Understanding ADHD
Recognising, Supporting, and Thriving
October is ADHD Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the impact it has on both children and adults. In the UK, ADHD is recognised as a condition that affects a person’s ability to focus, manage impulses, and regulate their energy levels among many other signs and attributes. It can make everyday tasks more challenging, but with the right support, people with ADHD lead fulfilling lives and doesn’t have to impact negatively on mental health.
What is ADHD and How is it Recognised?
ADHD is typically diagnosed by healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists or specialised paediatricians, based on a comprehensive assessment. In the UK, ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, but many adults also seek diagnosis later in life, often after recognising persistent struggles with concentration, organisation, or impulsive behaviour or declining mental health due to unrecognised symptoms over the years that trace back to childhood.
ADHD isn't always outwardly disruptive, therefore presentations are sometimes unclear to the untrained eye. It can be internally disruptive, impacting on day-to-day life and activities, and thought processing.
The key symptoms of ADHD are generally divided into two categories: inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsiveness. While some individuals display a combination of both, others may lean more towards one set of symptoms. It’s important to remember that every person’s experience of ADHD is unique, and while challenges exist, so do opportunities for growth and thriving.
It Helps to Be Sure
ADHD shares symptoms with many other diagnosable conditions, making it important to carefully differentiate between them. For example, anxiety disorders, depression, learning disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can all present with overlapping traits such as difficulties with concentration, restlessness, or impulsivity. In some cases, sensory processing issues or sleep disorders might also mimic ADHD symptoms. Because of these similarities, it’s crucial to seek help from qualified professionals who can provide thorough assessments and proper guidance, ensuring that the right support and treatment is provided for the individual's unique needs.
Therapists can work with, and identify possible traits, but it’s through psychiatric/psychologist assessment only these can be formerly diagnosed and recognised as ADHD, or otherwise.
Therapies and Support for ADHD
When it comes to managing ADHD, a combination of approaches often works best. Here in the UK, treatments generally include:
Therapeutic Support: Therapy can help individuals understand their ADHD, how it affects them, and how to develop coping strategies. Approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are often recommended and can be particularly effective for children and adults with ADHD. Therapy can help to improve time management, emotional regulation, and organisation skills.
Medication: While not always necessary, there is evidence to suggest that medications such as stimulants (e.g. methylphenidate) can be beneficial for some individuals with ADHD, helping them focus and reduce impulsive behaviours. Medication is often used alongside therapy to provide comprehensive support.
Self-Understanding: Perhaps one of the most empowering steps for someone with ADHD is gaining a deep understanding of what their diagnosis means to them personally. Understanding ADHD can help individuals appreciate their strengths, recognise their challenges, and develop specific strategies for overcoming obstacles in both school, work, and personal life. This self-awareness is beneficial at any age, but especially for children as they grow, and for adults who have lived without a diagnosis for much of their life. But this is only beneficial, when self-understanding comes from legitimate and professional sources of information. Not only what we identify with from unqualified sources, or without research available to support it.
Why Understanding ADHD Matters
Understanding ADHD, whether diagnosed or not, provides individuals with the tools to navigate their world more effectively. For children, understanding how their mind works can help them succeed in school, interact with peers, and grow into confident adults. For adults, finally gaining clarity around long-standing challenges can be life-changing, leading to improved self-esteem, productivity, and relationships. But also for adults, how they experience ADHD in later life might feel different and need support too, as it can affect people definitely as we change and get older.
While medication can be beneficial for many, it’s important to note that self-understanding and therapy are powerful tools for managing ADHD. These approaches encourage people to recognise their individual strengths and learn how to work with, rather than against, their ADHD.
How We Can Help at Teenage Mental Health
At Teenage Mental Health, we are dedicated to supporting the mental health of individuals with diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD. We don’t provide diagnoses, but our team is here to help with a variety of therapy approaches for both children and adults. Whether it’s helping a young person understand themselves better, which can assist in learning strategies to manage or generally ease symptoms of ADHD, or working with an adult who’s coming to terms with a late diagnosis, or changes, our child or adult specialists can offer support tailored to each individual’s needs.
We believe that therapy should be accessible to all ages, and our therapists are equipped to work with children, teenagers, and adults. With our flexible approaches, we’re able to provide compassionate, effective support to help you or your child thrive with ADHD through different therapy approaches specific to each individual.
If you’re looking for guidance or therapy for ADHD, we’re here to help. Reach out to us to find out how we can support your mental health journey. We are Child and Adolescent focused service, with paediatric specialist therapists. But we have Qualified Adult Therapists too.
More About ADHD Awareness Month
ADHD Awareness Month is organised by the global initiative ADHD Awareness Month, providing valuable resources and information. In the UK, there are also many organisations that offer support, advice, and guidance for individuals with ADHD:
ADHD UK: A national charity dedicated to supporting those affected by ADHD, offering a range of resources, advice, and a supportive community.
Website: www.adhduk.co.ukADDISS (The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service): Provides information and resources for individuals with ADHD, their families, and professionals.
Website: www.addiss.co.ukThe ADHD Foundation: Offers support, training, and resources to individuals with ADHD, schools, and professionals, while raising awareness and advocating for better recognition of ADHD.
Website: www.adhdfoundation.org.ukYoungMinds: A charity that focuses on children and young people’s mental health, including those living with ADHD, offering information and support services.
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Each of these organisations can provide valuable insight into managing ADHD and accessing the right support, so don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance.
