Navigating daily life with ADHD can often feel like trying to steer a ship through turbulent waters. Despite your best efforts, daily tasks, staying focused, organisation, and managing time can present with continuous challenges.

What Is ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity that can impact academic, occupational, social, and daily functioning. ADHD has largely been represented by the disruptive child in the classroom who can’t sit still and gets into trouble. This has led to a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of ADHD, causing a number of symptoms of ADHD to go without recognition.  

Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD may have meant facing misunderstandings and unfair judgments from others, who saw persistent struggles with focus or behaviour as personal failings rather than symptoms of a condition that went unrecognised and unsupported.

Symptoms Of ADHD

An individual with ADHD could present with only inattentive symptoms (previously known as Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD), hyperactivity / impulsivity symptoms or they may present with symptoms in all three categories.

• Inattentive symptoms may appear as difficulties sustaining attention on tasks, making careless mistakes, being easily distracted, having poor organisation, zoning out, difficulties following multiple instructions at a time, forgetfulness, losing items, avoidance of tasks that require sustained mental effort, or seeming as though you’re not listening.

• Impulsivity can lead to acting without thinking, interrupting others, having difficulty waiting your turn, risk taking behaviours, difficulties with delayed gratification, or emotional outbursts.

• Hyperactivity may present as restlessness, excessive talking, fidgeting, a busy mind, or a constant need for movement. 

One aspect of ADHD that isn’t always talked about is emotional regulation. There is a growing acknowledgement of the emotional difficulties that can often occur with ADHD. An individual may experience emotions that are amplified, a flooding of the brain with one intense emotion, or even an unawareness of other’s emotions. Individuals with ADHD may have a stronger sense of rejection sensitivity, difficulties shifting their focus on other aspects of a situation, and/or difficulties with criticism.

In addition to the primary symptoms of ADHD, individuals can experience co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or substance misuse.

How Do I Get Diagnosed?

If you believe you experience symptoms of ADHD and they are negatively impacting on your daily living, a formal diagnosis for ADHD can be made by a psychiatrist following a referral from your GP. Psychiatrists are also able to discuss medication options with you to support symptoms.

When To Seek Treatment For ADHD

It is important to seek psychological treatment for ADHD when symptoms interfere with daily life, relationships, academic/work performance, or self-esteem. Treatment can include strategies to support executive functioning, emotional regulation strategies, communication strategies, or stress management, depending on the needs of the individual. Treatment can start whether or not an individual is taking medication for ADHD, however some find that therapy alongside medication usage helps them implement the strategies more easily.