by: Susan Witterick, Director of dBx Acoustics Ltd
October is ADHD Awareness Month, so what is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, but this is something of a misnomer. In fact there are three types -
- Inattentive
- Hyperactive-Impulsive
- Combined
ADHD is a form of neurodiversity which can get in the way of daily life. In particular, individuals with ADHD can struggle to maintain their focus, have poor working memory, and have difficulties with executive function (the brain’s ability to begin an activity, organise itself and manage tasks).
Until 2013, the diagnostic criteria for ADHD were that it was diagnosed in childhood. This meant that teens and adults who may have been struggling for many years, but didn’t know why, could not be officially diagnosed and supported. This also helped to support the popular but incorrect narrative that kids with ADHD are just ‘naughty’, as well as the idea that it is something that you will ‘grow out of’.
Since the change to the diagnostic criteria, more adults are receiving a diagnosis later in life. It is thought that up to 4% of the adult population are affected. But there are still a number of misconceptions around how ADHD presents which may lead to affected individuals not seeking a diagnosis and therefore not getting the support that they need. The diagnostic symptoms are;
Inattentive presentation:
- Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
- Has difficulty sustaining attention.
- Does not appear to listen.
- Struggles to follow through on instructions.
- Has difficulty with organization.
- Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
- Loses things.
- Is easily distracted.
- Is forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactive-impulsive presentation:
- Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair.
- Has difficulty remaining seated.
- Runs about or climbs excessively in children; extreme restlessness in adults.
- Difficulty engaging in activities quietly.
- Acts as if driven by a motor; adults will often feel inside like they were driven by a motor.
- Talks excessively.
- Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
- Difficulty waiting or taking turns.
- Interrupts or intrudes upon others.
Combined inattentive & hyperactive-impulsive presentation:
- Has symptoms from both of the above presentations.
(Source - https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/symptoms-and-diagnosis/)
Undiagnosed ADHD can have a huge effect on someone’s life – it can affect their ability to perform in exams / assessments, as well as at work. It can also significantly affect home life – for example, missing bill payments, an inability to forward plan or manage personal finances, and generally living in chaos surrounded by half finished projects. The knock-on effect of this can be depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and a whole host of other problems. Recent studies indicate that between 20% and 50% of children with ADHD also meet the diagnostic criteria for Autism, and the conflict between these two neurodiversities (ADHD’s executive functioning issues combined with Autism’s need to be organised) can certainly also have a significant mental health impact.
The good news is that, once ADHD has been identified, support can be put in place. Many individuals find medication is life-changing, although the idea of prescribing stimulants to treat physical or mental hyperactivity seems counter intuitive. However, ADHD is thought to be linked to a dopamine deficiency. For untreated ADHD, many rely on caffeine not as a stimulant, but as a tool which increases dopamine and therefore stimulates focus. This is also what ADHD medications provide, in a more controlled and regulated manner.
Once dopamine is regulated, ADHD isn’t ‘cured’, but for the several hours a day relief provided by medication, individuals are better able to focus, and experience greater physical and mental calmness. With understanding and support in the workplace – which should be tailored to the individual – individuals are able to thrive, and businesses can benefit from the many strengths of those with ADHD including creative thinking, the ability to think clearly in a crisis, and an ability to ‘hyperfocus’ on tasks they are interested in.
The Scottish ADHD coalition has published some great information for employers which can be accessed here - https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/An-Employers-Guide-to-ADHD-in-the-Workplace-Scottish-ADHD-Coalition-1.pdf
ADHD effectively means that the game of life is set to ‘hard mode’, both personally and professionally. If the information in this brief article has made you wonder whether you or a colleague or friend may have ADHD, Additude (https://www.additudemag.com/) is a very accessible and regularly updated resource and a great place to start your journey.
