Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. This means if you have ADHD, there are some differences in how your brain works. This can impact how you act and experience the world.
It’s not a mental health condition or a learning disability. But having ADHD might affect your mental health, and some people with ADHD might also have a mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
There are three different types of ADHD:
· Inattentiveness and distractibility
Having trouble focussing.
· Hyperactivity and impulsivity
Feeling really active and not thinking before saying or doing things.
· Combined ADHD
A mixture of both other types of ADHD.
ADHD traits usually start before the age of six, but you can be diagnosed at any age. Some people don’t realise they have ADHD until they’re much older. ADHD can be different for everyone and depend on your age, sex, gender identity and if you have other neurodevelopmental conditions. Common signs of ADHD include:
feeling like you can’t sit still or are fidgety, especially in quiet spaces.
Talking a lot and interrupting people.
Finding it hard to focus for a long time.
Finding it tough to wait your turn,
struggling to concentrate or getting distracted easily.
People thinking you’re not listening finding it hard to follow instructions.
Feeling like you have to always change what you’re doing.
Finding it tough to make or keep friends.
Struggling to organise things or forgetting and missing important appointments.
Feeling very sensitive or overly emotional.
Having little or no sense of danger,
being impulsive or saying and doing things without thinking.
People experience ADHD differently and you might have signs that aren’t listed above. For some people, ADHD traits can be positive and make you super passionate about different things. But if you find your ADHD is stopping you from doing everyday things, talk to your GP or someone you trust.
NHS webpage:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/adhd-adults
ADHD is a lifelong condition, which impacts the individual throughout their lives. ADHD was first documented over 100 years ago. It is estimated that 5% of adults and 3-4% of children have ADHD. Many adults have gone through their adult lives undiagnosed.
ADHD affects Executive functioning. Executive functioning helps us to retrieve information from our memory , organise this information so that we can use it and continually self - monitor. It enables us to adjust and make changes as needed. This affects the ability to plan, organise and sustain focus.
ADHD is largely genetic, in most cases inherited. Brain injury , including from seizures and epilepsy can trigger the genetic potential for ADHD.