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Medication, Therapy, or Both? Understanding ADHD Treatment Options for Kids

Breaking down misconceptions and supporting confident, informed decisions

When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, one of the first, and often most overwhelming, questions parents face is: What is the right treatment? Medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both?

In this episode of Thriving with ADHD, host Nada Pupovac is joined by Dr. Karen Melendez, Clinical Advisor and Supervising Physician at Animo Sano Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic, to gently and clearly unpack the realities of ADHD treatment for children.

Together, they explore:

• How stimulant medication actually works in the ADHD brain
• Common fears around medication, including addiction, growth, and side effects
• When psychotherapy alone may not be enough
• What a balanced, multimodal treatment approach looks like in real life
• How structure, school support, sleep, nutrition, and family dynamics all play a role
• Why untreated ADHD can carry greater long-term risks than many parents realize

Dr. Melendez shares practical examples, clinical insights, and compassionate guidance to help parents move from fear and confusion to clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re just beginning your ADHD journey with your child or looking to reassess your current approach, this episode offers reassurance, evidence-based information, and a reminder that you don’t have to navigate this alone.

Thank you for listening to Thriving with ADHD. This show is produced by Animo Sano Psychiatry. For more information about our clinic, please visit animosanopsychiatry.com.

Animo Sano Psychiatry has introduced new services for enhancement of our patients' mental health - ASP Concierge and Health & Wellness Program. Please visit our website to learn more.

Animo Sano Psychiatry is constantly looking for the talent in behavioral health. If you are a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or mental health therapist, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers pages to learn more about the available positions. https://animosanopsychiatry.com/careers/

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Host: Nada Pupovac | Guest: Dr. Ronald Lee, MD (Luminous Vitality Behavioral Health)

The holidays can feel like a perfect storm for adults with ADHD. Routines get disrupted, sensory and social demands ramp up, and executive function takes a hit. In this episode of Thriving with ADHD, Nada Pupovac sits down with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Ronald Lee to unpack why the season is especially tricky and, more importantly, what you can do about it.

Dr. Lee explains how disrupted sleep, cluttered schedules, travel, family dynamics, and sensory overload amplify ADHD symptoms and emotional reactivity. Then he offers clear, practical tools you can use right away: visual calendars and chunked task lists, scheduled “anchor” routines (sleep, meds, movement), short breaks and recharge rituals, simple scripts for setting boundaries, travel tips for medication, and the power of lowering perfectionism to make room for joy.

If the holidays leave you tired, scattered, or people-pleasing, this episode brings compassionate, actionable advice so you can protect your energy, stay present, and actually enjoy meaningful moments.

Thank you for listening to Thriving with ADHD. This show is produced by Animo Sano Psychiatry. For more information about our clinic, please visit animosanopsychiatry.com.

Animo Sano Psychiatry has introduced new services for enhancement of our patients' mental health - ASP Concierge and Health & Wellness Program. Please visit our website to learn more.

Animo Sano Psychiatry is constantly looking for the talent in behavioral health. If you are a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or mental health therapist, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers pages to learn more about the available positions. https://animosanopsychiatry.com/careers/

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In this inspiring episode of Thriving with ADHD, host Nada Pupovac sits down with Brock Carter, Physician Assistant at Animo Sano Psychiatry and office lead for the Tennessee branch, who’s not only a mental health clinician but also a passionate musician and producer. Together, they explore the fascinating link between ADHD and creativity how divergent thinking, impulsivity, and curiosity can both fuel and challenge creative expression.

Brock shares his perspective on embracing ADHD as a different operating system rather than a deficit, and how creativity can serve as a form of self-regulation, therapy, and empowerment. From navigating creative highs and lows to learning to “strike while the iron is hot,” this episode is filled with compassion, insight, and encouragement for anyone who’s ever felt frustrated by their creative rhythm.

Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone with a curious mind, you’ll walk away reminded that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date, and that your mind works in seasons, not on a stopwatch.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• How ADHD traits like curiosity and impulsivity can spark creativity
• The challenges of follow-through and structure in creative work
• Why creativity can be therapeutic for ADHD minds
• Practical ways to honor your natural creative rhythm
• How clinicians can encourage creative outlets in ADHD treatment

Thank you for listening to Thriving with ADHD. This show is produced by Animo Sano Psychiatry. For more information about our clinic, please visit animosanopsychiatry.com.

Animo Sano Psychiatry has introduced new services for enhancement of our patients' mental health - ASP Concierge and Health & Wellness Program. Please visit our website to learn more.

Animo Sano Psychiatry is constantly looking for the talent in behavioral health. If you are a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or mental health therapist, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers pages to learn more about the available positions. https://animosanopsychiatry.com/careers/