What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD?)

There are misconceptions about how someone presents with ADHD, such as it being the child who can't sit still in class and is always getting into trouble...or the employee who struggles with punctuality including meeting deadlines. ADHD can often go under the radar but, with it being very common to have at least 2 types of neurodiversity, it's something to consider. For example, 40% of people with dyslexia are thought to also have ADHD and I'll always be on the lookout for the symptoms through the background information gathered before an assessment and what happens on the day. Where appropriate, I write referral letters and signpost.

For ADHD to be a possibility, there must be symptoms in at least 2 settings, such as home and school/work. Also, these symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 and impact daily life. There's more than one type of ADHD. Some people have the hyperactive-impulsive type and feel like they have a motor inside, be on the go all the time, find it hard to relax, find it hard to stay in a queue/traffic jam, interrupt others without meaning to, have impulsive behaviours (like eating, drinking, shopping), consistently fiddle and be fidgety. They need to always be busy. Some adults will outgrow the hyperactive-impulsive symptoms at least externally but may find they can't switch off their minds which can sometimes lead to being really entrepreneurial, coming up with solutions, being up to trying new things...but it can be exhausting. And they may spend time on the things they 'want' to do or what seems easiest, not on the things they 'need' to do because of needing to seek out an instant reward.

There's also the inattentive type (used to be called ADD but this is no longer diagnosed) where someone may zone out, procrastinate, flit between tasks, become bored easily (perhaps starting lots of books and hobbies but not finishing them), be distracted by noise/movement around them, find it hard to manage their time and belongings. This type can go under the radar yet it really impacts daily life.

Some people may have both types of ADHD which is known as a combined presentation.

Whilst inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity are the key diagnostic features of ADHD, other common traits seen in people with ADHD include:

  • emotional dysregulation

  • rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) which can be an intense fear of being rejected and/or criticised and therefore wanting to people please

  • the ability to hyperfocus to the point where they look like they concentrate well but they lose connection with their surroundings and other people might need to call their name at least twice to get their attention

  • reduced interoception (i.e., whether we can pick up cues from our bodies regarding hunger, thirst, emotions, pain, the need to go to the loo, etc.)

With the people you've seen who have ADHD, what kinds of jobs do they do? 

Such a wide range! Generally, I've found that people with ADHD thrive in jobs where there's variety and every day's different. I've seen a couple of A&E consultants who love to be kept on their feet not knowing who's about to come through the door, paramedics, teachers, sports coaches, the most creative people, interior designers, a couple of comedians and retail managers. Famous people with ADHD include Jim Carey, Steven Spielberg, gymnast Louis Smith, celebrity presenter Sam Thompson, George Bush, Jamie Oliver and Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants author). And, diagnosed in my 50s, I have ADHD too that, whilst making some everyday things really tricky and I'm heavily reliant on coping mechanisms, nonetheless inspires me to travel extensively, think of new business ideas and much more!

See this page HERE regarding assessments for those age 18+