Integrative ADHD Care · Miami, FL
Adult ADHD Evaluation and Treatment in Miami
Dr. Mariela Padro offers comprehensive, integrative ADHD evaluation and treatment in Miami — combining psychiatric expertise, functional medicine labs, and personalized protocols for adults who have struggled to find effective care.
8M+
Adults in the US have ADHD — most undiagnosed
75%
Of women with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood
90 min
In-depth initial ADHD evaluation at PadroMD
3x
More likely: ADHD co-occurs with anxiety or depression
Mariela Padro, MD
Psychiatrist · Miami, FL
Mariela Padro, MD is a psychiatrist in Miami, Florida. Her approach takes time to understand each patient’s symptoms, history, and broader context before recommending care.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD in Adults: Far More Than "Can't Focus"
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects executive function, emotional regulation, motivation, time perception, working memory, and impulse control — not just attention. Many adults with ADHD have spent decades being told they are lazy, disorganized, or irresponsible, never knowing that their brain is simply wired differently.
ADHD is significantly underdiagnosed in women, who often present with inattentive rather than hyperactive symptoms and develop sophisticated coping mechanisms that mask the condition until life demands overwhelm them — during college, career advancement, new parenthood, or perimenopause.
Critically, many adults who struggle with ADHD-like symptoms also have biological factors — including thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, sleep disorders, hormonal imbalances, and gut dysbiosis — that significantly worsen attention, focus, and executive function. Identifying and correcting these factors is a central part of Dr. Padro's integrative ADHD approach.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or conversations
- Frequent losing of items, forgetting appointments, or deadlines
- Starting many projects but struggling to complete them
- Hyperfocus on interesting tasks, inability to prioritize others
- Emotional dysregulation — frustration, irritability, overwhelm
- Chronic lateness and poor time management
- Restlessness, fidgeting, or inner sense of always being "on"
- Impulsive decisions — financial, social, or professional
- Brain fog, forgetfulness, and difficulty with working memory
- Sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm irregularities
Our Approach
Integrative ADHD Treatment in Miami, FL
ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that goes far beyond difficulty focusing. Mariela Padro, MD takes a comprehensive, whole-person approach that considers neurological, hormonal, nutritional, and environmental factors.
Many patients with ADHD also have underlying issues such as thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, sleep disorders, gut dysbiosis, or anxiety that significantly worsen attention and executive function. Our functional medicine evaluation screens for all of these before developing a personalized treatment plan — because the right treatment depends entirely on what is driving the symptoms.
We serve adults with ADHD across Miami, Brickell, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, South Miami, and all of South Florida who want more than a prescription pad.
- Comprehensive ADHD evaluation and diagnosis
- Functional medicine labs: iron, thyroid, B vitamins, zinc
- Medication management when appropriate
- Nutritional psychiatry for ADHD
- Sleep optimization protocols
- Executive function coaching integration
- Gut-brain axis assessment
- Hormone evaluation (estrogen, testosterone, thyroid)
Who We Help
ADHD in Adults: Often Missed, Always Impactful
Adult ADHD is significantly underdiagnosed, especially in women, high-achieving professionals, and those who developed strong compensatory strategies in childhood. Dr. Padro specializes in identifying ADHD in adults who have been labeled "anxious," "disorganized," or "underperforming" when ADHD was the underlying driver.
She also evaluates ADHD in the context of burnout, hormonal transitions (particularly perimenopause, where estrogen's dopamine-modulating effects decline dramatically), and complex mental health presentations where ADHD coexists with anxiety, depression, or trauma.
- Adult ADHD (previously undiagnosed)
- Women with ADHD and hormonal fluctuations
- Executive and professional ADHD management
- ADHD with anxiety or depression
- ADHD and burnout overlap
- ADHD in perimenopause
- Inattentive ADHD (quiet, internal, often missed)
- ADHD with emotional dysregulation
The Biology of ADHD
Nutritional and Hormonal Factors in ADHD
Iron deficiency — even without frank anemia — is one of the most under-recognized contributors to ADHD symptoms. Iron is required for dopamine synthesis, and low ferritin levels (below 50 ng/mL) are associated with significantly worse attention, impulsivity, and restlessness. Zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins also play critical roles in dopamine metabolism and executive function.
Thyroid dysfunction suppresses neurological processing speed and working memory. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency impairs dopamine receptor density and neuronal communication. Poor sleep — often a consequence of ADHD itself — further depletes dopamine and executive function reserves.
By identifying and correcting these nutritional and biological factors, many patients with ADHD experience dramatic symptom improvement — sometimes without stimulant medication, or with significantly lower doses than would otherwise be needed.
- Iron and ferritin testing — dopamine synthesis foundation
- Zinc and magnesium optimization for neurotransmitter function
- Omega-3 fatty acids and brain dopamine receptor health
- Thyroid evaluation: TSH, free T3, T4, antibodies
- B12 and methylation pathway assessment
- Sleep disorder evaluation and treatment
- Blood sugar regulation and its impact on focus
- Gut microbiome and the ADHD-gut connection
Your Care Journey
What to Expect at PadroMD
ADHD Evaluation
A 90-minute comprehensive assessment covering symptom history, childhood patterns, functional impairment, co-occurring conditions, and validated screening tools.
Functional Labs
Testing for iron, ferritin, thyroid, B vitamins, zinc, hormones, and other biological factors that worsen ADHD symptoms.
Personalized Protocol
A treatment plan that may include medication, nutritional interventions, sleep optimization, and targeted supplementation — built for your biology.
Ongoing Support
Regular follow-ups to refine treatment, monitor labs, manage any medication needs, and support long-term executive function and wellbeing.
Why Choose Dr. Padro
Functional Lab Workup
We consider iron, thyroid, nutritional, and hormonal factors that may be relevant to ADHD symptoms.
Beyond Stimulants
A range of ADHD treatment options including nutritional, hormonal, and lifestyle considerations.
Women's ADHD Focus
Attention to ADHD presentations in women, including hormonal fluctuations and perimenopause.
Personalized Appointments
Longer, thorough appointments with individualized recommendations.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Miami, Florida
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are considering next steps, request a consultation with Mariela Padro, MD. Service availability should be confirmed with the practice.
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