All You Need To Know About ADHD

What is ADHD?

The illness known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a wide range of behavioral effects on patients. Any of the following problems may be experienced by someone with ADHD:

• Avoiding and finding it difficult to concentrate on tasks they find repulsive
• On the other hand, being able to focus intensely and spending a lot of time on things they enjoy (to the point of often overdoing it)
• Making clumsy mistakes unless they are deliberately paying close attention
• Being inclined to work on the project but not finish them because they get distracted easily
• Difficulty starting tasks owing to lack of focus, such as finishing homework, doing housework, or performing duties at work.
• Having trouble staying organized or failing to keep a diary
• Putting off tasks until the last minute
• Procrastinating
• Being open to distraction (for example by their own thoughts)
• Difficulties with planning tasks and activities, such as sequencing them
• Maintaining order in your possessions and materials, as well as your job and time management,
• Not meeting deadlines
• Having trouble focusing during conversations
• Internal restlessness (too much mind wandering)
• Difficulty remaining still for extended periods of time or fidgeting (tendency to move around more than other people)
• Having the want to “do something” all the time (even if it is just checking the phone)
• Speaking frequently, interrupting others, or completing their statements
• Being extremely eager and finding it difficult to wait their turn

How frequent is ADHD?

Adults with ADHD are surprisingly frequent. A total of 1.5 million adults are thought to have ADHD, although only 200,000 have received a formal diagnosis.

Even fewer individuals receive treatment for the symptoms of their ADHD. Consequently, it is frequently underdiagnosed, especially in women, despite the fact that it is a prevalent disorder.

 

Can I have ADHD even if I’m high-functioning?

Many people with ADHD are highly high-functioning, which means they may have learned ways to hide their symptoms or they may be able to excel in their occupations despite having trouble with them.

Even if you are high functioning, getting a formal diagnosis—such as a private ADHD assessment—and further support would probably be helpful so that you can better understand the cause of any challenges.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

The three basic types of ADHD symptoms are hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Despite their best efforts, people with ADHD will always struggle with these inclinations even though everyone exhibits this behavior occasionally.

The general population experiences ADHD on a continuum or throughout the spectrum. Accordingly, even though many people exhibit some of these characteristics, those with ADHD show the most extreme examples of them.

Others could assume you are unfocused or idle if they are unaware of your symptoms. This may result in disagreements and confrontations, or occasionally, people may view your actions as “rude” or “inconsiderate.”

Untreated symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD can occasionally result in anxiety, despair, or addiction issues. People with undiagnosed ADHD may feel frustrated and ashamed of their symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD can be divided into numerous groups.

Conditions we treat for adults 

For almost any mental health disorder, we can offer evidence-based, individualized treatment.

Our private psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists are highly qualified experts with years of experience working with patients of all ages and backgrounds.

ADD/ADHD in Adults

Addictions (Drug)

Autism

Borderline Personality Disorder

Depression

Dissociation

OCD

Personality Disorders

Relationship Difficulties

Addictions

Anxiety

Bipolar

Dementia

Disordered Eating

Emotional difficulties

PTSD

Psychosis

Sleep

Our approach to treatment 

You will interact with highly skilled and knowledgeable doctors at the Cognivia Psychiatry Clinic who understand the complexity of mental health disorders and the pain they may create.

We design individualized treatment plans using a variety of techniques based on your specific preferences because our approach is evidence-based and open-minded. We frequently mix psychoeducation (offering education and support for mental health concerns), lifestyle modifications, and treatment or medication (such as nutrition or exercise).

Every step of the way, we urge patients and their parents to actively participate in their care. Nevertheless, we recognize that some people may find this to be too demanding or challenging, so we can ease your load by offering a helpful infrastructure.

We believe that a variety of biological, psychological, and environmental factors have an impact on mental health. Because science doesn’t yet have all the answers, we stay up to date on the new research, and each of our psychiatrists is passionate about constantly reviewing new scientific studies in their area of expertise.

Since the team as a whole has a lot of experience and knowledge, we can give you professional guidance and help for practically any situation. We recognize that you are frequently the foremost authority on your own signs and experiences, and we would like to collaborate with you to develop a personalized treatment strategy that feels right for you.

1. ADD/ADHD in Adults –

You might be reading this because you think you have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or because someone else has suggested it to you.

Everyone has a tendency toward some ADHD features on occasion, therefore it can be challenging to understand the condition of ADHD. ADHD is frequently used as a colloquial phrase to characterize somebody who can come out as too energized, talkative, disorganized, or even lethargic. The diagnosis, however, has a lot more positive and negative aspects that can significantly affect a person’s life. The best way to determine whether you have ADHD or are just a little scary or exuberant is to think about how frequently and how much these traits interfere with your life. After all, who doesn’t procrastinate, struggle with concentration or occasionally act impulsively?

When compared to their friends or coworkers, people with ADHD may feel strange and question why no one else seems to have the same problems. These emotions may eventually become internalized and people may start to blame themselves for their problems, which can result in anxiety or depression.

You or a loved one can receive professional advice and a private ADHD examination from our ADHD doctors in Cognivia Psychiatry Clinic who have extensive experience diagnosing and treating ADHD.

 

Our approach to treating ADHD –

The diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in treatment so that you can identify the symptoms that are most problematic.

We believe with the Cognivia Psychiatry Clinic that, regardless of the severity of the symptoms, psychoeducation should always be the first line of treatment (NICE). To help you better understand and manage your unique ADHD symptoms, your psychiatrist can perform psychoeducational meetings with you.

Additionally, we will advise talking therapy as a technique to comprehend and manage many of the symptoms of ADHD. Many people find that therapy for ADHD is highly beneficial, and the effects are frequently long-lasting.

Your London-based psychiatrist will go over the prospect of taking medication with you if you have been given an ADHD diagnosis. The psychiatrist’s job is to offer expert guidance while taking into consideration your personal preferences to support you through your journey; taking medication for ADHD is entirely optional.

We believe that some lifestyle treatments, such as stress reduction methods, dietary changes, or exercise, can be very beneficial for many people with ADHD, and we take these factors into consideration when creating your individualized treatment plan.

Inattention

Being easily distracted, procrastinating frequently, having trouble meeting deadlines, tuning out during discussions, having to start a task several times before you can finish it, and having trouble organizing your time and preparing ahead are all symptoms of attention deficit disorder.

Physical hyperactivity

Being restless, unable to sit still, and constantly on the move. Environments, where you must remain still for extended periods of time without disturbing others, may provide challenges for you (such as libraries, offices, and during flights).

Brain hyperactivity

Feeling completely indifferent in or fully fixated on a subject. Depending on whether you find something engaging or are cramming for a deadline, these extremes will determine whether you find it difficult to focus or are entirely absorbed in what you are doing.

Impulsiveness

Not considering risks or consequences, being irritable or abrupt with others, making rash decisions that you later regret, interrupting talks, or finishing other people’s sentences.

If you experience these symptoms frequently or if they interfere with your capacity to maintain relationships or fulfil deadlines, they may become troublesome. It is advisable to seek support and assistance by first receiving a private ADHD assessment if you feel that your ADHD symptoms are having a detrimental influence on your professional or academic performance.

 

Is ADHD associated with sleep problems?

Although it is not a specific symptom of ADHD, sleep-onset insomnia affects many persons with the disorder. They typically work best at night when there are no interruptions, no distractions, or when there is a deadline approaching. They may find it difficult to unwind and sleep at night since their minds keep racing with ideas, sometimes just unrelated ones.

Many ADHD sufferers have learned coping skills to handle their sleep issues. Some people turn to alcohol or sleeping pills, while others discover that keeping their minds occupied by watching TV, listening to a podcast, or reading an audiobook makes it simpler for them to unwind and go off to sleep. They might frequently fall asleep while watching TV!

What are the different types of ADHD?

According to the patient’s symptoms, there are three basic subtypes of ADHD:

Inattentive ADD

Primarily characterized by issues with focus and attention (which is actually known as Attention Deficit Disorder).

Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD

Characterized mostly by issues with impulsivity and hyperactivity.

Combined ADHD

This is the most common form and entails issues with impulsive behavior/hyperactivity as well as problems with attention/concentration. The combined ADHD subtype typically has more severe symptoms than the other two kinds.

 

What conditions are associated with ADHD?

Other mental health disorders may coexist in people with ADHD. The following are typical conditions that co-occur with ADHD:

• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Sleep problems
• Physical health conditions (gastrointestinal problems, epilepsy, allergies)

This is because the same genes that make people more likely to have ADHD also make people more likely to have various other mental illnesses, most notably depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder.

While the existence of these other illnesses can make diagnosing and treating ADHD more difficult, we frequently find that a comprehensive treatment strategy can have a tremendously positive effect. The signs of ADHD are significantly easier to control once other disorders are managed.

Is ADHD genetic?

A mix of genetic, environmental, and biochemical variables contribute to the complex neurodevelopmental condition known as ADHD. With a heritability of 74%, ADHD is a condition whose occurrence is strongly influenced by a person’s genetic make-up.

It’s not just a straightforward example of genetic inheritance, though. Researchers have determined that thousands of distinct genes, each of which contributes a modest amount of risk due to small mutations, are responsible for the hereditary risk (known as polygenic risk). Scientists still don’t fully comprehend why some people acquire ADHD while others don’t due to the large number of genes involved.

Premature birth, exposure to environmental pollutants, smoking, and alcohol or drug use during pregnancy are a few environmental variables that can raise the chance of ADHD. These environmental variables may put the person under some biological stress, which raises their risk of having ADHD, especially if they already have a higher-than-average genetic risk.

Does inflammation cause ADHD?

Inflammation is one biological component that may be linked to ADHD. More specifically, cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone, may be present at reduced levels in people with ADHD. Cortisol plays a role in controlling cognitive function and reward-seeking behavior in addition to aiding our body in absorbing nutrients.

According to neuroimaging research, those with ADHD have different patterns of brain activity from those without the disorder.

Although learning about these underlying systems that contribute to ADHD may be unsettling, the good news is that many medications for ADHD work to control these basic processes (such as cortisol and brain activity). When ADHD is identified and treated, stress levels frequently drop significantly because you now have a clear understanding of why your symptoms and issues are happening. Reducing stress has a wide range of advantageous health effects, from decreasing inflammation to enhancing cognition. This could even result in a reduction in your symptoms of ADHD by concentrating on your whole health holistically!

Can ADHD cause addiction?

Given that the genes underlying the risk for developing ADHD and the risk for drug addiction are quite similar, people with ADHD are at an elevated risk of being addicted to drugs. Compared to their friends, those with ADHD may have started using drugs or been addicted to them considerably younger.

According to recent genetic studies, cannabis usage is particularly likely among people with ADHD. In other words, the same genes that raise the chance of ADHD also raise the risk of cannabis usage. The study employed a method known as Mendelian randomization, which essentially showed that the association between ADHD and cannabis usage was caused by the underlying genetic risk rather than by ADHD itself.

Our genetic make-up accounts for over half of the danger connected with regular cannabis usage. People with ADHD are more likely to add smoke or vape cannabis, which is likely caused by the fact that many genes are also involved in ADHD.

Untreated ADHD has been linked to a high risk of addiction and other impulsive behaviours, which can sometimes result in major issues later in life.

You should have a confidential ADHD evaluation before starting treatment for any addiction because ADHD can be the underlying cause of many addictions.

Despite the fact that specific treatment may not be necessary for ADHD symptoms alone, a diagnosis is necessary to create a successful addiction program.

 

How do you treat ADHD?

Each person’s set of symptoms and environmental factors that influence their ADHD symptoms will be different. Once ADHD and any other relevant disorders have been identified, we will create a customized treatment plan just for you. This will be created with your input, taking into account your requirements and particular situation.

Any of the evidence-based strategies listed below may be combined in an ADHD treatment plan:

Psychotherapy (psychological therapy or talking therapies)

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Interpersonal therapy
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Psychoeducation

• Information and assistance to help you comprehend and manage the symptoms of ADHD.

Medication (if required)

• Commonly prescribed ADHD medications include Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Medikinet, Modafinil (Provigil), Atomoxetine (Strattera), Elvanse, Dexamfetamine, Guanfacine (Intuniv)

Stress reduction approaches

• Mindfulness techniques
• Mind-body exercises

Diet and lifestyle interventions

• Exercise
• Nutritional and dietary changes
• Supplements
• Sleep therapy