If you have ADHD or suspect that you might, you’re in the company of millions of other Americans. This increasingly common condition can impact every aspect of your life, from how you work to how you interact with friends and family.
While each patient may have a different experience, most can manage ADHD symptoms with help from medication.
Cerebral and Done are two of the most popular telehealth providers offering ADHD treatment online with a convenient platform for diagnosis and ongoing medication management.
In this review, we compare Cerebral vs Done head-to-head, discuss our own experience with each platform, and ultimately help you decide which offers a better quality of treatment, convenience, and affordability.
One of the most positive side effects of the COVID crisis, in our opinion, is the rise of direct-to-consumer telehealth. As the desire for telehealth visits has increased, the availability of online providers and prescription delivery has, too. This includes virtual treatment for common mental health conditions like ADHD.
From the sign-up process to pricing to how easy it is to consult a doctor after diagnosis, we tried both services first-hand and reviewed how Cerebral and Done stack up for ADHD patients.
Head to Head Comparison
Online ADHD Telemedicine Platforms: Cerebral vs Done | Traditional Psychiatrist | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Medication only: $99/mo Therapy only: $259/mo Medication + therapy: $325/mo | $199 upfront $79/mo thereafter | $600 – $1,600 for ADHD evaluation, around $150 per therapy session |
| Appointment options | Video or phone call | Video consultations | In-person only |
| Offers therapy? | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Can prescribe stimulants like Adderall? | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Medication included in subscription cost? | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Shipping cost for prescriptions | Free | Free | Pick up from your local pharmacy |
| Covered by insurance? | ✅ | 🟡 Does not accept insurance for appointments, but offers out-of-network support | 🟡 Depends on provider |
| Membership required? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Locations available | All states in US | US Currently not available in: AL, AK, AR, DE, ID, LA, MN, MT, NH, ND, OH, OK, WV, WY | All states in US |
| Website |
What do doctors prescribe for ADHD?
ADHD medications fall into two main categories: stimulants and non-stimulants. Both can help treat symptoms depending on the patient. Your medical provider will work with you to find the best option.
Stimulants vs non-stimulants for ADHD |
|
StimulantsMost frequently prescribed for ADHD
|
Non-stimulantsGreat for those who experience negative side effects with stimulants or are prone to addiction
|
Review of Cerebral for ADHD
Cerebral is a popular telehealth platform offering long-term online care and medication management for various mental health concerns. They may be best known for anxiety and depression treatments, but they can also treat ADHD.
With greater accessibility to treatment, Cerebral promises to help patients with ADHD remain healthy and supported amidst a hectic daily routine. What exactly does that entail?
How Cerebral works for ADHD
To get started with Cerebral:
- Take assessment: Cerebral’s free emotional assessment helps caretakers better understand your symptoms.
- Subscribe: Choose a subscription option based on your needs (see the breakdown below)
How your treatment continues depends on the plan that you choose.
Cerebral ADHD Treatment Cost |
||
| Medication + Care Management |
|
$99/mo Prescriptions billed separately |
| Medication + Therapy |
|
$325/mo ($82/session) Prescriptions billed separately |
| Therapy |
|
$259/mo ($65/session) |
Does Cerebral prescribe ADHD meds?
Cerebral does not prescribe stimulants such as Adderall or Concerta, but they do offer alternative treatments for ADHD management, including therapy and non-stimulant medications like Wellbutrin or Strattera.
Stimulants sometimes cause negative side effects, including anxiety, agitation, or the inability to fall asleep later. It is also a controlled substance, meaning it can cause addiction. If you’re someone who experiences either of these, Cerebral’s non-stimulant prescription for ADHD management might be a great choice for you.
Cerebral ADHD reviews: Reddit
In most cases, ADHD is best treated with stimulant medication, and while Cerebral can treat ADHD, some of the problems that they’ve recently run into have led them to no longer be able to prescribe stimulants.
Fortunately, some have benefitted immensely from the different treatments of ADHD, including therapy and non-stimulant medication. Check out some of the praises for these alternative sources of ADHD treatment.
| Task completion & recall | “…Strattera has worked wonders for me… it’s more like I look back on the day, and I’m like, wow, I was actually able to get stuff done, or I remembered that when I wouldn’t usually.” | Reddit r/ADHD |
| Therapy helps to manage symptoms | “I can tell you from personal experience [CBT] really does help. I learned a lot of skills to help manage my ADHD, and it made a really big difference.” | Reddit r/ADHD |
| Calm & few side effects | “I’ve been on Strattera for 3 weeks. It’s working just like Adderall for me. My mind is calm, I’m not as impulsive… I’m not having any side effects, and I’m only a little anxious after I drink my coffee.” | Reddit r/ADHD |
| Better for overall health | “Stimulants worked great for me… but the side effects were ruining my health… I’m on Wellbutrin now. It’s definitely not nearly as effective as stimulants… but it’s helpful for low-level maintenance. better memory, my speech is a little clearer and more organized, and my anxiety is a little better.” | Reddit r/ADHD |
Done ADHD review
Done’s mission is to help ADHD patients find the best treatment plan for their needs through their convenient online platform. They will connect you to a licensed care provider trained to diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication.
If you’re eligible for the online service and live in one of the states they serve, you can start today with their one-minute assessment. From there, you’ll get connected with a medical professional and be on your way to continuing care.
How Done ADHD Works
To start ADHD treatment with Done:
- Complete a one-minute assessment: The medical questionnaire will determine your likelihood of diagnosis.
- Schedule your initial appointment ($119): If deemed fit for treatment, you can schedule your appointment with a provider (30 minutes) to create a treatment plan together.
- Become a Done member ($79/mo): If treatment is issued, a monthly membership gives you access to continuous care from your provider, including follow-up appointments or treatment plan adjustments.
- Prescription renewals: You’ll also have online refills after health updates with medication delivery or pickup, depending on where you live.
ADHD medication is only granted 30 days at a time in order to prevent abuse. This entails giving your provider an update on your health and treatment process either through follow-up appointments or written narratives.
Can Done prescribe ADHD meds?
Done prescribes stimulant medications like adderall and ritalin, among others, and focuses on personalized medication management. Their team helped me and thousands of others treat symptoms and manage side effects by adjusting my medication type and dosage until I found one that works for me.
What drugs does Done prescribe?
Done can still prescribe both stimulants and non-stimulants, including:
- Stimulants: Ritalin, Adderall, Metadate
- Non-stimulants: Strattera, Intuniv, Kapvay
Done can also recommend supplements that hone your focus, stave off any side effects, and help you recover.
Done ADHD reviews – What are others saying online?
Because of many of the issues with the nationwide overprescribing of Adderall, there have been many customer complaints about Done‘s inability to prescribe ADHD meds consistently.
Keep in mind that there are some companies like Cerebral that can no longer prescribe stimulants at all! While Done is doing its best to address customer concerns, the national shortage is something to be wary of, no matter where you get your ADHD medication prescription.
Most negative reviews of Done (and yes, we know, there are a lot of them!) center around poor customer service, specifically slow response times, low responsiveness, and a lack of transparency. This poor communication is especially concerning given that they are entrusted with something as vital as patients’ mental health.
That being said, their communications and appointment times are – across the board – slower and fewer and further between, but if you’re looking for a prescription or prescription refills through an online provider, this is the reality right now.
| Reddit r/ADHD | “I poked around looking at various services and eventually gave up trying to find one that had mostly positive reviews and went with Donefirst… The soonest available appointment was 8 days out. It was pleasant and professional, and she wasn’t trying to rush me. When I picked up my prescription the next afternoon, the pharmacist said I had no copay on it… All in all, it has been a very smooth experience so far, and cheaper than I expected, with the 5MG Adderall apparently being free even without insurance.” |
| TrustPilot | “…I’ve had nothing but a great experience with my provider and Done. For those leaving negative reviews regarding the national shortage and being unable to fill your Rx, keep in mind it’s not this company/the provider’s fault – have some common sense. With that being said, 5 stars for sure. Thank you for all that you do!” |
The Verdict: Cerebral vs Done – Which ADHD treatment provider is best?
For a convenient, online ADHD treatment option for patients who don’t require or can’t access regular in-person care, Cerebral and Done can both offer convenient access to doctors to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Done is the best for prescription meds like Adderall. |
|
Done is ideal for those looking for a more convenient and inexpensive ADHD meds, as Done can prescribe stimulants after just one in-person visit. Unfortunately they do not offer therapy, which we believe should be included in any approach to treating mental health conditions.
|
|
Cerebral is best for online therapy. |
|
|
|
Cerebral can provide more comprehensive care (including therapy) but cannot prescribe stimulant medications, which are the leading treatment for ADHD. It is also more expensive monthly to be a Cerebral member. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you know if you have ADHD?
ADHD generally becomes noticeable in kids before they turn 12, and the symptoms carry on through adulthood. It can be tough to diagnose as it differs in severity, but the main symptoms of ADHD include:
- Above-average hyperactivity
- Difficulty focusing on tasks
- Easily distracted / problems multitasking
- Forgetfulness and disorganization
- Fidgeting and restlessness
- Impulsive behaviors and a short temper
High-quality ADHD care starts with a proper diagnosis. According to the Journal of American Psychiatry, just 10.9% of adults with ADHD get the right care for their condition.
However, regardless of how confident you are that you have ADHD, it’s important to seek the opinion of a medical professional instead of spending too much time self-diagnosing.
Luckily, platforms like Cerebral and Done promise unparalleled convenience and much greater access to ongoing care, so you always have somewhere to turn for mental health care.
How do you treat ADHD?
Medication is the most common treatment method for ADHD. Broadly speaking, the two most common forms include prescription stimulants and non-stimulants.
Many people use a combination of both prescription pills and talk therapy with a counselor, but there are also numerous natural solutions to treat ADHD.
Natural treatments for ADHD may be used alongside pharmaceutical medications and/or therapy. Or, if you prefer to treat naturally or you’re averse to pharmaceuticals, try these natural strategies for ADHD treatment instead:
- Nootropics: All-natural supplements that can improve your brain functioning as an alternative to Adderall. We recommend checking out Thesis if you’re exploring nootropics (or read more about them here).
- Organizational tools: Planners, digital reminders, and to-do lists can help you stay on top of tasks
- Improved nutrition: Diets lower in sugar and processed foods are highly recommended for people with ADHD.
- More sleep: Consistently getting a full night of sleep can help with focus throughout the day. Health trackers like Whoop or Oura can help you optimize sleep.
- Movement: Exercising – even just going on a walk outside, and regular fitness at home, can help with focus and improvements in executive functions
- Limiting screen time: Too much screen time can lead to anxiety and heightened emotions. Limiting throughout the day (especially before bed) can help with other symptoms of ADHD.
- Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness through a meditation app and other relaxation methods, such as yoga
What does ADHD medicine cost without insurance?
Cerebral offers a self-pay model for those who aren’t using insurance. This means you’ll pay for the cost of medications separate from your monthly plan price. The cost will obviously depend on your treatment plan, but the most common medications cost only $10. There are a very rare few that cost more than that, with the maximum being $45.
Medications through Done without insurance can be as low as $15.