ESA for ADHD: Eligibility, Benefits, and ESA Types

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around seven million children aged 3-17 and 15.5 million adults in the U.S. suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although the condition isn’t curable, a combination of medication, therapy, and behavioral interventions can alleviate the symptoms and improve overall quality of life. 

Some individuals may benefit from an emotional support animal (ESA) that can provide companionship, comfort, and laughter, making symptom management at least a bit easier.

We’ll explain whether an ESA for ADHD is an option for children and adults and how an ESA can help those struggling with ADHD.

Understanding Common ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptoms are typically divided into two categories:

• Inattentiveness: Main symptoms include trouble concentrating or staying focused on a task, easily forgetting things, and having poor organizational skills

• Hyperactivity/impulsivity: Main symptoms include difficulties staying quiet or still, excessive energy, and impulsivity

These symptoms classify ADHD into three types:

• Inattentive type: Individuals with this type are easily distracted, have trouble focusing on tasks, can’t quickly adopt new information, don’t seem to listen, and tend to move more slowly. They may experience hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms at times

• Hyperactive-impulsive type: Individuals with this type feel restless, talk constantly, frequently touch and play with different objects, and make impulsive decisions without thinking about consequences

• Combination type: Individuals with this type of ADHD experience both the inattentive and the hyperactive-impulsive behavior and can’t be classified into a specific category

As symptoms can change over time, your ADHD type can also change. This is why it’s essential to frequently re-examine treatments and make adjustments as needed.

Can You Get an Emotional Support Animal for ADHD?

Can someone with ADHD get an emotional support animal? Yes, absolutely. Emotional support animals are an option for individuals with qualifying mental health or psychiatric disability. ADHD is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and as such, it qualifies for an ESA, be it a dog, cat, hamster, or even a bearded dragon.

Keep in mind that having ADHD or thinking you have it doesn’t automatically give you the right to have an ESA and announce it to your landlord. You need proof—an official ESA letter that grants you the right to live in any residence, even those with no-pets policies, without paying pet rents, deposits, or extra fees. Obtaining this letter requires consulting a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who can assess your condition and issue the necessary documentation.

How Can an Emotional Support Animal for ADHD Help You?

Whatever type of ADHD you have, an emotional support animal can make symptoms more manageable, infuse your days with serenity and happiness, and improve your quality of life through:

1. Emotional regulation
2. Stress reduction
3. Encouragement of physical activity
4. Structure development
5. Sensory stimulation

Emotional Regulation

ADHD symptoms typically come and go and change in intensity, which can be frustrating and overwhelming. ESAs can be valuable in such moments. Animals can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, anger, or stress, and help you calm down and stabilize your emotions.

Some ESAs are better at this than others. Dogs and cats are excellent mediators of emotional regulation. You can pet them or lie next to them whenever you’re feeling unpleasant or overwhelming emotions that you can’t control.

Stress Reduction

Numerous studies have shown that having a pet reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and boosts levels of oxytocin (the feel-good hormone). As ADHD often goes hand-in-hand with anxiety and stress, an ESA can act as a stress regulator, helping you calm your nervous system and balance your emotions.

Another way in which ESAs can reduce stress is through companionship and support. Living with ADHD can be lonely and isolating, and having a furry (or non-furry) animal bestie can provide much-needed comfort. Your ESA is always there for you, no matter your mood or the severity of your symptoms.

Encouragement of Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is vital in treating ADHD. It can improve:

1. Overall mood: A good workout or running session triggers the release of “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, such as endorphins and endocannabinoids
2. Cognitive function: Regular exercise contributes to brain plasticity, the brain’s superpower to change its structure in response to new experiences
3. Dopamine: Studies show that persons with ADHD often have lower dopamine levels than the general population. Exercise can naturally boost dopamine levels
4. Sleep: If you have symptoms of hyperactivity, you may struggle to fall or stay asleep, and being tired all the time doesn’t do you any good. Regular physical activity can “wear you out” and help you improve your sleep patterns

If you’re not a sporty type and can’t seem to force yourself to be physically active, an ESA, dogs in particular,  can help. Certain dog breeds require a lot of physical activity to be happy and healthy, including:

• Border collies
• Jack Russell terriers
• Labradors

These breeds will force you out of bed and to the park before you can say “good morning.” By ensuring your ESA gets enough exercise, you’ll notice the benefits of physical activity on your own skin (and brain).

Structure Development

One of the most common ADHD symptoms is difficulty performing tasks. You may struggle with organization, time management, and prioritization. All this can lead to an unstructured (or non-existent) daily routine and a lack of discipline.

ESAs can bring structure into your daily life as taking care of any animal requires responsibility. If you have a dog, you must feed it regularly, take it out for walks, and play with it. Emotional support cats may not need walks, but they require your time for playing and cuddling.

Caring for an animal will automatically help you establish daily routines and organize your time more efficiently. The best part is that you will love every second of it.

Sensory Stimulation

Petting, cuddling, or holding a dog, cat, rabbit, or another ESA type can have a soothing effect on your body and soul, help you relax, and contribute to your emotional well-being. There’s also visual stimulation—watching your ESA play or sleep can make you feel happy and less stressed.

Through sensory stimulation, your ESA will alleviate restlessness, anxiety, and impulsivity, and help you be more present in the moment and enjoy your animal’s company.

Which ESA Is Ideal for ADHD?

There is no one ideal animal for ADHD. It all depends on your symptoms, lifestyle, and preferences. 

If you’re hyperactive, you should find an ESA that can keep up with your energy. If you’re anxious, you may prefer a low-maintenance animal for companionship and stress relief.

Here are some of the common ESAs and their key traits:

How To Get an ADHD ESA

Your ESA may be your unofficial mental health support for years. Still, to get official confirmation, you’ll need to obtain an ESA letter by:

1. Finding a licensed mental health professional (LMHP)
2. Getting diagnosed
3. Obtaining the letter

Find a Licensed Mental Health Professional and Schedule an Appointment

Research LMHPs and schedule an appointment with one at the earliest available date. It’s important to find an LMHP that practices in your state—ESAs are regulated under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) at a federal level, but some states have additional requirements. An LMHP practicing in your state knows all the rules and can ensure full compliance.

Therapists aren’t the only LMHPs who can issue ESA letters. You can also schedule an appointment with a:

• Psychiatrist
• Primary care physician
• Nurse practitioner
• Clinical social worker

Get the Diagnosis

During your appointment, your LMHP will assess your mental health and evaluate whether you can benefit from an ADHD support animal.

Keep in mind that there’s no guarantee you’ll be approved for an ESA. If the LMHP concludes you have no discernible mental health conditions, they could reject you.

Get the Letter

If the LMHP confirms your ADHD diagnosis, they’ll issue an official ESA letter. You can then present this letter to your landlord or estate agent to:

• Be able to move into residence units that normally don’t allow pets
• Avoid paying pet fees and deposits

Ensure you can’t be evicted from your home because you have an ESA

What Can Stand in the Way of Obtaining an ESA Letter?

There are a few potential obstacles that could prevent you from getting your ESA letter and even expose you to legal issues:

Your Service Animal—Get Your ESA Letter in the Blink of an Eye

Your Service Animal makes the path toward obtaining your ESA letter quick and convenient. It saves you from:

• Hours of research trying to find a legit LMHP
• Weeks of waiting for an appointment

The service connects you to LMHPs in your area who can determine your diagnosis and prescribe the ESA letter in no time. All LMHPs are thoroughly vetted, so you can be 100% confident you won’t come across scammers or those who aren’t qualified to assess your condition.

Your Service Animals offers benefits such as:

• Reliability: You can do a free online quiz to see how likely you are to get approved for an ESA letter before making the payment
• Convenience: Complete the entire process online from the comfort of your home.
• Speed: If you’re approved, your LMHP will issue the ESA letter in 24–48 hours after the appointment
• Money-back guarantee: If you don’t get approved for an ESA letter or your landlord rejects it, you’ll get all your money back
• Compliance: The ESA letter you’ll receive meets all requirements imposed by your state’s laws and has all the necessary elements

With Your Service Animal, one animal doesn’t equal one letter. A letter can cover up to three animals at no extra cost, so you can get all the emotional support you may need. 

Get Your ESA Letter Now

To get your ESA letter without unnecessary complications, follow these simple steps:

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
2. Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter