Common symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A person diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may have deficits in brain development and brain activity, which affect the ability to pay attention, sit still, and have self-control. The three main symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and inability to maintain focus. These can impact the person’s ability to focus in school, work, or even at home, and disturb activities of daily life.
How to get an Emotional Support Animal for ADHD
In order to get an emotional support animal for ADHD, you need to first reach out to a therapist, doctor, or other mental health professional first. The mental health professional must recommend an animal for your ADHD and provide a signed letter stating your need for it. We always recommend contacting your current LMHP if you need to qualify your pet as an emotional support animal.
However, if you don’t have access to a mental health professional near you, you can connect with one online below.
How can ESAs benefit people with ADHD with activities of daily life?
One of the main symptoms of ADHD is being unable to stay organized and plan ahead of time. Combating these requires early interventions and one solution that may help is seeing if you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). Licensed mental health professionals can recommend ESAs to help people cope with disabilities, including ADHD. If you have a valid ESA, you qualify for certain rights in housing and for air travel.
How can ESAs provide consistency?
Getting an ESA can assist the person diagnosed with ADHD to formulate a schedule as the animal must be fed, walked and played with. These routines can provide a distraction from certain triggers and stress. It could even help improve memory; if the owner forgets to perform a task for the animal, the ESA may remind them of its needs.
Are ESAs a distraction for people with ADHD?
Emotional Support Animals are a healthy distraction for people with ADHD; the person is focused on the animal and therefore does not get triggered by situations that would normally exacerbate symptoms.
ESAs can further encourage consistency in the person’s daily life, and may help them achieve goals they never thought they could handle. Taking responsibility of the animal can help the owner take responsibility for themselves.
How can ESAs assist with the hyperactivity component of ADHD?
An Emotional Support Animal encourages the person to perform various activities such as walking, running, or swimming. After physical activity, serotonin and dopamine levels increase. This may decrease depression and anxiety, allowing the person to cope with situations better.
People diagnosed with ADHD sometimes consider themselves as failures as they are not able to do things on time, make a lot of mistakes, and don’t succeed in achieving their goals. Getting an ESA gives them the opportunity to not only succeed, but also get emotional support and assurance from the animal. This may help build their confidence and motivates them to do more.
How can ESAs help improve relationships?
A person with ADHD builds a relationship with their Emotional Support Animal by wholeheartedly trusting the animal. This helps to form new relationships and make existing ones stronger. Through caring for an ESA, the feeling of trust and companionship is enhanced. The person can transfer these feelings onto other people that are part of their life. Moreover, Emotional Support Animals introduce the emotion of empathy and therefore the person is able to connect to others on a deeper level.
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