Why Telehealth for Adult ADHD Treatment?
If you’re newly diagnosed with ADHD (or if you’re looking to be evaluated for a potential diagnosis), it’s understandable to want to be very careful about who you choose as a treatment provider. It’s important to be familiar with all of your treatment options to be able to choose the provider that’s right for you.
Telehealth services for adult ADHD may not be a traditional choice for treatment, but research has found that it’s just as effective as in-person treatment. On top of that, telehealth ADHD treatment may come with unique benefits that you wouldn’t get if you limit yourself to only in-person providers.
So why should you consider telehealth for adult ADHD treatment? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth, or telemedicine, is an umbrella term that’s used for any type of health service that’s delivered over a virtual platform. There are many types of telehealth services, from digital health apps to receiving lab results online to having a doctor’s visit over a video call. Telehealth has been around for a while, but it exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic. When people were afraid to leave their homes, especially to go to the hospital, they were able to have their health appointments online.
Many health services can be delivered through telehealth platforms, including psychotherapy and . Obviously, some hands-on medical care like surgeries can’t be delivered online. But for most minor doctor’s visits, telehealth provides us with a convenient option for treatment.
Benefits of Telehealth for Adult ADHD Treatment
People see many different health professionals for help with ADHD, from their primary care provider to their in-person therapist. Telehealth may not be the best option for everyone, but in general, it’s a safe, effective, and accessible way to receive ADHD treatment.
Studies have found that online telehealth for adult ADHD treatment is comparable to in-person ADHD treatment in terms of both effectiveness and satisfaction.
So why do people choose telehealth for adult ADHD treatment? Here are 7 specific benefits to consider.
It’s geographically accessible.
If you live in a large metropolitan area, then you may have no problem finding a local adult ADHD treatment provider in your area. But others who live in remote or rural areas might not be so lucky.
Many people, even in the U.S., find themselves without specialized medical services in their local area. Rural mental health services are especially lacking.
For people who aren’t fortunate enough to have an ADHD treatment provider in their area, telehealth services can make ADHD treatment more accessible. They can receive quality, specialized ADHD treatment without having to commute outside of their area. This helps bridge the gap between the adults who need ADHD treatment and those who are actually getting it.
You can choose a provider who specializes in adult ADHD.
When you’re seeking assessment or treatment for adult ADHD, it’s important to see a provider that specializes in ADHD. ADHD is still such a misunderstood condition, which is why so many people reach adulthood without ever having received the correct diagnosis. Seeing a general practitioner for ADHD is, in many ways, a game of chance. Some practitioners may have expertise on adult ADHD, but others may not.
If you choose a telehealth platform, you can choose to work specifically with an ADHD specialist. This will make it more likely that your provider will be able to catch all the signs and symptoms of ADHD that may be affecting you and refer you to the type of treatment that’s right for your specific situation.
Teletherapy is effective.
Some people worry that mental health services over telehealth aren’t as effective as in-person therapy. Research so far shows us that this isn’t the case. Studies have found that online mental health therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy.
That means you don’t have to worry about whether you’re getting quality treatment if you choose an online platform — and you can focus more on whether your treatment provider has specialized experience in treating adult ADHD.
Telehealth saves money and time.
Even if you have an ADHD provider in your local area, the time and money that you spend on commuting to appointments adds up. You’re a busy adult, and getting ADHD treatment should make your life easier, not more complicated.
Telehealth appointments can save you time and money by taking the commute out of the equation. You can also save time and money on smaller details, like having to get professionally dressed. We can’t speak for all online treatment providers, but at Focus Partners, we don’t care if you arrive at your appointment wearing pajama bottoms!
Telehealth simplifies the treatment process.
Because telehealth appointments are so much easier to attend, the treatment process (from initial consultation to follow-up) is often more simplified when receiving services online.
After going through your initial assessment and receiving an ADHD diagnosis, your treatment provider will probably prescribe you with medication. But the process shouldn’t end there — regular follow-up appointments are important so your provider can monitor your symptoms and how you’re reacting to the meds. Telehealth makes it easier to attend these follow-up appointments without canceling or postponing them.
Telehealth can be easier for people with ADHD.
On top of other things, ADHD makes it hard for people to keep their schedules and tasks organized. Attending treatment appointments may feel like yet another task on the never-ending to-do list, and it’s easy to become so overwhelmed that you put off making an appointment at all.
Communicating online, and not having to physically transport yourself to an office, can make it easier for people with ADHD to keep up with appointments. There’s often more flexibility in scheduling with online appointments, as well. For example, you don’t need to account for commuting time or traffic. All of this makes telehealth appointments much easier for adults with ADHD.
Telehealth can feel like a natural way to communicate for millennials and Gen Z patients.
Younger people grew up using technology for communication, and they often primarily communicate with their friends through technology, too. In some cases, seeing a treatment provider online might feel more natural to you than visiting an unknown office somewhere.
If you attend telehealth appointments at home, it can sometimes also give your provider a glimpse into your life that they wouldn’t necessarily get if you went to their office. You might feel more natural at home, and more free to be yourself rather than trying to mask your symptoms. This can give your provider a more accurate look into what you’re going through and how ADHD affects your life.
Online Adult ADHD Treatment with Focus Partners
At Focus Partners, we’re committed to providing effective and trustworthy treatment online for adults with ADHD. Our online clinic specializes in adult ADHD, so you can feel confident that you’re receiving treatment from providers who know ADHD very well. We offer online assessment and diagnosis, online medication management, and other services.
We are here to listen to you and empower you to unlock your full potential. Get started by taking our initial online ADHD assessment and find your focus now. Our team works with adults residing in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and New York.