What is Adult ADHD?

Adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition characterised by persistent problems that involve hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour, and difficulty focussing.

Though it's called adult ADHD, symptoms are often present during childhood and re-appear later in life as situations change and the individual can no longer effective manage the condition.

Causes of Adult ADHD

The exact cause of ADHD in adults and children isn’t known, however, like many mental health conditions, it’s suspected there could be more than one factor.

Adult ADHD has been linked to the following:

• Genetics, i.e. a history of the disorder in the family.
• Poor nutrition or exposure to harmful substances during development.
• A brain injury during childhood.
• Simultaneous mental illnesses, such as anxiety or depression.

Symptoms of Adult ADHD

Symptoms of adult ADHD can vary greatly, but sufferers typically describe a constant feeling of restlessness or impulsiveness and tend to shift focus frequently.

This often manifests in certain classic traits of adult ADHD, which include:

• Being easily distracted or having difficulty paying attention.
• Finding it hard to sit still or avoid fidgeting.
• Having poor organisation, time management and planning skills.
• Being forgetful, i.e. habitually losing items or remembering to complete routine tasks.
• Being impatient or having a quick temper.
• Having frequent mood swings and difficulty coping with stress.

Treatment for Adult ADHD

Psychological support may be helpful to treat your symptoms of adult ADHD. Our preferred therapeutic approach when treating post-traumatic stress disorder – and other psychological conditions such as adjustment disorder – is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT plays a key role in helping people to better deal with the range of symptoms associated with adult ADHD. ACT is a mindfulness-based therapy which supports people to change how they experience their thoughts and emotions. ACT also supports people to make changes in their lives which are in line with their personal values.

Treatment Options

At XXXXXX, we have experience in the following therapy types:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Exposure Therapy and Prolonged Exposure
• Motivational Interviewing
  

Face-to-face or online appointments for treatment of adult ADHD can be booked at our XXXXXX clinic.