“The best way to think about ADHD is not as a mental disorder but as a collection of traits and tendencies that define a way of being in the world ” - Dr Edward Hallowell

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental condition diagnosed in children and adolescents. But it can also be diagnosed for the first time in adulthood. ADHD is characterised by developmental difficulties that produce impairments of personal, social, academic or occupational functioning.

ADHD effects what we call Executive Functioning, which is relevant to being able to inhibit our actions/behaviours, stay focused/pay attention, be self-aware, control emotions and initiate and sustain motivation. Executive Functioning is also related to working memory. Working memory allows us to work with information without losing track of what we're doing.

What does ADHD look like?

There are many symptoms associated with ADHD. Some of these might include:

Restlessness or Hyperactivity

A child with ADHD might have trouble staying seated at school, talk too much and/or interrupt, or fidget constantly. An adult with ADHD might also have trouble sitting still or may just feel restless or not able to relax. This can result in feeling tense or anxious.

Disorganisation

Both children and adults with ADHD tend to lose or misplace things more than occasionally. Their spaces (bedroom, office, car) tend to look messy or cluttered. They approach tasks in a way that seems random rather than planned or structured. They might find it difficult to prioritise what needs to be done and in what order, and often have trouble finishing things they have started.

Speech and Communication

People with ADHD may have trouble organising their thoughts as they speak, so things may come out jumbled or seemingly off topic. They may talk rapidly and/or often forget what they are talking about. They may go from one subject to the next without a pause or obvious change of subject.

Memory Difficulties

People with ADHD will often forget to do things or attend appointments. This is related to being easily distracted. They may simply forget to write down the appointment time or make a note about when something is due. Or they may remember but then get distracted at the last minute and start on something else instead.

Motivation Difficulties

Because of the issues described above, people with ADHD are often accused of lacking motivation. Because paying attention to one thing at a time is difficult, this often results in them becoming overwhelmed by tasks with many steps. Deciding how to start a project or task may feel overwhelming. They may give up in frustration.

How does someone get ADHD?

While the precise origins of ADHD are still not completely understood, research has shown there are factors which make someone more likely to have ADHD, such as having a close family member with ADHD or having other mental health conditions, such as autism, anxiety, or depression.

How do I know if I, or someone I know, has ADHD?

Getting a thorough assessment by a properly trained clinician is essential to accurately diagnose ADHD and either identify or rule out co-occurring conditions. At Logos Psychology Clinic, we are dedicated to correctly identifying and understanding ADHD for each client, and tailor interventions and support accordingly. Sometimes, this means referring clients to a psychiatrist to explore medication to help with symptom management, or undertaking a formal assessment with our psychologists.

If you do get an ADHD diagnosis, our practitioners can also provide information about treatment options that may include lifestyle changes, and supportive and behavioural therapies.

While ADHD is not the result of bad parenting, parenting support and education is often recommended to help families adjust to what the diagnosis means, how they can best support the person diagnosed, and what adjustments should be considered for educational and/or occupational settings.

Ongoing therapy can help someone with ADHD manage emotions, identify and focus on strengths, build strategies to help with attention switching, and understanding the secondary impacts of having ADHD, such as learning difficulties, sleep disorders and impacts on their self-esteem.

References:
https://adhdfoundation.org.au/adhd
https://russellbarkley.org/factsheets.html