ADHD in Adults
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with concentration, attention and impulse control which impact on the person’s day-to-day life.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, are easily distracted, or might act or speak before thinking things through. While we might all have these difficulties from time to time, people with ADHD have significant and ongoing difficulties in these areas, which can affect their broader lives, particularly their study, work, and relationships.
International studies estimate that about 3% of adults worldwide have been diagnosed with ADHD, with the condition becoming less common in older age groups. While ADHD begins in childhood and symptoms typically improve as children get older, some will continue to have ADHD as adults.
Treatment varies according to the needs of the person. Those with mild ADHD without other developmental or mental health issues generally do well with a range of psychological strategies. Those with more difficult to manage symptoms, or other mental health concerns often benefit from a combination of medication and psychological support.
The key signs and symptoms of ADHD cover two main areas of difficulty: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, although in adults, hyperactivity and impulsivity may be less obvious.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must currently have several symptoms which must have started before the age of 12, and difficulties must be present in two or more settings (such as at home and at work).
Symptoms that arise later in life are unlikely to be ADHD and should be assessed immediately.
There are three types of ADHD, depending on the main difficulties the person is experiencing. These are:
Predominantly inattentive:
The person mostly has symptoms of inattention, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive:
The person mostly has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, rather than inattention.
Combined:
The person has symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
There are a range of treatments which show good outcomes for adult ADHD. These include medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy for adult ADHD, and couples counselling for those experiencing relationship difficulties.
If you are finding it difficult to concentrate or focus, and this is affecting your day-to-day life, our Psychologists are trained and qualified to diagnose and treat people with ADHD using a range of methods based on best available research. Our Psychologists understand the factors that can affect attention and concentration, and can help people with ADHD improve these skills and reduce the impact ADHD has on their lives.
Our Psychologists usually see clients individually, but can also include family members to support treatment where appropriate.