ADHD Counselling

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, which affects a person’s behaviour. Typically diagnosed in childhood, ADHD can last into adulthood and has recently gained a lot of traction as awareness grows, with recent years seeing a surge of adults seeking diagnosis, as awareness of the condition has grown and stigma around mental health has decreased.
Men and women are equally likely to have ADHD, but women appear to be significantly less likely to be diagnosed. As a result, it is often suggested that ADHD is twice as common in males.
This can be due to a number of factors, but studies have suggested that natural fluctuations in hormones and oestrogen levels mean the external presentation of ADHD symptoms are less likely to be identified in women. Additionally, women are far more likely to be mis-diagnosed, most commonly with anxiety, depression, personality disorders or bipolar order.
It is common also for women with ADHD to present with symptoms often associated with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, co-dependency, body dysmorphia (a negative or inaccurate perception), low self-esteem, and intense emotional reactions and overwhelm.
Currently, it is estimated that only 20% of those who would qualify for an ADHD diagnosis (male or female) have actually been diagnosed with the condition.

The effects of ADHD can vary from person to person, but is divided into three main types:
  • Inattentive Type
  • Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
  • Combined Type
These often present in the following ways:
Inattentive Type
  • May miss details and be easily distracted.
  • May get bored easily.
  • May have trouble focussing on a single task.
  • May have difficulty organising thoughts and learning new information.
  • May often lose of misplace things.
  • May seem to not be listening.
  • May process information with less accuracy or slower than others.
  • May have trouble following or remembering directions.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
  • May fidget, squirm or often feel restless.
  • May struggle to sit still.
  • May talk constantly.
  • May touch or play with objects, even at inappropriate times.
  • May struggle to engage in quiet activities.
  • May seem constantly on the go, as if driven by a motor.
  • May seem impatient.
  • May act impulsively, or without considering the consequences.
  • May interrupt or make inappropriate comments.
Combined Type
  • Whose presentation may contain elements of both inattentive and hyperactive impulsive type.

Adult ADHD presentation can be complex and varied, affected by a number of different factors, life experiences and co-morbidities.
Undiagnosed, ADHD can have a corrosive affect on the person with the condition, often resulting in poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression, issues in relationships or in jobs, and commonly with impulsive behaviours or addiction.
The below is an approximate list of presentations in adults with the different types of ADHD.
Inattention
  • May become easily distracted by low-priority activities, chores or tasks that tend to otherwise be ignored.
  • May have numerous thoughts or tasks to do at one time, making it hard to focus on just one.
  • May have difficulty focussing on a single task, such as when reading or watching television.
  • May ‘zone out’ or become distracted, even in the middle of a conversation. May forget simple instructions or when asked to complete a task.
  • May overlook detail, leading to errors or incomplete work.
  • May often seek new stimulating experiences, or frequently seek new hobbies.
  • May ‘hyper-focus’, so completely lose themselves in a task that something else is entirely forgotten.
Disorganisation and Forgetfulness
  • May have poor organisational skills, or be frequently seeking new systems of organisation.
  • May have a tendency to procrastinate.
  • May have trouble starting or completing tasks.
  • May struggle with timekeeping.
  • May often forget appointments or deadlines.
  • May often lose or misplace items.
  • May often underestimate the time tasks will take to complete.
Impulsivity
  • May interrupt or talk over others.
  • May have poor self or impulse control, addictive tendencies.
  • May act without thought or consideration of consequence.
  • May struggle socially or act appropriately in social situations.
Emotional Difficulty
  • May be easily stressed or overwhelmed.
  • May be easily irritated or have short or explosive temper outbursts.
  • May have low self-esteem, sense of insecurity, or underachievement.
  • May have issues staying motivated.
  • May be extremely sensitive to criticism.
Hyperactivity and Restlessness
  • May have feelings of agitation, restlessness or racing thoughts.
  • May get bored or distracted easily, have a tendency to take risks.
  • May seems as though they are doing multiple things at once.
  • May have trouble sitting still or constantly fidgeting.