What is ADHD? A Comprehensive Guide from an ADHD Therapist in McAllen, TX
By Kathryn Chacra, LCSW-S, ADHD-CCSP
Imagine your brain is like a TV with a remote. Most people can flip to the right channel, adjust the volume, and focus on the show they want to watch. But for someone with ADHD, that remote might have a mind of its own. The volume turns up when it’s supposed to be quiet. The channels flip when you’re trying to focus. And just when you settle in, something shiny pulls your attention away.
That’s ADHD in a nutshell: a difference in how the brain manages attention, energy, and impulse control. And while that might sound frustrating (and it often is), it’s also more complex, nuanced, and yes—even beautiful—than most people realize.
Through ADHD therapy, we explore those differences with curiosity and empathy, uncovering tools that work for your unique brain. As an ADHD therapist here in McAllen, TX, I’ve seen firsthand how misunderstood this condition can be. So let’s break it down together, with curiosity and compassion.
What Is ADHD, Really?
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. But honestly? That name is a bit misleading. People with ADHD don’t lack attention—they often have too much of it, scattered in a million directions at once. One moment they’re hyper-focused on a task for hours (we call this "hyperfocus"), the next they can’t remember where they put their keys… or their phone… or what they were doing five minutes ago.
The brain of someone with ADHD works like a racecar—super fast, super powerful—but with bicycle brakes. It can be hard to slow down, switch gears, or stay on one track.
The Three Main Flavors of ADHD
Think of ADHD like ice cream. There’s a basic recipe, but it comes in different flavors:
Inattentive Type (formerly known as ADD):
This is the daydreamy kind. You might find yourself zoning out during conversations, losing track of tasks, or forgetting appointments. It’s not laziness—it’s a brain that struggles with mental sticky notes.Hyperactive-Impulsive Type:
This is the “go-go-go” kind. You might fidget a lot, interrupt conversations, or feel like your brain (and body) are always on the move. This type is more common in kids, but adults can have it too.Combined Type:
A mix of both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. Many people fall into this category.
What ADHD Looks Like in Real Life
Let’s paint a picture.
You sit down to write an email.
But before you do, you check your calendar. Then you remember you need to refill a prescription. While calling the pharmacy, you realize the laundry’s still in the washer. You go to switch it… and the email is still unwritten, 45 minutes later.
This isn’t a character flaw. It’s executive dysfunction—ADHD’s way of making everyday tasks feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. Executive functioning is the brain’s management system: it helps you plan, prioritize, organize, and regulate your actions. When you have ADHD, that system has a few missing gears.
ADHD Across the Lifespan & Support from an ADHD Therapist in McAllen, TX
ADHD is often spotted in childhood (cue the fidgety, talkative student who forgets their homework), but it doesn’t magically disappear in adulthood. In fact, many adults don’t get diagnosed until later in life, especially women, whose symptoms may have been dismissed as anxiety or “just being disorganized.”
As an ADHD therapist in McAllen, TX, I work with teens, adults, and parents navigating ADHD across all life stages. It can show up in relationships, work, school, and parenting. The support you need may look different at each stage.
Is It All Bad? Absolutely Not.
Let’s be clear: ADHD isn’t just a list of challenges. It also comes with strengths that often go unnoticed.
Creativity: ADHD minds are nonlinear, imaginative, and original.
Empathy: Many people with ADHD are deeply attuned to others’ emotions.
Resilience: You’ve likely had to find unique ways to cope, survive, and thrive.
Hyperfocus: When something truly lights you up, you can dive in deeper than most.
Your brain isn’t broken—it’s wired differently. And with the right tools, that difference can be your superpower.
So What Helps? Exploring ADHD Therapy in McAllen, TX
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but here are a few tools I often use with clients:
📅 Visual Schedules and Timers: Think of these like a GPS for your day. External reminders help compensate for internal struggles with time.
📦 Body Doubling: Working alongside someone else—even virtually—can make a task feel more doable. (It’s like moral support for your to-do list.)
🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Strategies: We explore thought patterns that lead to shame, avoidance, or overwhelm, and gently rewrite them.
💬 Parent Coaching: For families navigating ADHD together, understanding how your child’s brain works can change everything. I offer sessions designed just for this.
Final Thoughts from an ADHD Therapist Who Gets It
ADHD isn’t just about focus. It’s about how you process the world, your energy, your relationships, and your emotions. And if you’re reading this thinking, “That sounds a lot like me,” you’re not alone.
As a therapist who specializes in ADHD and has lived experience with it myself, I want you to know—there is no shame in how your brain works. And there is support, with expert ADHD therapy services available locally in the Rio Grande Valley.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, seeking strategies, or just trying to make sense of the chaos, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Ready to Work with an ADHD Therapist in McAllen, TX?
ADHD can affect focus, time management, relationships, and self-esteem, but with the right support, it doesn’t have to hold you back. As an experienced ADHD therapist in McAllen, TX, I help individuals understand how their brain works and build strategies that actually fit their lives.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been struggling for years, ADHD therapy in McAllen, TX, can help you move from frustration to clarity, with tools that support real progress.
Here’s how to get started:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your experience and ask any questions.
Book your first ADHD therapy session and begin building a plan that works for your strengths and challenges.
Start feeling more focused, confident, and supported with ADHD therapy designed around how your brain truly functions.
You deserve support that works with you, not against you. Let’s find the tools that help your brain thrive.
Additional Services Provided in the Rio Grande Valley
Beyond ADHD therapy, I offer therapy for emotional eating in McAllen, TX, for those looking to heal their relationship with food and develop more sustainable strategies for coping with stress. I also provide clinical supervision for LMSWs working toward their LCSW in Texas, offering a collaborative space focused on professional growth, clinical confidence, and licensure readiness.
