About me
As a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy, my extensive medical training, which began in 2016, has been anchored at the prestigious Department of Psychatry of the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main. There, I have dedicated my clinical and research efforts to the nuanced treatment of affective disorders and ADHD in adults,. This blend of experience has not only honed my expertise but also deepened my understanding of the complex tapestry of human mental health. My commitment to both the science and the art of healing has been a guiding principle in providing empathetic, evidence-based care to those who entrust me with their wellbeing.
After completing my studies in Educational Sciences in 2009 and Medicine in 2014 at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, I embarked on a specialized journey into psychiatry. My training at the University Hospital in Frankfurt opened doors to a profound exploration of ADHD in adults, both from a scientific and clinical perspective. This unique opportunity allowed me to integrate my educational and psychological knowledge with medical and neurobiological expertise. Under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Andy Reif and Prof. Dr. Sarah Kittel-Schneider, I passionately led the ADHD special outpatient clinic at the university hospital. My involvement in numerous research studies (as detailed in my list of publications) focused on ADHD and affective disorders, enriching my professional journey. During my tenure at the outpatient clinic, I frequently observed a trend of 'underdiagnosis' in young women, where characteristics like emotionality, shyness, and insecurity were often mistaken for mere 'feminine traits,' overshadowing potential ADHD symptoms. The challenges become particularly pronounced in adulthood, as women balance the demands of work, career, and family life, often leading to overwhelming 'breakdowns' when their compensatory mechanisms falter. As a physician and a mother, I am deeply committed to addressing this overlooked issue. My goal is to provide (young) women with accurate diagnoses and the psychological support they need, recognizing the unique challenges they face and advocating for their mental health and well-being.
publications:
Nathalie Brunkhorst-Kanaan, Sandra Trautmann, Yannick Schreiber, Dominique Thomas, Sarah Kittel-Schneider, Robert Gurke, Gerd Geisslinger, Andreas Reif, Irmgard Tegeder:“ Sphingolipid and Endocannabinoid Profiles in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder“ Biomedicines. 2021. Sep 6;9(9):1173. Doi.10.3390/biomedicines9091173.
Nathalie Brunkhorst-Kanaan, Berit Libutzki, Andreas Reif, Henrik Larsson, Rhiannon V Mc Neill, Sarah Kittel-Schneider:“ADHD and accidents over the life span- A systematic review” Neuroscience&Biobehavioral Reviews. 2021 June; 125:582-591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.002