What is ADHD?

Bio-Psycho-Social model As we understand it, ADHD does not change, it is a relatively stable lifelong condition. It is not something you can expect to grow out of. The majority of individuals will report their ADHD symptoms persisting into adulthood. What can change is the way people manage their symptoms especially around different life events.

The diagram below shows how your biology, your psychology and/or your social factors can influence how you feel able to manage your symptoms.

Gender

• • • • •

Age

Hormones

Pain

Physical health Disability

Biology

Social

Psychological

Behaviour Personality

• • • • • •

Education Housing Finances

• • • • • •

Attitude/beliefs Coping skills

Opportunities Social support

Self esteem

Emotions

Family backgrounds

ADHD is not described as being mild, moderate or severe, however you might find yourself referring to your ADHD as one of those. If you have developed strategies to manage aspects of your ADHD then it might feel as though your ADHD is “mild”. When individuals talk about having “severe” ADHD it is most probably linked to not feeling able to manage the day to day difficulties and expectations due to having few or no strategies. The strategies you have will be directly impacted by everything listed above in the diagram.

DEVON ADULT AUTISM AND ADHD SERVICE 8

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