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News and Research
Science-backed Information for Better Care
ScienceWorks is a modern telepsychology practice offering evidence-based care for: Autism & ADHD, Anxiety & Depression, OCD, Trauma, Insomnia, Kids & Families, and more.
These conditions frequently co-occur, can be difficult to diagnose, and also difficult to treat - often requiring specialist knowledge and direct clinical experience to achieve the best possible outcomes.
That's why research and training are the foundation of our work.
Our goal is sharing our knowledge with our friends, clients, and partners to build a stronger, more informed mental health community.
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AuDHD Assessment in Adults: When ADHD and Autism Overlap (Particularly for Midlife Women)
Last reviewed: 02/26/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’re looking into an AuDHD assessment , you’re probably not trying to collect labels. You’re trying to make sense of patterns like: “Why is work doable some days and impossible on others?” “Why do social situations drain me?” “Why do I crave novelty and also need predictability?” In this article, you’ll learn: What “AuDHD” means and why ADHD and autism can coexist The overlap clinicians untangle in an ADHD and autism

Ryan Burns
Feb 267 min read


Late-Diagnosed ADHD in Women: Signs in Adult Women and When It’s Time for an Assessment
Last reviewed: 03/15/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’re researching late-diagnosed ADHD in women, you may be trying to understand ADHD in adult women, the signs of late-diagnosed ADHD, why it gets missed, and when an assessment makes sense. You may have tried planners, therapy, and “trying harder,” while the self-criticism keeps growing. An assessment is about clarity for patterns that have been persistent and costly. In this article, you’ll learn: Common signs of AD

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 269 min read


Private ADHD Assessment vs Neuropsych Testing: Which One Do You Need?
Last reviewed: 02/26/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’re searching for a private ADHD assessment , you’ll quickly notice that “testing” can mean very different things from one clinic to another. Some clinics offer a focused adult ADHD assessment built around a diagnostic interview and rating scales, while others recommend full neuropsychological testing for adhd in adults that looks broadly at learning, memory, and cognitive strengths. Both approaches can be appropria

Ryan Burns
Feb 267 min read


ADHD Testing Nashville: What “Evidence-Based” Looks Like for Adult Women
Last reviewed: 02/26/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’re searching for ADHD testing providers in Nashville as an adult woman, the results can feel inconsistent: directories, quick “online tests,” medication visits, and full evaluations that all use the same words. This guide breaks down what “evidence-based” should mean so you can choose an assessment that’s thorough, fair, and actually helpful. In this article, you’ll learn: Why Nashville listings can be confusing Wh

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 267 min read


Circadian Rhythm Disorder vs Insomnia: Are You a Night Owl - or Stuck in a Sleep Disorder Pattern?
Last reviewed: 02/23/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’ve ever Googled circadian rhythm disorder vs insomnia at 3 a.m., you’re not alone. The confusing part is that both can involve “I can’t fall asleep,” both can wreck your mornings, and both can feed sleep anxiety. In this article, you’ll learn: The key difference between a timing problem and a sleep ability problem What delayed sleep phase often looks like (and why weekends can be a clue) What classic insomnia patt

Ryan Burns
Feb 238 min read


ROCD vs Relationship Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference (and Why Reassurance Backfires)
Last reviewed: 02/23/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’re stuck in “ROCD vs relationship anxiety” questions, you’re not alone. Both can involve fear, doubt, and a strong urge to figure it out right now . The difference is that ROCD (relationship OCD) runs on intrusive doubt plus compulsive attempts to get certainty, and those attempts usually make the doubts louder over time. In this article, you’ll learn: The short answer: what makes ROCD different from relationship a

Ryan Burns
Feb 238 min read


Online ERP Therapy: What Telehealth ERP Actually Looks Like (Between Sessions, Too)
Last reviewed: 02/23/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly Online ERP therapy can feel mysterious at first, especially if you’ve only heard “exposure therapy” described as something extreme. In real life, telehealth ERP is usually structured, collaborative, and designed to help you practice in the places OCD actually shows up, including at home. In this article, you’ll learn: The biggest misconception about ERP (and why “exposure” isn’t flooding) What an ERP session looks like on

Ryan Burns
Feb 238 min read


Y-BOCS Scoring: What Your OCD Severity Score Means (and How Treatment Planning Works)
Last reviewed: 03/18/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly Y-BOCS scores help describe OCD severity. In other words, Y-BOCS scoring is meant to be a guide, not a verdict about you. What matters most is how OCD is functioning in real life, how much it is limiting your week, and what kind of treatment support is needed next.[1][4] If you felt a rush of fear or shame after seeing a higher number, that reaction makes sense. Many people read a score and immediately start wondering wha

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 237 min read


High masking autism in women: Signs That Get Misread as Anxiety (and What Evaluation Looks Like)
Last reviewed: 02/23/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly High masking autism in women can get mislabeled as “just anxiety,” especially when someone is bright, capable, and socially skilled on the surface. If you’ve done years of coping strategies, therapy, and self-help but still feel like daily life takes an outsized amount of effort, it may be worth looking at what’s driving the stress, not just how the stress shows up. In this article, you’ll learn: Why anxiety treatment som

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 239 min read


Adult ADHD Assessment in Tennessee: What to Expect (Timeline, Report, and Next Steps)
Last reviewed: 02/23/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’re considering an adult ADHD assessment , you’re probably looking for two things: clarity (is it ADHD, something else, or both?) and a plan you can actually use. The process can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve been dismissed before or you’re worried you’ll “mess up” the appointment. In this article, you’ll learn: What usually happens in an ADHD assessment for adults, in what order What a comprehensive evalu

Ryan Burns
Feb 238 min read


PHQ-9 Depression Screening: PHQ-9 scoring and how to interpret it safely
Your PHQ-9 score can feel scary or confusing. This guide explains phq-9 score meaning, severity ranges, and how to use your results safely, including what to do if you checked the self-harm item and how to get support in Tennessee.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 197 min read


AuDHD Traits in Adults: Why Screeners Can Feel Contradictory
If you’re searching audhd traits adults and your screener results feel “all over the place,” you’re not alone. When autism and ADHD overlap, traits can pull in opposite directions, and masking, anxiety, or burnout can skew self-tests. This guide explains why contradictions happen, what patterns matter most, and how to use screeners to plan a calm next step.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 197 min read


Autistic Masking vs Social Anxiety vs People-Pleasing
Last reviewed: 02/19/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you have ever googled autistic masking vs social anxiety and still felt unsure, you are not alone. In adults, all three patterns can look like the same "polite, put-together" person on the outside, while the inside story is totally different. In this article, you'll learn: Why masking, social anxiety, and people-pleasing get mixed up The "driver underneath" each pattern Practical clues you can use in real life How the

Ryan Burns
Feb 198 min read


Burnout vs depression symptoms: how to spot the real driver
When you’re running on fumes, it’s hard to tell what’s happening. This guide breaks down burnout vs depression symptoms and executive dysfunction, with practical clues and quick screeners to help you choose the next right step.

Ryan Burns
Feb 197 min read


ADHD or Anxiety? Why Screeners Can Feel Confusing When You’re Stressed: ADHD vs anxiety symptoms adults
ADHD vs anxiety symptoms adults can blur under stress. Learn how worry, shutdown, and sleep loss affect screeners like ASRS and GAD-7—and what to do next.

Ryan Burns
Feb 197 min read


ASRS Scoring Explained: What Your Results Might Mean
Confused by ASRS v1.1 scoring? This guide explains what a positive Part A screen means (and doesn’t), what can inflate scores, and smart next steps if you want an ADHD evaluation.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 197 min read


Is My Medication Not Working? Perimenopause ADHD Treatment Questions to Ask in Perimenopause
Perimenopause ADHD can make focus, sleep, and emotional regulation feel shakier, even if your prescription hasn’t changed. Here’s what to track and ask at your next visit.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1210 min read


Perimenopause Sensory Overload: When Noise, Heat, Clothes, and Touch Become “Too Much”
Perimenopause sensory overload can turn everyday input—noise, heat, seams, and touch - into “too much.” Learn why thresholds shift, how autism/ADHD can intersect, and practical ways to prevent shutdowns and recover faster.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1210 min read


AuDHD + Perimenopause: When ADHD and Autism Pull You in Opposite Directions
AuDHD perimenopause can feel like being pulled in opposite directions: the ADHD side craves novelty and stimulation while the autistic side needs predictability and reduced input. Learn why midlife hormone shifts can intensify executive dysfunction, sensory overload, masking, and burnout, plus what to consider if you’re seeking an AuDHD assessment in Tennessee.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1210 min read


ADHD and Menopause: Why Symptoms Can Spike Even If You’ve “Always Coped”
Last reviewed: 02/12/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’ve spent decades “keeping it together,” it can be jarring when ADHD and menopause seem to team up and your symptoms suddenly spike. Tasks that used to be manageable take twice the effort. Brain fog shows up at the worst times. Your patience feels thinner, and your usual systems stop working. This is common, and it’s not a personal failure. The menopause transition can change sleep, mood, and cognition, and many wom

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1211 min read
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