ADHD Treatments In-Person and Online
Diagnosed with ADHD? Explore different treatment options available including therapy and medication management from LifeStance psychiatrists and mental health counselors.
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ADHD Treatments
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) it is important for you to know that many treatment options are available. The most important next step you can take is to find the right mental health care professional. LifeStance can help.
For some people it may feel natural to seek treatment from their primary care doctor after getting a diagnosis for ADHD. Your doctor is trusted, knows you, and is convenient to you. But they may not be the best qualified person to design a treatment plan and help you with your ADHD symptoms in the long-term.
A doctor who does not specialize in ADHD may not have a clear understanding or the experience to treat your ADHD symptoms, may even be biased against the diagnosis. A psychologist or a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of ADHD is the professional who is best equipped to treat ADHD in children, teens, and adults.
Choosing the Right Doctor for Your ADHD Treatment
It is important to know that only certain medical professionals can prescribe medication and perform thorough physical evaluations to rule out other possible causes of symptoms of ADHD. These professionals are physicians (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (P.A.) under the supervision of a physician.
You want to choose a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in treating patients with ADHD because they will be the most up to date on research and treatments for ADHD. The difference between psychologists and psychiatrists:
Psychologists treat ADHD with different types of behavioral therapies, but they cannot prescribe medications.
Psychiatrists treat ADHD with behavioral therapies too but can also prescribe specific ADHD medications as part of your overall treatment.
ADHD Treatment Options Include:
- Therapy for ADHD
- Medication Management
- ADHD Coaching
- Non-medical approaches
Therapy can help you cope with many challenges that come from ADHD such as time management, organization, and problem-solving. Mastering these skills can help someone feel like they have more control over their life. And by feeling more in control of any symptoms, they are more likely to realize that their symptoms are simply the effects of living with ADHD and not personal character flaws.
Whether you’re looking for concrete steps to take and skills to learn or more insight-oriented therapy to learn how some of your habits are affecting your life and relationships, there is a type of therapy out there that’s right for you.
There are Many Different Therapies for ADHD including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- ADHD Coaching
- Supportive Psychotherapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- ADHD Therapy for Children
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for ADHD
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is generally considered to be the gold standard for ADHD psychotherapy. Some of the things it can help with include improving daily life struggles such as procrastination, time management, and poor planning. CBT helps people find new coping strategies as well as find the emotions and behaviors that interfere with implementing these strategies. Behavior therapy can be helpful for kids, teens, and adults, especially in combination with medication.
All of these options may sound confusing, but meeting with a psychologist or psychiatrist will help you understand how each therapy works and determine which one is the best fit for you. The goal of all therapies is to manage ADHD symptoms and challenges and keep those challenges from getting in the way at school, at work, and in everyday life.
Medication and ADHD Treatment
Medication is typically used for adults and children dealing with ADHD because it has proven to be successful. Studies have shown that medication works well for around 80% of people with ADHD, as long as they’re getting the type and dosage that’s right for them. Still, some people have questions or concerns about medications. That’s why it’s best to speak to a trusted medical professional to determine what’s right for you.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Some people have ADHD and other mental health disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse. If this is the case then an ADHD psychiatrist can help coordinate the treatment of these disorders, and help you find the correct combination of medications if more than one is necessary.
LifeStance Health specializes in ADHD Treatments In-Person and Online with over 600 locations in 34 states. Services vary by location.
Find a location near you:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Adding an ADHD Coach Into Your Support System
While living with ADHD can be challenging, it’s so important to recognize the many positive aspects to ADHD as well. Individuals with ADHD carry many unique capabilities that can even seem like superpowers to others and it’s imperative that ADHD people feel empowered to embrace their inner superhero. An ADHD coach is a trained professional who will help you handle the activities that are challenging due to your ADHD symptoms, and claim the ADHD “superpowers.” Think of an ADHD coach as a “life coach” specifically trained to help kids, teens, and adults with ADHD to better manage their lives.
An ADHD coach can help you with:
- Goal setting
- Organization
- Planning and management skills
- Impulse control
- Self-esteem building
- Healthier relationships
- Clearer judgement
- Self-motivation
- Time management skills
- A greater sense of self-sufficiency
Non-Medical Approaches to ADHD
Medication is the most effective treatment for people with ADHD. But there are other non-medical approaches that often help people with ADHD to feel better, including:
- Getting more exercise
- Doing activities in the outdoors
- Practicing mindfulness
- Eating a healthy diet
- Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs
Other Approaches That Can Help
Certain accommodations can help keep ADHD challenges from getting in the way at school or at work. You can help create an environment where people with ADHD can do their best work at school or in the workplace. Examples of accommodations include getting extra time on tests or having a quiet space to work in a classroom or office. This can often be arranged by talking to administrators or managers about specific challenges and the support that would help overcome those challenges.
National Support Organizations
CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) is the largest national support organization for ADHD. It provides education, advocacy and support for children and adults living with ADHD and their families, as well as teachers and healthcare professionals. CHADD offers programs and services locally and nationally.
ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) provides information and training resources for adults with ADHD and promotes ADHD awareness. The organization also spearheads advocacy efforts (for example, advocating for ADHD treatment in correctional facilities). They also have virtual support groups where you can connect with other people living with ADHD.
ADHD Treatments In-Person and Online FAQ
Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training, and psychological counseling. A combination of these is often the most effective treatment. It is important to note that treatments help manage your ADHD symptoms, but don’t cure ADHD.
Standard treatments for ADHD in kids are essentially the same as for adults—typically involving medication, education, skills training and psychological counseling. For kids, stimulant medications are the most effective in changing behaviors; between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking stimulant medications.
In most cases, online therapy provides the same quality of care as in-person therapy. Several studies have found that teletherapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for treating a wide range of mental health disorders.
ADHD medications treat the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder such as hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most ADHD medications work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain. It can take time to find the right ADHD medication for you, but once you find it, you’ll likely see an improvement in your symptoms.
- Methylphenidate
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Dexamfetamine
- Atomoxetine
- Guanfacine
Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medicine for ADHD. It belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that play a part in controlling attention and behavior.
There are. Nonstimulant medications include Atomoxetine (Strattera), which is a norepinephrine modulator, as is a new medication called Viloxazine (Qelbree). The other commonly used nonstimulant medications for ADHD are Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Tenex, Intuniv) which are known as alpha agonists.
- Adderall XR (amphetamine)
- Concerta (methylphenidate)
- Evekeo (amphetamine)
- Focalin XR (methylphenidate)
- Quillivant XR (methylphenidate)
- Ritalin (methylphenidate)
- Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride)
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)
Research shows that a variety of medications do a good job of managing ADHD symptoms in many children and adults. However, there are some people who would prefer to try natural supplements over drugs. Supplements that have some research to support their effectiveness for ADHD symptoms include Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Zinc, Vitamin D, Iron, Magnesium, Inositol and Gingko Biloba. Before taking any supplements, it is always best to consult with a medical doctor.
You can ask your primary physician for a recommendation or go to your health insurance company’s website to see who is in your network. There are also many online resources, such as LifeStance, that can help you find a doctor for an in-person or online appointment.
ADHD treatments are usually covered by most state-funded and commercial insurances. To be sure that it’s covered it is always best to verify this with your insurance provider first.
Insurance plans don’t usually cover the cost of coaching, but there may be ways to defray the expense including through FSAs, employer reimbursement or as an out-of-pocket medication deduction on your taxes.
It should. But under some plans your insurance may require a prior authorization before they will pay for your medication. If that is the case speak to your provider about completing the prior authorization paperwork for your ADHD medication prior to getting your prescription filled.
Many drug companies will cover part or all of the cost of a prescription medication if your insurance doesn’t cover it and you can show financial need. To find out about patient assistance programs speak to your pharmacist or mental health professional.
