ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-recognised neurodevelopmental disorder that involves problems with regulation of emotions and alertness. While the greatest focus has been on childhood ADHD, about two-thirds of children with ADHD go on to suffer problematic symptoms well into adulthood. If you have ADHD and it was not diagnosed or treated when you were a child, you may have continued to struggle to maintain concentration, organisation and motivation throughout your life.

The impact of ADHD can extend to all aspects of a person, affecting not only their ability to study or work, but also disrupting their home life, relationships and emotional wellbeing. It is strongly associated with sleep disorders, anxiety disorders (including post traumatic stress disorder), depression and addictive behaviours. However, the visible signs of ADHD vary. Some individuals with a diagnosis of ADHD will experience difficulties with attention, while others mainly display hyperactive-impulsive behaviours. You may identify yourself as having all, or just a few of these symptoms:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Becoming bored with a task easily
  • Not listening when spoken to
  • Losing important items
  • Not paying close attention to detail
  • Making careless mistakes
  • Easily distracted
  • Day dreaming

Hyperactive-impulsive symptoms include:

  • Fidgeting
  • Non-stop talking
  • Running around or moving in situations where it is inappropriate
  • Being impatient
  • Interrupting conversations
  • Acting before thinking

However problems with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity may not necessarily mean you have ADHD. If you are struggling with some of the behaviours listed above, it is important to see a practitioner as soon as possible to explore other possibilities and understand what is causing these difficulties. The earlier you address the problem, the quicker you can enjoy a life free from difficulties in your day-to-day tasks.

Using medication alone is not usually the best treatment for ADHD. Our practitioners help to identify and tackle the underlying causes of the your behaviour, which leads to long lasting improvements. Some ways they may assist include:

  • Getting a comprehensive account of your background and current difficulties – to identify whether you may have a diagnosis of ADHD
  • Providing emotional support for you to release any concerns or negative thoughts
  • Educating you on the disorder, its symptoms, and the best evidence-based techniques for improving the symptoms
  • Improving your organisational skills
  • Developing a behavior management plan
  • Learning to manage uncontrollable feelings or behaviors as they occur
  • Relaxation and mindfulness training
  • Helping to build up your own support system and self-care plan for any future difficulties