Understanding ADHD

    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the parts of the brain that help us plan, prioritise, focus on, and execute tasks. These are also known as executive function skills.

    Every person with ADHD is unique. They have different strengths and face different challenges. Symptoms and intensity can vary but the key characteristics of ADHD are inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

    It is estimated that around 4% of children in the UK have ADHD and around 3-4% of adults.

    Support and treatment

    Traits of ADHD

    Diagnosis of ADHD

    “My ADHD diagnosis made sense of so much in my life – I’m much more forgiving to myself now”

    Sarah

    Your neurodiversity stories

    Support and treatment for ADHD

    A range of support is available for children, young people and adults with ADHD, including peer support groups and networks, national charities and organisations that support mental health and wellbeing.

    Support is also available for family members through local organisations and groups that support children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.

    Find out more about local and national support for ADHD.

    Children with ADHD Young people with ADHD Adults with ADHD

    If needed, ADHD is usually treated with a combination of behavioural therapies and medication, if appropriate. Treatment is typically arranged by a specialist such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist, although the condition may be monitored by a GP.

    You can find out more about the treatment of ADHD, including medication and therapy, on the NHS website guide to ADHD treatment.

    Traits of ADHD

    Signs of ADHD are often noticed at an early age and most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old. However, ADHD can be diagnosed later in childhood.

    When the symptoms were not identified during childhood, ADHD is diagnosed in adults. Diagnosis among adults is becoming increasingly common, and ADHD is recognised as a condition that affects both children and adults.

    Core traits of ADHD

    • Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
    • Hyperactivity
    • Impulsiveness

    Many people with ADHD have traits that fall within all these areas, but this is not always the case. For example, around 2-3 in 10 people have problems with concentrating and focusing, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness.

    This form of ADHD was historically known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). Today, three types of ADHD are identified.

    Types of ADHD

    • Inattentive Type ADHD
    • Hyperactive Type ADHD
    • Combined Type ADHD

    Many people with ADHD experience emotions differently to others and it is estimated that emotional dysregulation – that is, difficulty controlling your emotions – affects around 1 in 3 children with ADHD and 1 in 2 adults with ADHD.

    Alongside the core traits and emotional dysregulation, people with ADHD can also have other neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health conditions.

    Find out more about ADHD traits on the NHS website guide to ADHD symptoms and the ADHD Aware guide to ADHD symptoms.

    Signs of ADHD in children

    Inattentiveness

    • Having a short attention span and being easily distracted
    • Making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
    • Appearing forgetful or losing things
    • Being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
    • Appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
    • Constantly changing activity or task
    • Having difficulty organising tasks

    Hyperactivity and impulsiveness

    • Being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
    • Constantly fidgeting
    • Being unable to concentrate on tasks
    • Excessive physical movement
    • Excessive talking
    • Being unable to wait their turn
    • Acting without thinking
    • Interrupting conversations
    • Little or no sense of danger
    • Emotional outbursts
    • Difficulty with sleep

    Signs of ADHD in adults

    Everyone is different, and not every person with ADHD will exhibit all of the traits below, but signs of ADHD in adults can include:

    • carelessness and lack of attention to detail
    • continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
    • inability to focus or prioritise
    • continually losing or misplacing things
    • forgetfulness
    • restlessness and edginess
    • difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn
    • blurting out responses and often interrupting others
    • mood swings, irritability and a quick temper
    • difficulty coping with extreme stress
    • extreme impatience
    • taking risks in activities
    • emotional dysregulation
    • fatigue or tiredness
    • addictive personality
    • difficulty with time-management
    • difficulty with sleep
    • rejection sensitivity.

    How is ADHD diagnosed?

    If you believe that your child is displaying signs of ADHD, talk to your GP or the SENCo at school (the school office will tell you who that is if you don’t know).

    If you believe you may have undiagnosed ADHD as an adult, talk to your GP in the first instance. They may recommend a period of ‘watchful waiting’ then suggest a referral for an ADHD assessment, if appropriate.

    Some people may recognise signs of ADHD in themselves but choose not to pursue a diagnosis. If you feel you may have ADHD but don’t want a diagnosis, there is plenty of ADHD support and advice still available should you need it.

    You can learn more on the NHS website guide to ADHD diagnosis.

    ADHD assessments in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

    Children and adults may be referred to one of the following types of specialist for a formal ADHD assessment in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire:

    • A specialist child or adult psychiatrist
    • A paediatrician – a specialist in children’s health
    • Another healthcare professional with training and expertise in ADHD diagnosis.

    There is not one specialist test that is carried out and the assessment is in-depth. It may include:

    • a physical examination, to rule out other possible causes
    • a series of interviews
    • interviews or reports from others such as partners, parents and teachers
    • a structured questionnaire such as the Conners Rating Scale.

    Children and young people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire will usually be assessed for Autism and/or ADHD by Sirona care and health.

    If you are concerned that you, your child or young person you care for has Autism and/or ADHD, you can access self-help resources and support services on the Sirona website.  You can also visit your GP who may refer you to a specialist for an assessment.

    Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), does not take referrals for Autism and/or ADHD on its own, either to diagnose or to provide support. However, they do support children and young people with Autism and/or ADHD who have other mental health difficulties.

    You may have to wait some time to begin the diagnosis process for ADHD, and it can take several months to complete.

    If you need support whilst you’re waiting for an appointment, or for an assessment to be completed, you can find out more about the support available for people on this page.

    “When I was first diagnosed, it was a mix of relief and anxiety. It was a relief in that it explained a lot about me and I was able to get medication to support myself. The anxiety came from the fact it was a lifelong diagnosis – it wouldn’t change anything, but it’s something that’s a part of me now.“

    Will