An ADHD diagnosis can provide someone with the clarity and validation they need to find the right support and begin building a life around a new sense of self.

Diagnosis is based on an assessment of symptom expression and cannot be tested through brain scans or blood tests. This can include a combination of self-assessments, assessments by a qualified practitioner, and collected reports by others. The causation of ADHD is complex but largely biological and it is highly hereditary (parent to child). Individuals with ADHD are 25-35% likely to have a child with ADHD, someone with ADHD is 25-50% likely to have a sibling with ADHD, and an identical twin is 70-92% likely to have a twin with ADHD. There is no evidence to support social factors as the cause for ADHD (parenting, life experiences, screen time etc.) unless they are exacerbating genes for ADHD that are already present. Special circumstances that can cause ADHD include brain injury, biohazards, toxins, and pregnancy complications.

Many individuals find that even just receiving a diagnosis can create a shift in their life and perspective. Having this information helps them and their loved ones understand them better, meet their needs more effectively, and improve the care they provide.

E-Therapy is unable to provide formal assessments and diagnosis but we can explore whether getting an assessment is right for you, and discuss which options best suit your needs; we’ll be there for you throughout the process, advocate on your behalf, and support your continued development afterwards.

You can visit our FAQs page where we have provided more information about assessment options.

Knowledge about ADHD is necessary for those diagnosed with ADHD, caring for someone with ADHD, or working with individuals with ADHD. Unfortunately, it’s common for little to no information to be provided to individuals and their families after receiving a diagnosis. This can lead to confusion and overwhelm; feelings of frustration and hopelessness; difficulty finding adequate support and navigating treatment challenges; and more shame and suffering. Part of the problem is the lack of healthcare providers with sufficient training and experience specific to ADHD, alongside prevalent misinformation and misunderstanding around ADHD.

At E-Therapy our support provider can provide you with in-depth knowledge about ADHD and curated credible resources. Our goal is for it to all make sense and for you to feel confident in your understanding of ADHD. You will know what it is, and how it manifests in your life; identify what you need and how to get it.

Our practitioner is not only extensively trained and certified in ADHD support provision, she is also diagnosed with ADHD. Elizabeth brings together her professional knowledge and personal understanding of ADHD to sessions by translating the clinical black-and-white text to real-life experiences and practical application.

Medication is often offered as the first course of action for ADHD because it is a highly effective intervention that can work quickly and be more cost-effective than others.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that creates quantitative differences in brain development and functioning in various areas. While symptoms can be managed in different ways, medication can also help accomplish this more directly, specifically, and quickly. ADHD medication is also one of the most effective medications overall for treating what it’s prescribed for.

While other treatment options can be explored instead, most find other options more effective in combination with medication. Aside from reducing ADHD symptoms, an individual might also consider medication because it can help remove limitations to their personal development, potentially lessen the need for other tools and medication over time; to give themselves more daily capacity, improve mood and relationships, free their full potential, and achieve goals; reduce other mental health issues, health and safety concerns, the amount of effort they have to exert for survival, and because other options are not available or accessible.

It is not necessary for someone with ADHD to have to take medication. It is an available option for individuals who find that they need additional assistance and are having difficulty managing. Speaking to a professional can help you determine whether or not medication is a good option for you by understanding what is available, what they do and how, how things could potentially be different, and whether it aligns with your goals.

Pills don’t build skills or heal emotional wounds. ADHD greatly affects executive functioning, the likelihood of adverse life experiences, and emotion regulation. Even with medication, we are still left with behaviours and coping strategies that may not be serving us anymore and scars from navigating a neurotypical-centred society. Counselling can help you develop more effective and healthy skills and strategies; build a positive sense of self and amplify your strengths.

Working with someone who specializes in ADHD support is beneficial because individuals with ADHD require specialized care. General techniques and approaches created by and for neurotypical folks are often ineffective for someone neurodivergent.

Psychotherapists are covered by most insurance plans and can provide the same functions as a coach while also having the ability to explore how your past influences the present and provide support for a wide range of concerns. Therapy can also be helpful throughout various stages of life since we are always changing.

Neurodivergent individuals often experience more stressful life events, traumas, and challenges than their neurotypical counterparts. Many develop low self-esteem, rejection sensitivity, perfectionism, demand avoidance, mood disorders, emotion dysregulation, interpersonal issues and more. Psychotherapy is helpful for addressing these other issues that often co-occur with ADHD. A therapist can help you heal past wounds, process experiences, learn new techniques, develop an authentic sense of self, and live more mindfully.

If someone is interested in therapy and they’re diagnosed with ADHD, suspects they may have ADHD or have concerns related to someone with ADHD, it can be very helpful for them to work with a therapist who is ADHD-informed regardless of whether or not their concerns are specifically about ADHD management. This ensures that support is provided with an understanding of how issues with ADHD present are different, experienced differently, and need to be considered differently, and so interventions are specialized with that knowledge to be more effective.

Medication for anxiety, depression, and/or sleep issues can also be helpful for some individuals, as well as accommodations for school and work.