Dr. Dara Psychiatry

01/23/2026

Did you know hormones can significantly affect how ADHD presents in women throughout their lives? From puberty and pregnancy to perimenopause and menopause, this connection is too often overlooked.

I was grateful to join CHADD and the All Things ADHD podcast for a meaningful conversation on this topic. We discussed why ADHD is frequently missed in girls and women, and how treatment needs to evolve to support them.

This is a subject I am deeply passionate about, both personally and professionally. Honored to be part of this conversation and committed to keeping it going!

Hormones don’t just affect mood—they can shape how ADHD shows up across a woman’s entire life. 🧠✨

Join Dara Abraham, DO, board-certified psychiatrist and adult ADHD specialist, as she breaks down how hormonal shifts—from puberty through perimenopause and menopause—impact focus, energy, emotional regulation, and even medication response. This is essential insight for anyone supporting girls and women with ADHD—or living it themselves.

https://chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-news-adults/adhd-weekly-how-hormones-affect-adhd-in-women/

05/13/2025

Honored to have this quote featured in ADDitude, one of the most trusted voices in ADHD education and advocacy. This issue deserves more attention, and I hope you will take a moment to read it. Many women experience hormonal shifts, mood changes, and anxiety that are too often misunderstood or dismissed. ✨ Knowledge is power. Let’s keep talking, sharing, and supporting each other. Read the full article
below: https://www.additudemag.com/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd-adhd/

01/02/2025

It is time to end the stigma around mental health. I call it "Depression Plus," when depression or irritability comes hand-in-hand with things like anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, or substance use. It is not just about feeling sad—it is a mix of symptoms that need the proper care and treatment. The good news? With the right approach, like mood stabilizers instead of antidepressants, recovery is possible. Here is how:https://wix.to/NikKRWq.

Let's talk about depression—not just the image of someone stuck in bed, crying all day. I'm talking about what I call "Depression Plus." It's not an official term, just a way to describe depression that comes with extra layers like anxiety, anger, restlessness, and difficulty focusing. Think of it...

11/24/2024

https://www.drdarapsychiatry.com/post/adhd-diagnosis-why-comprehensive-clinical-evaluations-1-5-3-hours-are-the-gold-standard-for-all-a

If you or your child is struggling with focus, behavior, or learning challenges, you may have heard about neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluations as possible steps to an ADHD diagnosis. While these assessments can provide valuable insights, one fundamental truth you need to know is that....

11/19/2024

In honor of Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19, 2024)

Dr. Dara Psychiatry is offering

**50% OFF**

ADHD and Mental Health Assessments.

A comprehensive two-hour evaluation with Nurse Practitioner Ilyssa Krane costs only $187.50.

Dr. Dara is still actively involved in every treatment plan, personally reviewing all care and medications. Additionally, Dr. Dara is available via email or text for ongoing support for all patients in the practice.

This week celebrates the resilience of the transgender community, leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20, 2024), where we remember the lives lost and reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity.

**This special offer ends at 5 PM on Friday, November 22, 2024.**

Dr. Dara Psychiatry Adult ADHD is a psychiatric concierge membership program that offers personalized care. It provides comprehensive and individualized support for adults with ADHD, addressing their specific needs through personalized treatment plans and ongoing care. Program members receive dedica...

11/14/2024

🌟 New Blog Post: Mood Variability Disorder (MVD)🌟

If you have struggled to find a diagnosis that fully captures your mood swings and fluctuating energy, Mood Variability Disorder (MVD) may be the answer.

Unlike depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, or OCD, MVD describes a unique set of symptoms that many people experience but don’t receive the proper treatment for—often enduring years of trial and error with antidepressants.

In this post, I cover:
• What is MVD, and why does it deserve its own label?
• How it differs from other mental health conditions.
• How recognizing MVD can lead to faster relief with the right treatments.

For clinicians, MVD offers a new perspective that can transform patient care. I’ve seen it make a real difference, helping people finally get the proper support and treatment.

Please read, share, and help spread the word—this knowledge could make a world of difference for someone else.

👉https://www.drdarapsychiatry.com/post/why-your-mood-and-energy-levels-fluctuate-and-how-to-find-stability

Do you ever feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster while everyone else seems steady? One week, you are unstoppable—bursting with energy, juggling work, family, and everything else. The next, you are exhausted, unfocused, and struggling to enjoy things you normally love. If this sounds fam...

11/04/2024

I rarely speak out on politics, but this election is too important to stay silent. As a healthcare provider, I see how restricted access affects daily lives. Patients are denied life-saving chemotherapy due to confusing, ever-shifting insurance policies shaped by past deregulation. Families are unable to afford essential mental health support. Transgender youth (this one hits close to home for me) are blocked from affirming care. Reproductive rights are facing relentless attacks, with bans as early as six weeks—a time when most women do not even know they are pregnant.

Tomorrow, we are voting for more than policies. We are deciding if healthcare remains a right or becomes a privilege. You may be healthy today, but access to compassionate, affordable care matters, especially when life takes an unexpected turn.

Let us vote with purpose and empathy, standing for healthcare that is accessible to all—not just to those who can navigate a broken system. Together, we can protect a healthcare system rooted in compassion, dignity, and respect for everyone.

Every day, I see patients denied the care they need—not just ADHD medications or treatments for weight loss, but life-saving interventions like chemotherapy. It is heartbreaking because it impacts everyone: transgender youth unable to access affirming healthcare in many states (something that hits...

10/20/2024

🌟 Celebrate Invisible Disability Week! 🌟
🗓 October 20-26, 2024

Do you find that your attention, emotions, and energy are out of balance? You may be experiencing undiagnosed Adult ADHD. This week, Dr. Dara Psychiatry is here to support you! 🧡 ✨

Special Offer: 50% OFF a 90-minute evaluation with Nurse Practitioner Ilyssa Krane, now just $187.50!

💰 Schedule by October 26th! ⏰
💻 to book! ➡️ Text 610-686-9161
📱, email drdara@darapsychiatry.com
📧, or message www.drdarapsychiatry.com

🧠 You are heard and supported! 🤝

10/13/2024

With their limited-time offers and tempting discounts, these deals make it easy to convince ourselves we are being thoughtful. But are we? Often, it feels like we are acting on a whim, swept up by the thrill of a bargain. Sometimes, those impulsive buys turn into guilty pleasures—items we never in...

10/08/2024

🧠 Did you know?
Research shows that up to 40% of people with treatment-resistant depression may have an underlying bipolar spectrum disorder. Treatment-resistant anxiety and insomnia can also be linked to bipolar disorders. Many individuals with these conditions respond better to mood stabilizers or antipsychotics than to standard treatments.

This is important because:
➡️ Bipolar Spectrum depression and anxiety require different treatment strategies.
➡️ Mood stabilizers or antipsychotics might be more effective than standard antidepressants or anxiety meds.

If traditional depression and anxiety treatments are not working, remember that other options are available.

When we hear the term "bipolar disorder," we often picture dramatic shifts between depressive lows and manic highs. However, the reality is far more intricate. The bipolar spectrum is a complex and diverse range of symptoms that can often mimic ADHD, OCD, and depression more than the classic image o...

09/14/2024

As a psychiatrist specializing in adult ADHD and women’s mental health—and reaching my mid-40s—I am excited to see workplace guidelines for menopause finally gaining attention. Menopause can significantly impact mental health, and creating supportive work environments is essential for women navigating this transition.

The Menopause Society announced a new initiative to support workers during this life stage. Whether employers implement it is another story.