesson 4 • Digital Tools and Assistive Technology

Apps, reminders, and organizational software extend executive function support between clinical visits. Physicians evaluate tool quality and guide appropriate patient adoption.

Lesson 1 • ADHD with Cardiac and Medical Conditions

Structural heart disease, hypertension, and seizure disorders require modified stimulant prescribing or alternatives. Physicians conduct pre-treatment cardiac screening and risk stratification.

Lesson 2 • ADHD in Women and Girls

Internalizing presentation, hormonal fluctuation effects, and chronic underdiagnosis characterize female ADHD. Physicians recognize gender-specific symptom patterns and diagnostic barriers.

Lesson 3 • Treatment-Resistant ADHD Cases

Persistent impairment despite adequate pharmacotherapy signals unaddressed comorbidity, diagnosis error, or adherence failure. Systematic re-evaluation framework prevents clinical stagnation.

Lesson 4 • Twice-Exceptional and Gifted Patients

High intellectual ability masks ADHD impairment until academic demands exceed compensatory capacity. Physicians avoid dismissing ADHD in high-achieving patients.

Lesson 1 • Establishing a Monitoring Framework

Standardized visit schedules, symptom tracking tools, and functional outcome measures create consistent longitudinal care. Prevents reactive rather than proactive management.

Lesson 2 • Transitioning Pediatric Patients to Adult Care

Adolescent-to-adult care transitions are high-risk periods for treatment dropout and functional decline. Structured handoff protocols and self-management skill building reduce transition failure.

Lesson 3 • Outcomes, Prognosis, and Patient Education

Long-term outcomes data on education, employment, relationships, and health inform realistic prognosis counseling. Accurate prognostic framing motivates sustained treatment engagement.

Lesson 4 • Reassessing and Adjusting Treatment Plans

Life transitions, new stressors, and developmental changes require periodic treatment plan revision. Physicians use structured reassessment triggers to update pharmacological and behavioural plans.