What is ADHD?

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for A ttention D eficit H yperactivity D isorder. The research suggests that perhaps up to 5% of individuals will have ADHD.

ADHD is a highly heritable condition- immediate relatives of a child diagnosed with ADHD are 4-5 times more likely to have the condition than the general population.

What is Attention? Attention refers to how well you are able to concentrate/ focus . This could be concentrating on a task you are doing at university, work or home, another person, a hobby etc. There are different forms of attention, you might have difficulties in some areas and strengths in others. ADHD is not an inability of attention, as the name might suggest. You might notice you can focus intensely on something you enjoy. Rather, ADHD is linked more to a difficulty and differences with sustaining and focusing attention. What is Hyperactivity? Hyperactivity refers to being over-active or restless . This may mean you move around a lot, fiddle with things or have constant racing thoughts. ADD means Attention Deficit Disorder. This means that you are experiencing the same difficulties as someone who has ADHD but without the hyperactivity. Hyperactivity can change how it presents, as you get older. From being very fidgety, unable to sit still as a child to this becoming more internalised and you may notice racing thoughts or needing to be fidgeting with something.

Difficulties with Attention and Concentration

Impulsivity/Restlessness

ADHD

Poor Organisation and Planning

Forgetfulness/Memory Difficulties

These are the four main/core areas that are assessed in an ADHD assessment and the main areas individuals report difficulties in. That isn’t to say there are other difficulties you might be experiencing with your ADHD.

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