ADHD in adults
Overview
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition where the brain works differently to most people. If you have ADHD, you may have trouble with things like concentrating and sitting still. There are things you can do to help manage your symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD involve your ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive) and your ability to control your impulses (being impulsive). You may show signs of being inattentive, such as: being easily distracted or forgetfulfinding it hard to organise your timefinding it hard to follow instructions or finish taskslosing things often, like your wallet, mobile or keys You may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including: having a lot of energy or feeling restlessbeing very talkative or interrupting conversationsmaking quick decisions without thinking about what might happen as a result Most people with ADHD will have symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive type. Some only show signs of one type. These symptoms usually start before the age of 12. ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in women than men. This may be because women with ADHD more commonly have inattentive symptoms and these can be harder to recognise than hyperactive symptoms.
Causes
The cause of ADHD is not always known. ADHD may be caused by genetic differences and often runs in families. There are several other things linked to ADHD, including being born premature (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), having epilepsy, a brain injury and being autistic. Some people with ADHD call themselves neurodivergent. Neurodiversity describes the range of different ways our brains work.
Treatment
ADHD medicines must be started and monitored by an ADHD specialist. Medicines that can help with ADHD symptoms includemethylphenidateor lisdexamfetamine. You may need to try more than one medicine to find out what works for you. A GP may be able to take over prescribing ADHD medicines, but only if there is a “shared care agreement” between the GP and the ADHD specialist. To find out more, talk to your ADHD specialist or GP.