Other Types of Specialists
In addition to psychiatrists and psychologists, there are many other types of specialists who diagnose and help treat adult ADHD and who may be able to offer additional assistance with assessment, coping skills, behavioral modification, and problem solving.
Master and Doctoral Level Counselors
Provided they have the appropriate training, they can do an initial assessment and help you deal with a wide variety of everyday life skills and problems. However, they must refer you to a doctor or another professional for medication and medical testing. They may also provide services like neurofeedback and biofeedback.
Individual, group, family, and marriage counselors and therapists can provide help in dealing with specific issues like getting along in social settings, functioning at work, parenting, organizational issues at home, and dealing with adult ADHD-related problems in relationships and marriage.
Social Workers
Social workers are usually employed by public or private health care agencies to offer counseling. Treatment is generally affordable. While social workers may be able to offer an initial diagnosis, they often lack the training necessary to distinguish between the symptoms of adult ADHD and overlapping conditions like clinical depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Adult ADHD Coaches
One of the fastest-growing resources for adults with ADHD is in the area of ADHD coaching. Coaches specialize in helping people manage everyday problems and situations, such as organization, time management, memory, follow-through, and motivation.
Unlike psychiatrists and psychologists, they don't give advice or counsel, nor are they concerned with delving into or rehashing past mistakes, setbacks, or negative experiences. Instead, they address the present, using an approach that asks clients to focus on where they are now, where they want to be, and how they can get there.
Alert
Unlike doctors, coaches are not licensed by regulatory boards, nor are they required to undergo special training or licensing to practice. For this reason, some medical professionals question the validity of coaching as supplemental therapy. For more information on accredited coaches in your area, visit the International Coaching Federation website.
Support Groups and Online Resources
If you have adult ADHD, it may be a good idea to join an adult ADHD support group in your community. Ask your therapist if she has suggestions on local support groups to join, or go to CHADD's website for a list of support groups throughout the country. You can also call your local college or university mental health counselor for suggestions.
Support groups can provide you with information on recommended physicians, specialists, and treatments in your areas, and may also offer you the moral support you need. Online resources can be a convenient way to access up-to-date information and resources on adult ADHD.
