The brain behind the behavior
Understanding ADHD
Articles
7 Things to Know About ADHD Right Now
Whether your child was just diagnosed or you've been wondering for years, these are the seven things Dr. Douglas Cowan most wants you to know about ADHD — from 40 years of clinical practice.
Understanding ADHDADHD and Reward Deficiency: Why the ADHD Brain Needs More to Feel Motivated
The ADHD brain isn't lazy — it has a genuine dopamine-driven reward deficiency that makes motivation, interest, and follow-through harder to sustain. Dr. Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., explains the neuroscience and what it means for treatment.
Understanding ADHDADHD and Sleep: Why the ADHD Brain Struggles at Night
Up to 70% of people with ADHD have significant sleep problems — and it's not a discipline issue. Dr. Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., explains the biology behind ADHD sleep disruption and what actually helps.
Understanding ADHDADHD in Girls: The Signs Nobody Talks About
Girls with ADHD are diagnosed later, missed more often, and suffer longer than boys. Dr. Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., explains what ADHD looks like in girls — and what parents and teachers need to know.
Understanding ADHDDo I Have ADHD? Recognizing the Signs in Children and Adults
ADHD is simultaneously over-diagnosed and under-diagnosed — especially in adults and women. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains what ADHD actually looks like and what a proper evaluation involves.
Understanding ADHDEeyore Type: Sluggish, Low-Motivation ADHD
You know Eeyore. He's not bouncing around like Tigger. He's not daydreaming like Pooh. He's just slow. Heavy. Moving through life like everything takes twi
Understanding ADHDHow Do I Know if I Have ADHD?
Not everyone with ADHD bounced off the walls as a kid. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains what ADHD really looks like — and how to know if it's what's been making life harder than it needs to be.
Understanding ADHDInside the ADHD Brain — What Neuroscience Actually Reveals
Brain imaging has shown us exactly what is different about the ADHD brain — and it is not subtle. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains the four brain systems involved and why understanding them changes everything.
Understanding ADHDIs It Really ADHD? Seven Things That Can Look Just Like It
ADHD is one of the most over-diagnosed conditions in childhood. Before you accept a diagnosis — or reject one — Dr. Douglas Cowan explains the seven conditions that can produce identical symptoms for completely different reasons.
Understanding ADHDPiglet Type: ADHD With Anxiety
Remember Piglet from Winnie the Pooh? He's not loud. He's not bouncing off the walls. He's small and careful and he worries about almost everything. He wan
Understanding ADHDRabbit Type: Over-Focused ADHD
Remember Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh? He has a plan. He always has a plan. And if you mess with the plan — move one thing, change one detail, suggest a dif
Understanding ADHDSeeking the Flow State Through Pickleball
Pickleball isn't just a sport — for the ADHD brain, it may be the most reliable flow-state machine available. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains the neuroscience behind why it works and what it does for attention and focus.
Understanding ADHDSystems for Clarity: What Naval Ravikant and Dan Sullivan Teach the ADHD Mind
Two of the sharpest thinkers of the last fifty years built their lives around systems that create clarity and freedom. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains what their frameworks mean for the ADHD brain — and how to use them.
Understanding ADHDThe Different Types of ADHD — A Parent's Guide to the Five Profiles
ADHD is not one thing. It's five distinct neurological profiles — each looking different, each needing different strategies. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains the Winnie the Pooh framework for understanding which type your child has.
Understanding ADHDThe Five Core Symptoms of ADHD — What Parents and Adults Need to Know
Most people think ADHD is about hyperactivity or attention. It's actually a five-part condition — and without understanding all five parts, you'll keep misreading what you're seeing. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains each one in plain language.
Understanding ADHDThe Six Types of ADHD: A Complete Guide for Parents and Adults
ADHD is not one thing. Understanding which type fits your child — or yourself — is the first step toward treatment that actually works. Dr. Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., explains all six presentations.
Understanding ADHDTigger Type: Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
Remember Tigger from Winnie the Pooh? He's bouncy. He's talking over everyone. He's running ahead before anyone else has taken a step. He laughs hard. He l
Understanding ADHDUnderstanding ADHD Symptoms in Children and Teenagers
ADHD looks different in different children — sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, sometimes anxious. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains what to watch for across the three core profiles and what to do when you see it.
Understanding ADHDWhat Is ADHD? A Plain-Language Guide
Most people have heard the word ADHD. Far fewer understand what it actually is.
Understanding ADHDWinnie the Pooh Type: Inattentive ADHD
You know Pooh Bear. He's sweet. He's gentle. He means well — he genuinely does. He just wandered off in the middle of what he was doing again. He forgot wh
Understanding ADHDWorking Memory and Time Blindness in ADHD
He forgot. She didn't know it was that late. He thought he had more time. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains the two neurological systems behind these patterns — and the practical tools that actually help.
Understanding ADHDYour Brain's Secret Problem-Solving Machine — And Why It Matters for ADHD
The ADHD brain is not a broken problem-solving machine. It's running a different operating system. Dr. Douglas Cowan explains the neuroscience of how this brain actually works — and why that changes everything.