What is ADHD?

ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. The NHS defines it as “a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse”. However, we all know that medical definitions are not the only way of describing neurodivergent conditions and they certainly don’t encompass all the ways it can manifest in real life.

ADHD Traits

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has a long list of examples of what behaviours can be considered ADHD traits in adults:

Problems organising including poor time management and unfinished projects
Erratic work or academic performance
Anger management problems
Problems maintaining long-term relationships with friends and family
Lack of routines causing poor sleeping patterns
Difficulty managing finances
Addictive behaviours like substance use, compulsive shopping or gambling
Frequent accidents either through recklessness or inattention

The list of ADHD traits required in children by the NHS to grant an early diagnosis is slightly different. For them, the main signs of inattentiveness manifest as:

having a short attention span
making careless mistakes 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

Whereas the main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:

being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
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

These traits are more commonly seen in boys, which is due to the majority of ADHD research documenting and assessing case studies of boys only. This leads to many girls and women with ADHD going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. ADHD also has a racial diagnosis gap; those who are black are less likely to receive a diagnosis. The gaps in diagnosis relate to stereotypical behaviours expected of people that are rooted in the bias of how ADHD medically manifests.

How many people have ADHD in the UK?

Around 2.6 million people in the UK are currently diagnosed with ADHD, but the suspected number of people who have ADHD is much higher. This gap between diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals is largely due to the lack of inclusive non-biased diagnostic criteria.

What support is out there?

The reason for the lack of diagnosis is partly due to the very long wait time to get officially assessed, the average is 7 months, although it is often longer, as there are 150 referrals a day according to Psychiatry UK. Unfortunately, without an official diagnosis, it is difficult to access medical support, primarily medication to help manage the condition. This is not helped by the recent shortage of ADHD medication across the UK. Increased global demand and manufacturing problems have meant that many people who take medication for their ADHD have been unable to access the necessary medication and support.

There are many organisations, and people with ADHD, that have come up with helpful ‘life hacks that people living with ADHD can implement in order to tackle the daily struggles that can come with ADHD. Helpguide.org states that a big myth is that ‘medication is the only way to solve my ADHD’ and some of these helpful sources demonstrate that a combination of making daily tasks accessible and medication work together makes a person’s life with ADHD more manageable in highly demanding environments. Check out these sources to see hints and tips for organising your professional life, managing your financial commitments, sleeping schedules, impulsivity management, and more from Frida, ADDitude, and Helpguide.org.

Life with ADHD is different, but that doesn’t make it abnormal or bad. We live in a world where society is disabling, not the individual, and both society and the individual have to change to make the world a better place for everyone.

FAQs

Q: Can ADHD be cured?
There is medication available for ADHD. There is no cure for ADHD, but there are many tools, resources, and practices that can help ADHDers live happy and healthy lives. It is important to remember that while people with AHDD are different, there is nothing about them or ADHD that needs to be “cured”.

Q: How is ADHD diagnosed?
ADHD is diagnosed through behavioural assessments and developmental screenings conducted by healthcare professionals.

Q: Do vaccines cause ADHD?
Extensive research has shown that vaccines do not cause ADHD. Vaccines are a safe and essential part of preventive healthcare.

Q: Can adults be diagnosed with ADHD?
Yes, adults can be diagnosed with ADHD. Awareness and understanding of ADHD amongst adults and in society is increasing, leading to more adults seeking and receiving a diagnosis, and getting the support they need and deserve.