ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition causing persistent inattention, impulsivity and sometimes hyperactivity that begins in childhood and often continues into adulthood. Diagnosis is clinical, based on a structured interview and rating scales. First-line treatment is stimulant medication (methylphenidate or amphetamine class), with non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine and guanfacine as alternatives, plus skills-based therapy. Stedfast Psychiatry treats ADHD at 118 Springhall Drive in Goose Creek and by video across South Carolina; new patients call (561) 234-4344.
ADHD in Adults and Children at our Goose Creek office
For ADHD treatment, residents of Brickhope Plantation, Liberty Hall Plantation, Foxbank Plantation and Carnes Crossroads and Hanahan, North Charleston, Moncks Corner and Charleston are usually within a short drive. The office is in central Goose Creek near the US-52 (Goose Creek Boulevard) and Red Bank Road corridor.
New-patient scheduling for Goose Creek runs through (561) 234-4344. Existing patients reach the office directly at (561) 402-3971. Free surface parking is available in front of the building, with accessible spaces near the suite entrances. If a same-week in-person slot is not open, a video visit with the same provider usually is.
Stedfast Psychiatry's Deep TMS and Spravato programs are open to South Carolina patients: the evaluation, screening scales and insurance authorization are done at the Goose Creek office or by video, and treatment sessions are scheduled at our Florida treatment centers. Your Goose Creek provider will tell you plainly whether a treatment course is practical for you.
Who you will see in Goose Creek
The Goose Creek team includes psychiatrist Dr. Chad Ford. Children and teens are seen by Chad Ford.
Dr. Chad Ford, MD
Psychiatrist · Adolescents through older adults
Signs of ADHD
- Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, reading or conversations
- Frequent careless mistakes and missed details
- Trouble organizing tasks, time and belongings
- Starting many projects and finishing few
- Losing keys, phone, paperwork or other essentials
- Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Restlessness, fidgeting or feeling internally driven
- Interrupting, blurting out or difficulty waiting
How we diagnose it
There is no single test for ADHD; the diagnosis is clinical. At Stedfast Psychiatry an ADHD evaluation includes a structured interview covering symptoms in childhood and today, functioning at work or school and at home, and a developmental, medical and family history. We use validated rating scales: the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and Conners or Vanderbilt scales for children and teens, with input from a parent, teacher or partner whenever possible. We screen for conditions that cause similar symptoms or coexist with ADHD, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, learning disabilities, substance use and thyroid disease. We ask about cardiovascular history, blood pressure and heart rate before prescribing stimulants, and request an EKG when there is a personal or family history of cardiac problems. For complex cases we can refer for formal neuropsychological testing.
An estimated 7 million US children aged 3 to 17 (11.4 percent) have ever been diagnosed with ADHD.
Source: CDC, National Survey of Children's Health 2022
About 4.4 percent of US adults have ADHD, and fewer than one in five of them have been diagnosed and treated.
Source: NIMH, National Comorbidity Survey Replication
Stimulant medications produce a meaningful response in roughly 70 to 80 percent of people with ADHD.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Psychiatric Association clinical guidance
Roughly 60 to 70 percent of children with ADHD continue to have impairing symptoms in adulthood.
Source: Longitudinal studies summarized by the American Psychiatric Association
Treatment for ADHD in Goose Creek
Medication management
Stimulants are first-line for ADHD at every age and help 70 to 80 percent of people. The two families are methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin) and amphetamine (Adderall, Vyvanse, Mydayis), each available in short and long-acting forms. We usually start with a long-acting formulation to cover the whole day and adjust the dose every one to two weeks until symptoms are controlled with acceptable side effects, typically within four to eight weeks. Non-stimulants are used when stimulants are not tolerated, when there is a history of substance misuse, when anxiety or tics are prominent, or by preference: atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) are norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors that take four to six weeks for full effect; guanfacine XR (Intuniv) and clonidine XR (Kapvay) are alpha-2 agonists that help impulsivity and hyperactivity and can be combined with a stimulant. Monitoring includes blood pressure, heart rate, weight, sleep and appetite at each visit, and growth tracking in children. Stimulants are controlled substances with specific prescribing rules, including for telehealth.
Psychotherapy and skills training
Medication improves attention, but it does not teach organization. CBT adapted for ADHD focuses on planning systems, time management, task initiation and managing the emotional fallout of years of missed deadlines. For children, parent behavior training and classroom accommodations (a 504 plan or IEP) are core treatments, and for young children under six behavior therapy comes before medication. ADHD coaching and executive-function skills training are useful adjuncts for adults and college students.
What to expect
The first visit is a 60-minute evaluation, in person or by video, that includes rating scales completed ahead of time. If ADHD is confirmed and medication is appropriate, a prescription is sent that day or after any needed cardiac screening. Follow-ups are every two to four weeks during dose titration, then every three months once stable, as required for controlled-substance prescribing. Telehealth follow-ups are available in Florida and South Carolina, within the current federal and state rules on prescribing stimulants by video.
The complete guide, including causes, subtypes and research, is on our ADHD in Adults and Children page.
Emergency and crisis resources near Goose Creek
In an emergency, call 911 or go to Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital Emergency Department (100 Callen Blvd, Summerville). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text 24 hours a day. Trident Medical Center Emergency Room and 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are also listed on the Goose Creek office page.
Frequently asked questions
Who provides ADHD treatment at the Goose Creek office?
The Goose Creek team includes psychiatrist Dr. Chad Ford. Every provider works under psychiatrist oversight and the same evaluation standard: about an hour for a first visit, validated screening scales, and a written plan.
Can I be seen by video instead of coming to Goose Creek?
Yes. Stedfast Psychiatry providers are licensed in South Carolina and offer video visits for evaluations and follow-ups. Some situations, including certain controlled-substance prescriptions and first visits for young children, require an in-person appointment at 118 Springhall Drive.
Does the Goose Creek office take my insurance?
We accept most major commercial plans and Medicare. Call (561) 234-4344 with your member ID and we will verify benefits before the visit. Self-pay new-patient evaluations are $185.
How soon can a new patient be seen in Goose Creek?
Most new patients are scheduled within one to two weeks. If you need to be seen sooner, ask about a video visit; those often open up within days. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room rather than waiting.
Can I get Deep TMS or Spravato as a Goose Creek patient?
Yes. Stedfast Psychiatry is licensed for both. Your Goose Creek provider does the evaluation and the prior authorization; treatment sessions are scheduled at our Palm Beach Gardens TMS center and the Palm Beach Gardens Spravato rooms.
How do I get tested for ADHD as an adult?
Schedule an ADHD evaluation with a psychiatric provider. You will complete the ASRS screening scale, then have a structured interview that covers your childhood, current symptoms and how they affect your life. Old report cards or input from a parent or partner help but are not required. Most adults receive a diagnosis and treatment plan at the first visit; formal neuropsychological testing is only needed when the picture is unclear or when learning disabilities are suspected.
What are the non-stimulant options for ADHD?
Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) are once-daily norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors that are not controlled substances and take four to six weeks to reach full effect. Guanfacine XR and clonidine XR help impulsivity, hyperactivity and sleep, and are often combined with a stimulant in children. Bupropion is used off-label in adults who also have depression. Non-stimulants are somewhat less effective on average than stimulants but are the right choice for many people.
Nearby Stedfast offices
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. Educational content; individual results vary. Reviewed by Dr. David Husted, board-certified psychiatrist.