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PRIVATE ADHD ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

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 Frequently Asked Questions about Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) 



What is Adult ADHD?
Adult ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an individual's ability
to sustain attention, control impulses, and regulate their emotions and
behaviour.

 

What are the symptoms of Adult ADHD?
The symptoms of Adult ADHD include difficulty with organisation, forgetfulness,
procrastination, impulsivity, and difficulty with time management.

 

How is Adult ADHD diagnosed?
Adult ADHD is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical interviews,
self-report questionnaires, and behavioural assessments. A free test
for Adult ADHD and private ADHD assessment may be needed.



What are the treatment options for Adult ADHD?
The treatment options for Adult ADHD include medication, psychotherapy, and
lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep
hygiene.

 

Can Adult ADHD be managed without medication?
Yes, Adult ADHD can be managed without medication through the use of
psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. However, medication may be necessary if you
have severe symptoms.



 ADHD 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder and learning difficulty that starts in
childhood and can often persist into adulthood.

 

It is categorised into 2 types of behavioural problems: inattentiveness
(attention deficit), and hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Most people with ADHD
have problems in both these categories (combined type) but this is not always
the case, e.g. Inattentive type or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

 

ADHD symptoms in children and teenagers are well-defined, and they are usually
noticeable before the age of 6. They occur in more than one situation, such as
at home and school. Exaggerated emotional sensitivity and reactivity (emotional
dysregulation), e.g. mood swings, and temper outbursts, are also common ADHD
symptoms and signs. Attention can seem to be deficient (inattention) or
sometimes excessive (hyperfocus).     

 Inattentiveness (attention-deficit) symptoms are: 

 * Short attention span

 * Often being easily distracted

 * Often making careless mistakes, e.g. in schoolwork or at work

 * Often appearing forgetful or losing things

 * Inability to stick to tedious or time-consuming tasks

 * Often appearing to be unable to listen when spoken to directly

 * Often not following through on instructions

 * Constantly changing activity or task

 * Difficulty organising tasks.



Hyperactivity and impulsiveness symptoms are:

 * Often being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings

 * Constantly fidgeting

 * Excessive physical movement and activity

 * Excessive talking

 * Often finding it difficult to wait your turn

 * Often acting without thinking first

 * Often interrupting others

 * Little or no sense of danger.



These symptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such as
underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and
adults, and problems with discipline and the Police.




 Symptoms in Adults 

Adult ADHD affects 3-4% of the adult population. However, it remains unknown and
undiagnosed in the majority of sufferers. In adults, the symptoms are more
difficult to define, largely due to a lack of research into Adult ADHD. Since
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, it cannot suddenly develop in adults
without having been present in childhood. 



By the age of 25, an estimated 15% of people diagnosed with ADHD as children
still have a full range of symptoms, and 65% still have some symptoms that
affect their daily lives.



The symptoms in children and teenagers are sometimes also applied to adults with
possible ADHD, but some specialists say how inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and
impulsiveness affect adults can be very different. For example, hyperactivity
tends to decrease in adults, while inattentiveness tends to get worse as the
pressures of adult life increase. Adult symptoms of ADHD also tend to be far
more subtle than childhood symptoms.



Symptoms associated with Adult ADHD:

 * Carelessness and lack of attention to detail

 * Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones

 * Poor organisational skills

 * Inability to focus or prioritise

 * Continually losing or misplacing things

 * Forgetfulness

 * Restlessness and edginess

 * Difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn

 * Blurting out responses and often interrupting others

 * Mood swings, irritability, and a quick temper

 * Inability to deal with stress

 * Extreme impatience

 * Taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal
   safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously.



If you think you may be suffering from Adult ADHD then you may benefit from a
free Adult ADHD Diagnosis Test and private ADHD Assessment for Adults. You can
talk to your GP or contact our team today for a free test for Adult ADHD and a
private ADHD assessment with an Adult ADHD Psychiatrist.



 What causes ADHD? 

The exact cause is unknown but the condition has been shown to run in families.
Genes do seem to be involved - one-third of those with ADHD have at least one
parent with similar symptoms. Research has also identified several possible
differences in the brains of people with ADHD when compared with those without
the condition.



Other potential factors include:

 * Being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)

 * Having a low birth weight

 * Smoking, or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy.



ADHD can occur in people of any intellectual ability, although it's more common
in people with learning difficulties.




ADULT ADHD DIAGNOSIS UK

Diagnosing Adult ADHD in the UK is more difficult because there's some
disagreement about whether the list of symptoms used to diagnose children and
teenagers also applies to adults. In some cases, an adult may be diagnosed with
ADHD if they have 5 or more of the symptoms of inattentiveness, or 5 or more of
hyperactivity and impulsiveness, listed in diagnostic criteria for children with
ADHD.



As part of your private ADHD assessment, Adult ADHD psychiatrist Dr Iqbal
Mohiuddin will ask you about your present symptoms. However, under current
diagnostic guidelines, a diagnosis of Adult ADHD cannot be confirmed unless your
symptoms have been present from childhood.



If you find it difficult to remember whether you had problems as a child, or you
were not diagnosed with ADHD when you were younger, your specialist may wish to
see your old school reports or talk to your parents, teachers or anyone else who
knew you well when you were a child.



For an Adult ADHD diagnosis to be made, symptoms should also have a moderate
effect on different areas of their life, such as:

 * Underachieving at work or in education

 * Driving dangerously

 * Difficulty making or keeping friends

 * Difficulty in relationships with partners.



If your problems are recent and did not occur regularly in the past, you are not
considered to have ADHD as it is currently thought that ADHD cannot develop for
the first time in adults.



Adult ADHD Treatment

ADHD treatment in the UK can help relieve the symptoms and make the condition
much less of a daily problem.



ADHD can be treated using medication or therapy but a combination of both is
often best. Treatment is usually arranged by a specialist, such as an ADHD
psychiatrist, although the condition may be monitored by your GP.





 ADULT ADHD MEDICATION 

There are 4 types of medication licensed for the treatment of Adult ADHD:

 * Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse)

 * Methylphenidate, e.g. Concerta XL, Ritalin 

 * Dexamfetamine

 * Atomoxetine (Strattera)



These medications are not a permanent cure for Adult ADHD but may help someone
with the condition concentrate better, be less impulsive, feel calmer, and learn
and practice new skills.



If prescribed one of these medications, you will be given small doses at first,
which may then be gradually increased (titration). You will need to see Adult
ADHD psychiatrist Dr Iqbal Mohiuddin and your GP for regular check-ups to ensure
the treatment is working effectively and check for any side effects or
problems. It's important to let your GP know about any side effects and talk to
them if you feel you need to stop or change treatment. Dr Iqbal Mohiuddin will
discuss how long you should take your treatment but, in many cases, treatment is
continued for as long as it is helping.




LISDEXAMFETAMINE (ELVANSE)

Lisdexamfetamine is a similar medication to Dexamfetamine and works in the same
way. It belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants, which work by
increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that control attention
and behaviour. Adults may be offered Lisdexamfetamine as the first-choice
medication instead of Methylphenidate.



Lisdexamfetamine comes in a modified-release capsule form, taken once a day.



Common side effects of Lisdexamfetamine include:

 * Decreased appetite, which can lead to weight loss or poor weight gain

 * Aggression

 * Drowsiness

 * Dizziness

 * Headaches

 * Diarrhoea

 * Nausea and vomiting.




METHYLPHENIDATE (E.G. CONCERTA XL, RITALIN)

Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication for ADHD. It belongs to a
group of medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the
brain, particularly in areas that control attention and behaviour.



The medication can be taken as either immediate-release tablets (small doses
taken 2 to 3 times a day) or as modified-release tablets (taken once a day in
the morning, with the dose released throughout the day over 12 hours).



Common side effects of Methylphenidate include:

 * A small increase in blood pressure and heart rate

 * Loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss or poor weight gain

 * Insomnia

 * Headaches

 * Stomach aches

 * Mood swings.




DEXAMFETAMINE

Dexamfetamine is similar to Lisdexamfetamine and works in the same way. 



Dexamfetamine is usually taken as an immediate-release tablet once or twice a
day, although an oral solution is also available.

 

Common side effects of Dexamfetamine include:

 * Decreased appetite

 * Mood swings

 * Agitation and aggression

 * Dizziness

 * Headaches

 * Diarrhoea

 * Nausea and vomiting.




ATOMOXETINE (STRATTERA)

Atomoxetine works differently from other ADHD medications. It's a selective
noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which means it increases the amount of
a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline. This chemical passes messages
between brain cells, and increasing it can aid concentration and help control
impulses.

 

Atomoxetine may be offered to adults if it is not possible to use
methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine. 



Atomoxetine comes in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day.

 

Common side effects of atomoxetine include:

 * A small increase in blood pressure and heart rate

 * Nausea and vomiting

 * Stomach aches

 * Trouble sleeping

 * Dizziness

 * Headaches

 * Irritability.



Atomoxetine has also been linked to some more serious side effects that are
important to look out for, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage. If you
begin to feel depressed or suicidal while taking this medication, speak to your
doctor.





THERAPY

As well as taking medication, different therapies can be useful in treating
Adult ADHD. Therapy is also effective in treating additional problems,  such as
anxiety disorders, that may appear with ADHD.



Some of the therapies that may be used are outlined below.





PSYCHOEDUCATION

Psychoeducation can help adults make sense of being diagnosed with ADHD and can
help them to cope and live with the condition.




COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT)

CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the
way you think and behave. A therapist would try to change how you feel about a
situation, which would in turn potentially change your behaviour.

 

Other possible treatments

There are other ways of treating Adult ADHD that some people with the condition
find helpful, such as Adult ADHD life coaching, Adult ADHD support groups,
cutting out certain foods, and taking appropriate supplements. Seek specialist
medical advice first. 


 


DIET

People with ADHD should eat a healthy, balanced diet. Do not cut out foods
before seeking medical advice though reducing carbohydrates and increasing
protein and water intake is likely to be beneficial. Some people may notice a
link between types of food and worsening ADHD symptoms. If this is the case,
keep a food and drink diary, and what behaviour follows. Discuss this with your
GP who may refer you to a dietitian.





SUPPLEMENTS

Some studies have suggested that supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
may be beneficial for people with ADHD, although the evidence supporting this is
very limited. It is advisable to talk to your GP before using any supplements
because some can react unpredictably with medication or make it less effective.
You should also remember that some supplements should not be taken long-term, as
they can reach dangerous levels in your body.



Contact us for our free test for Adult ADHD and private Adult ADHD Assessment
service today.



https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/adhd-in-adults

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87/chapter/Recommendations

https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/814

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