ADHD treatment online

Millions of Americans suffer from ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and countless more go undiagnosed every year. It’s a complex, challenging condition that can disrupt nearly every area of your life. Fortunately, treatment works and in many cases telehealth is an option.

If you have ADHD or are concerned you might, the first step is to see a qualified mental healthcare professional, like a psychiatrist, who can evaluate your symptoms and help determine the most appropriate treatment plan. While it may feel tempting to want to manage your ADHD symptoms on your own, getting professional support can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

Although ADHD develops in childhood, it is sometimes not recognized or diagnosed until adulthood. Even then, it can be hard to get a proper ADHD diagnosis. Though there are some variation in the specific presentations between adult ADHD and child ADHD, the diagnosis is the same. Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD have learned to hide their symptoms. It’s one of the reasons the condition can’t be diagnosed based on a quick conversation or observation—it requires a thorough evaluation from a qualified professional, who will also rule out other mental health conditions such as learning disabilities or mood disorders.

It’s important to note that nearly everyone experiences some of the symptoms of ADHD from time to time. There are many things that can affect your focus or behavior, including stress, lifestyle changes, relationship issues, and physical problems (like lack of sleep). Experiencing periodic inattentive or hyperactive behaviors doesn’t necessarily mean you have ADHD.

In people with ADHD, these symptoms are chronic, meaning they’ve been going on for years, and can be traced back to early childhood. (For many, symptoms first appear between the ages of 3 and 6). In addition, they’re severe enough to cause ongoing problems in a person’s career, academic, and/or social life.

Only a qualified healthcare provider can diagnose ADHD. If you think you or a loved one might have it, it’s important to seek out appropriate care. ADHD treatment options are available, and can make a huge difference in your symptoms and quality of life.

There’s no difference between ADHD and ADD. Although ADD used to be the term used to describe the condition, it’s considered outdated by modern terms. Today, anyone who meets the diagnostic criteria is said to have ADHD, regardless of type.

Researchers have not yet isolated the specific causes of ADHD, but both genetics and environmental factors are thought to play a part. No specific gene has been identified as the cause of the condition, however research indicates that relatives of people with ADHD are more likely to have it.

Environmental factors that are thought to increase your risk for ADHD include:

• Low birth weight
• Premature birth
• Exposure to toxins before birth, like tobacco, alcohol, or lead

In general, men are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than women, and women are more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive type ADHD.

People with ADHD often have other conditions as well (comorbidities), including:

• Learning disabilities
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Substance abuse disorders

Psychiatric mental health professionals use an evidence-based approach to understanding, diagnosing, and treating conditions. They:

• Get to the root cause of how you’re feeling
• Your first visit is a full exam so you and your psychiatrist can discuss your goals, history, and feelings in-depth.
• Work with you on a treatment plan you’re comfortable with
• We use shared decision-making to personalize a plan that can include medication and therapy. Our goal: Help you make informed choices about your care. Some states have regulations about prescribing controlled substances, especially for stimulants like adderall. If these apply to your state and treatment, your clinician will talk you through your options.
• Track your healing with regular follow-ups
• Follow-ups are typically scheduled for 30 minutes so you have the time to continue the conversation about your care. They’ll also be there to discuss any side effects you may be experiencing and make adjustments to your dose or meds.

After your ADHD assessment and diagnosis, depending on your symptoms and needs, your psychiatrist may recommend medication as part of your treatment plan. Stimulant medications (or psychostimulants) are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. These medications can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity while improving your ability to concentrate.

Stimulants work by increasing certain brain chemicals which are important for thinking and paying attention. They usually start working very quickly to manage symptoms within a short time frame. Stimulants have been widely studied for their ability to control ADHD symptoms, and with proper medical supervision, they are well tolerated and effective.

However, stimulants aren’t right for everyone with ADHD, which is why it’s important to work with a psychiatrist who understands your exact needs and situation. Non-stimulant medications can also be prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms—either on their own, or in combination with stimulants.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapy technique that’s been shown to successfully help treat the common symptoms of ADHD. This short-term, goal-oriented type of talk therapy can help people with ADHD train themselves to think before they act, avoid unnecessary risks, and implement specific strategies to improve focus.

CBT can also help disrupt negative patterns of thinking common in people with ADHD. Unfortunately, it’s common for people with ADHD to suffer from low self-esteem and negative outlook on life. For many, a lifetime of small mistakes, missed deadlines, and poor motivation can be extremely demoralizing. They may also falsely feel like these behaviors are “their fault,” which can lead to unhealthy self-beliefs. CBT can interrupt these patterns of thought, leading to higher self-esteem, productivity, and happiness.

At Talkiatry, we schedule 60 minutes for your initial visit and 30 minutes for follow-up visits, which allows us to incorporate supportive therapy into your psychiatry appointments. If you and your psychiatrist feel you’d benefit from additional therapy, you can also work with a psychiatrist-therapist team in a collaborative care model.

We absolutely do. Because we believe online psychiatry services should be affordable and accessible. We partner with major insurers (like Blue Cross, Optum, Aetna, Cigna, United, and more, including some medicare plans) to help make high-quality mental health care more affordable.  Just like any other doctor (like your primary care physician) we bill your insurance after your visit and won’t charge you until they’ve reviewed your claim.

It depends. Most mental health conditions can benefit from virtual treatment (also called telepsychiatry) but some conditions need to be treated with in-person care. If you’re not sure, online psychiatry can be a good place to start. Your psychiatric provider will let you know if they think you will benefit from in-person care. Take our short assessment to see if Talkiatry is a good fit for you.

Some do. Psychiatrists specialize in treating mental health conditions through medication management, but many psychiatrists are also trained in talk therapy.  

At Talkiatry, you can expect supportive therapy throughout your sessions. Supportive therapy means that in addition to treating mental health conditions with medication, our psychiatrists will take the time to talk you through and offer coping skills for any mental health challenge you’re facing.

If your psychiatrist thinks additional treatment options, like dedicated therapy services can help with your mental health and general well-being, they’ll provide a recommendation as part of your treatment plan.

We want you to have the time to talk about what’s on your mind. How long your psychiatry sessions are depends on the type of visit. For adults, your first visit (which includes an initial evaluation) is typically 60 minutes. Follow-ups are typically 30 minutes. First visits for child, adolescent, and geriatric patients are typically scheduled for 75 minutes, with follow-ups being 45 minutes.

When you need care wait times for appointments can be a big factor. Typically we can see you in days.

We don’t have a pharmacy. Like many medical specialists we send your prescription to your preferred local pharmacy who will fill it for you.