Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect absolutely anyone. ADHD is usually recognised for its three most commonly known characteristics: impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity.
There are 3 categories of ADHD, and when going through the process of ADHD diagnosis, you may find out which category you most likely fall under (for me its combined!)
Inattentive presentation: this is mainly categorised by significant difficulties surrounding attention.
Hyperactive-Impulsive presentation: this is mainly categorised by hyperactive and impulsive behaviours.
Combined presentation: This is pretty much what it says on the tin – a combination of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations.
So how does ADHD get diagnosed?
ADHD diagnosis has to be performed by a medical practitioner who will perform behavioural assessments as well as a personal interview to learn about your specific symptoms in order to make a diagnosis.
If you suspect that you may have ADHD then you should speak to your GP about starting the process of looking into ADHD as a possibility.
How do you treat ADHD?
Treatment is not a choice everyone who is diagnosed with ADHD will make, as it is not a necessity, however there are a range of treatment options available for those who would like to explore them.
Stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications: Stimulant medications are commonly prescribed and have been shown to improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity but can be often associated with harsh side-effects. Non-stimulant medications are also available for individuals who do not respond well to stimulants.
Behavioural Therapies: Certain types of therapies such as CBT have been shown to have positive impacts on those with ADHD. There are a whole range of professionals out there who have been trained specifically to understand the impacts of living with ADHD are equipped to provide ongoing support.
ADHD coaches: This is something that I have had first-hand experience with and I can honestly say that a good coach is worth their weight in gold. You will find a lot of coaches nowadays claim that they can help you in certain areas of your life e.g. finances, business, relationships etc but have no real evidence to back up their claims - but finding a coach who has lived experience and can truly relate to your struggles – that is a total game changer! Not only do they understand where you are coming from, they have tried and tested techniques that may help you. If you are someone starting out in business or even if you are already deep into your business journey – I would highly recommend sourcing a great coach.
Self-care: This can come in many forms. Anything from practicing mindfulness to simply scheduling time out of every day to give yourself consistent breaks, different things work for different people.
For me, a huge one was finally understanding that traditional ADHD medications weren’t working for me and it was time to take a more holistic approach to my ADHD. This is how Roots was founded.
ADHD is a complex disorder that can present itself in a variety of ways. Whilst there are common traits that many of those diagnosed with ADHD share, it is important to remember that the presentation can vary dramatically from person to person. Whilst the term ‘ADHD’ is much more commonly known nowadays, there is still a lack of understanding of the impacts that this can have on a person’s daily life. Education around ADHD is so important and the more we can learn about the subject, the more equipped we can be to support those who need it the most.