Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that can cause several persistent problems, such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. When ADHD isn’t properly managed it can create a range of problems such as poor performance in work or school, relationship problems, and lowered self-esteem.

Symptoms of adult ADHD can often begin to develop in early childhood. Some people may not be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder until adulthood and some adults may never be diagnosed with it at all. ADHD symptoms in adults may not be as recognizable as the symptoms present in children. For instance, hyperactivity often decreases as people age but struggles with impulsiveness, restlessness, and lack of focus can often continue into adulthood.

There is no definitive cause of ADHD. However, certain factors may increase your likelihood of developing the condition. Risk factors and possible causes for the development of ADHD include:

- Genetics: ADHD often runs in families, so if you have a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) who has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may be at greater risk of developing the condition.

- Environment: Exposure to lead - often found in old pipes and paint - as a child may increase the risk of developing ADHD.

- Development: Substance abuse during pregnancy - e.g. if your mother smoked, drank, or used drugs during pregnancy - may increase your risk of developing ADHD. Additionally, premature birth has been linked to the development of this condition.

ADHD is classified into 3 types of behavioral patterns. While these patterns are primarily used for an ADHD diagnosis in adolescents, they can apply to adults as well. These behavior patterns, and their corresponding symptoms, are detailed below.

Inattentiveness

• Fails to pay attention to details
  
• Makes mistakes in work
  
• Difficulty with paying attention
  
• Appears not to listen, even when spoken to directly
  
• Difficulty following directions or instructions
  
• Difficulty with organization and time management
  
• Frustration and dislike of activities that require mental effort
  
• Frequently loses personal items
  
• Easily distracted
  
• Forgetfulness
  

Impulsivity/ Hyperactivity

• Difficulty staying seated or staying still
  
• Constant fidgeting or squirming while seated
  
• Constant feeling of restlessness
  
• Runs or climbs excessively, even when not appropriate
  
• Difficulty with paying attention
  
• Talks too much
  
• Interrupts others, or blurts out
  
• Has difficulty waiting
  

Some individuals may experience or manage a combination of these symptoms. Certain symptoms or signs may be more apparent than others, but several symptoms from either form of ADHD appear at the same time.

There are several standard ADHD treatment options. Treatment plans typically include medication, education, skills training, and psychological counseling, though a combination of these is often the most effective treatment. While these treatments can help to manage many symptoms of ADHD, there’s currently no cure for it. During your appointment, talk to your clinician about what treatment plan is right for you or your child.

Common methods used to treat ADHD include:

Medication

ADHD medication will not cure the disorder, but these drugs can help manage symptoms. The medication available on Sesame that can be prescribed for the treatment of ADHD include:

Non-stimulant medications

These drugs may be a good option if you can't take stimulants because of health problems, or if stimulants cause severe side effects. Examples of non-stimulant medication include:

- Atomoxetine & antidepressants: Antidepressants and atomoxetine act more slowly than stimulants and might take several weeks to fully take effect. These drugs have been shown to help improve the attention span of patients with ADHD.

- High blood pressure medication: Blood pressure medications such as guanfacine and clonidine are most commonly used as a treatment for high blood pressure, but have been shown to positively affect parts of the brain that control attention and impulse. This medication is rarely if ever, prescribed to children managing ADHD.

Counseling/ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or other mental health professionals can provide behavior treatment, social skills training, parent skills training, and counseling to ADHD patients. Other disorders, such as anxiety disorder or depression, may coexist with ADHD in certain adults. Professional counseling or psychotherapy may help you manage both ADHD and other mental health concerns in these situations.

In addition to the treatment plans listed above, your doctor may recommend alternative therapies to help promote overall well-being. These include yoga/ meditation, diet therapy, and neurofeedback training. Before starting any of these alternate therapies, talk to your doctor about their effectiveness and whether or not they are right for you or your child.

Doctors who specialize in psychiatry are trained to treat depression, anxiety, and a range of behavioral health and emotional concerns.

Psychologists can treat these disorders, as well as provide counseling services. If you're looking for couples therapy, sex therapy, or stress management therapy, a psychologist could be the doctor for you.

Connect with mental health professionals on Sesame who can assess your condition, manage your symptoms, and develop a treatment plan for you.

Therapy is a great tool to help you track your emotions, reduce stress, work on goals like quitting smoking, guide you through major life decisions, hone skills like communication, or address problem areas in your life. Talk therapy has been widely received as an effective health care treatment for many different mental health conditions including:

• Substance abuse
  
• Eating disorders
  
• Self-esteem issues
  
• Relationship problems
  
• Behavior issues
  

Therapists specialize in treating a wide range of conditions. Some of the most common therapy specializations include:

Psychotherapists: Psychotherapists help people deal with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, and insomnia.

Marriage and family therapists: Marriage and family therapists practice solution-based approaches to working through patterns of behavior within a family unit.

Social workers: Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) work in many different settings including schools, hospitals, human service agencies, private practices, and mental health clinics to help you cope with everyday problems.

Licensed professional counselors (LPC): Licensed professional counselors hold a master’s degree in mental health services and provide treatment options for a wide variety of mental health issues within local communities including services for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families.

Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC): Also known as licensed professional counselors, LHMCs provide talk therapy to families, couples, and individuals.

Couples therapists: Couples therapists provide counsel to couples seeking to improve their relationship and gain the tools needed to recognize and resolve conflicts.

Marriage and family therapists: Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) provide therapy to some or all members of a family unit to help with relationship issues. Family therapy is often short-term therapy with a finite amount of visits. Marriage counselors can also assist couples looking to end their relationship affably.

Yes! Sesame make it easier than ever to book an online therapy session, no insurance needed. The Sesame marketplace offers a range of mental health care services, including online therapist appointments, that can meet with you over video conferencing platforms to discuss symptoms of mental illness, mental health concerns, treatment options, and more.

To book an appointment, search “Online Therapy” or “Video Therapy” using Sesame’s search bar. Browse the list of available providers, and book an appointment at your convenience. You’ll receive an email confirmation with a link to your video appointment.

Every provider on Sesame treats patients differently - while maintaining the same level of quality care. Generally speaking, the first sessions are often quite similar - regardless of whether you’re seeing a couples therapist, psychotherapist, or family therapist, you are likely to experience a similar. First sessions are often used as “get to know you” sessions where you may share the history of your relationship, i.e. how you began, where you see yourselves now, and what you would like to achieve with therapy. This is a great opportunity to work through priorities and decide whether or not this therapist a good fit for you. The preliminary couples therapy session may involve separate meetings with the therapist and/or joint sessions that include both parties. In the case of family therapy, you are likely to include some/all family members.

Many therapists use a method called emotionally focused therapy (EFT) which is a short-term therapy with the goal of aiding the bond between partners. This method is based on the attachment theory, which suggests that patterns of attachment are developed early in life and stay with you as an adult.

If you are seeking couples therapy, Sesame makes it easy to find the right counselor with direct-to-patient care. No more insurance companies making decisions for you. Sesame sets fair, clear prices for every service- no mystery billing, no membership fees, no insurance mark-ups. It’s perfect for couples therapy, family counseling, and one-on-one sessions. Book a visit today and save up to 60% on counseling services.

Guanfacine ER (generic for Intuniv) is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. ADHD makes it difficult for adults to pay attention and control actions and behavior. Guanfacine ER helps control these symptoms by calming nerve impulses in the brain.

Originally called hyperkinetic impulse disorder, ADHD is one of the most common childhood diagnoses, affecting nearly 4 percent of all adults in the United States. Research shows a strong genetic link, which means you are more likely to have ADHD if your parent or sibling also has ADHD.

Looking for a safe, effective way to help control your ADHD? Talk to your doctor about whether guanfacine ER is right for you.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.