New Smyrna Beach · South Daytona · Deland, FL
ADHD Evaluation & Treatment in New Smyrna Beach, South Daytona & Deland, FL
If procrastination, time blindness, emotional outbursts, or the exhausting effort of "holding it together" sound familiar, you may be dealing with more than everyday stress. According to the CDC, an estimated 7 million U.S. children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and roughly 15.5 million adults currently live with an ADHD diagnosis — more than half first diagnosed after turning 18. We provide comprehensive ADHD evaluation and treatment for children, teens, and adults across New Smyrna Beach, South Daytona, and DeLand, Florida.
What is ADHD?
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, and activity regulation. It's not a lack of willpower or discipline — it's rooted in how the brain manages focus, time, and emotional response. ADHD looks different across ages and individuals, and it often continues into adulthood even when it goes unrecognized in childhood.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Chronic procrastination
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Chronic procrastination and trouble starting or finishing tasks
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Difficulty judging how long things take, or losing track of time (time blindness)
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Sudden, intense emotional reactions that feel disproportionate to the trigger
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Trouble staying organized, misplacing things, or missing deadlines
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Forgetfulness in daily activities, from appointments to routine chores
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Hyperfocus on preferred activities paired with an inability to concentrate on others
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Impulsivity — interrupting others, making quick decisions without thinking them through
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A pattern of appearing capable and successful while struggling internally
Curious whether your experience fits the pattern? Read more on our blog: high-functioning ADHD, AuDHD, ADHD rage and emotional dysregulation, and hyperfixation.
Time blindness
Disproportionate reactions
Disorganization
Forgetfulness
Hyperfocus
Impulsivity
Who We Treat
We tailor the evaluation and treatment approach to the age and life stage of the person in front of us.
Including those seeking a first diagnosis later in life after years of unexplained struggle
Adults
Navigating ADHD alongside school, friendships, and a changing sense of independence
Adolescents
With evaluations that involve parents or caregivers every step of the way
Children (age 8+)
ADHD vs. anxiety: what's the difference? They can look similar — ADHD stems from difficulty regulating attention; anxiety from persistent worry. They often overlap. See Anxiety Treatment.
How ADHD Is Diagnosed
An ADHD diagnosis isn't based on a single test — it's built from a full picture of your history and symptoms. At BFF Clinic, that process typically includes:
Initial consultation
To understand what brought you in and what you're hoping to get out of care
Medical & developmental history
Including when symptoms first appeared and how they've shown up across school, work, and relationships
Structured symptom review
Often supported by standardized ADHD rating scales and questionnaires
Differential evaluation
To rule out or identify overlapping conditions — anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum traits can all resemble or accompany ADHD
Clear treatment recommendation
Discussed and decided on together
How We Diagnose and Treat ADHD
ADHD care at BFF Clinic starts with listening. We take a full history of your symptoms, how they show up across different areas of your life, and what's already been tried, so treatment is built around you rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Thorough evaluation
Confirms diagnosis, considers overlapping conditions
Personalized medication
Follow-up every 2 weeks while adjusting
Behavioral strategies
Organization, time management, regulation
Lifestyle recommendations
Sleep, routine, structure alongside meds
Ongoing, collaborative care
Informed and involved in every decision
Therapy referrals
Such as CBT, alongside medication when helpful
We currently treat individuals age 8 and older — from adolescents just beginning to understand their diagnosis to adults seeking answers after a lifetime of feeling like they were falling behind.
ADHD vs. Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference
ADHD and anxiety can look strikingly similar on the surface — both can involve restlessness, trouble concentrating, and sleep problems. The difference usually comes down to what's driving the symptoms: ADHD symptoms tend to stem from difficulty regulating attention and impulses, while anxiety symptoms tend to stem from persistent worry and a nervous system on high alert. The two conditions also frequently occur together, which is exactly why an accurate, comprehensive evaluation matters. If anxiety sounds like it might be part of your picture too, we've written more about it on our Anxiety Treatment page.
Tell us a bit about what you're experiencing
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Inquire
In-person appointments available, along with virtual options. A $100 deposit is required to book a self-pay/out-of-network initial evaluation, applied toward your total appointment cost.
What to Expect
Intake paperwork
Including insurance info, ahead of your first visit
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Initial evaluation
Comprehensive in-person psychiatric evaluation
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Treatment plan
Personalized, with close early follow-up
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Meet Your Provider
Sandra MacSweeney, MHA, FNP-C, PMHNP-C
Holds a Master's degree in Advanced Practice Nursing with a specialization in psychiatric mental health from Nova Southeastern University. Florida board-certified to treat patients across the lifespan, with a focus on evidence-based, whole-person care.