Innovations in Psychiatry and ADHD – 2021

Psychiatric treatment for ADHD is simultaneously very much the same as it was for Dr. Ned Hallowell in 1981, and also dramatically improved as a result of extensive research and developments over the last few decades. Psychiatrists and other providers have many factors to consider in the medical treatment of ADHD, including genetic tendencies and predispositions, socio-economic disparities, symptoms that may come from a wide-range of co-existing conditions, and the impact of many different experiences of trauma. 

In this profoundly interesting conversation, two leading psychiatrists in the treatment of ADHD, Dr. Ned Hallowell and Dr. Sarah Vinson, meet each other for the first time and discuss nuances and inconsistencies when treating ADHD in the modern world.

About Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson

Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson is a triple board certified physician who specializes in adult, child & adolescent, and forensic psychiatry. She is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine, where she is the creator and rotation director of Psychiatry Mini-Rotation for pediatric interns. She is the co-editor of two texts, Social (In)Justice and Mental Health and Pediatric Mental Health for Primary Care Providers and has written book chapters on the social determinants of children’s mental health, child trauma, social media and children’s mental health, and fostering resilience. During her tenure on the board of the Georgia Council on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, she strengthened connections with the local pediatric community. She has planned CME events and spoken at multiple conferences with pediatric audiences. Additionally, she has experience being co-located with and providing integrated care services and consultation to pediatric providers.

Dr. Vinson is the founder of the Lorio Psych Group, an Atlanta, GA based mental health practice providing expert care and consultation. Dr. Vinson graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida A & M University. After graduating from medical school at the University of Florida with Research Honors and as an Inductee in the Chapman Humanism Honors Society, she completed her general psychiatry training at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School. While there, she also received specialized training in trauma through the Victims of Violence Program. She then returned to the South to complete fellowships in both child & adolescent and forensic psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Vinson was appointed by the Georgia governor to the 24 member Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission and is the Child Subcommittee chair.

About Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D.

Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D. is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist and world authority on ADHD. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Medical School, and was a Harvard Medical School faculty member for 21 years. He is the Founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers in Boston MetroWest, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto and Seattle.

He has spent the past four decades helping thousands of adults and children live happy and productive lives through his strength-based approach to neurodiversity, and has ADHD and dyslexia himself.

Dr Hallowell is a New York Times bestselling author and has written 20 books on multiple psychological topics. The groundbreaking Distraction series, which began with Driven to Distraction, co-authored with Dr John Ratey in 1994, sparked a revolution in understanding of ADHD.

As the host of the twice-weekly Distraction podcast, Dr. Hallowell explores with guests how to better connect with others and how each of us can implement strategies that can turn modern problems into new-found strengths. He is also a sought-after international speaker and has presented to thousands on topics including the strengths of ADHD, strategies on handling fast-paced life, parenting and a range of other pertinent family and health issues.

Dr Hallowell has been featured on 20/20, 60 Minutes, Oprah, PBS, CNN, The Today Show, Dateline, Good Morning America, The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe and many more. He is a regular columnist for ADDitude Magazine.

Dr. Hallowell lives in the Boston area with his wife Sue and they have three children, Lucy, Jack and Tucker.