ADHD, Self-Isolation and the Coronavirus Outbreak - FAQ

Should I continue with my ADHD coaching / therapy sessions?

As is always the case with managing ADHD and attending to your mental health, routines are very helpful.

Although our offices in Seattle and Kirkland remain open (under new restrictions), we encourage you to continue with routine therapy/coaching via video conferencing if possible. The setting may have changed, but otherwise, online sessions are just the same as face-to-face sessions. If you’d like to switch to online sessions, please contact our team at info@hallowelltodaro.com (Seattle/Kirkland) or paloalto@hallowelltodaro.com (Palo Alto).

You may also be interested in our new, online classes/groups, including a FREE parent support group.

What other ADHD Support Services Are Available Online?

How can I continue to get my ADHD medication while self-isolating?

SEATTLE
For now, we will remain open for patients to come in for their medication follow-up appointments. You are welcome to come in person, but we are encouraging everyone take part in these appointments via Zoom. If you have not participated in a Zoom appointment before, please contact our front desk staff who can go over it with you.

We are unfortunately not able to offer Zoom appointments for new medication intake appointments. If you are scheduled for a medication intake and do not feel comfortable coming into the clinic, please contact the front desk staff to reschedule to a later date.

For all patients who are not due for a follow-up appointment, we would encourage you to call and check in with your health insurance to inquire about prescription coverage as many plans are allowing patients to fill 60-day prescriptions instead of 30-day to help limit trips to the pharmacy.

PALO ALTO
This week (3/16 - 3/20) we converted our practice to video sessions. With the exception of a few small glitches here and there, it went really well and we expect to continue this way until "Shelter In Place" is removed. We also are finally opening our medication practice, again fully online and have been calling clients on our waitlist all week and scheduling appointments. We will need medical records from pediatrician/primary care provider/cardiologist before we can do the appointment and you will need to have a blood pressure machine and scale at home before the appointment.

Some of our younger children and teenagers decided that online appointments were not for them. We are developing some new offerings that will make online appointments fun even for the kids and teens who are not used to it.

What can I do to help manage my anxiety right now?

1) Self-care has never been as essential as it is now. Ensure that you are getting enough sleep, eating, and creating opportunities for physical movement throughout your day. Prioritize this, listen to your body and give it what it needs.

2) Connect with a therapist, friends, and family members. Isolation keeps distress in place.

3) Distract yourself. Limit exposure to the news, articles, or discussion about the virus. Consider setting specific increments during the day to expose yourself to news updates, versus allowing them to come streaming through at any given time. Engage your brain in different ways. Create a list of goals to achieve during this time: read that book that has been on your nightstand for months, watch that movie that won the big award two years go, learn that recipe you never seem to have time to try. You may have the energy and time to take on things you've been putting off or never had the time for.

How much should I tell my kids about what's going on?

First and foremost, reassure your child. They are likely hearing a multitude of messages from social media, friends, and other family members, which is likely contributing to a level of unease and/or anxiety. Let your child know that you are here to keep them safe. Secondly, stay calm and answer the questions your child is asking, without adding extra information.

Lastly, distract. Help shift the focus away from the pandemic and try to join your kids in setting up a movie night, family fashion show, or simply playing a board game. During this time of high stress and anxiety, connection to you and as a family will help combat the stressors that are beyond our control.

Margaret KayMarch 19, 2020