ADHD stands for ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’. It is a type of condition known as a neurodevelopmental condition.
Neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD affect the way your brain develops and works. This can impact your behaviour and the way you experience the world around you.
Around one in 20 young people have ADHD. It is not a mental health condition or a learning disability. But, some people with ADHD might experience mental health conditions as well, such as an anxiety disorder.
If you have ADHD, your brain might work differently to other people’s. You may struggle with ‘executive functioning’ - these are the tasks we do that help us to manage everyday situations, such as getting organised or setting priorities. If you have ADHD, the way your brain controls your concentration, activity levels and impulses is a bit different, so you may find these types of tasks more challenging. This is a form of neurodiversity (a term used to describe the fact that everyone’s brain works differently).
Artwork credit: @the_mini_adhd_coach. The artwork depicts a person with a pink bob hairstyle and a peaceful expression. Their head sits on a light blue background. Text placed around the person reads 'it's ok to feel overwhelmed'.
I have ADHD and other people will have it too, so don't think you’re alone because you are not. I know it’s hard but we can all get through it if we stay strong, be brave and overcome our worries and fears.
Symptoms tend to start very early in life, before the age of six. It is common for children with ADHD to get a diagnosis at this age, but you can be diagnosed at any stage in your life. In fact, you might not realise you have ADHD until you’re much older or an adult. Symptoms for ADHD can be different for everyone. They can depend on your age, sex, gender identity and whether you have any other neurodevelopmental conditions.
ADHD can also be genetic so can run in families, but the cause is mostly unknown.
Artwork credit: @authenticallyadhd. The artwork features drawings of stars, moons and planets on a light blue background. One larger planet with arms is giving itself a hug and the text reads: 'don't forget to give yourself the same love you give everyone else'.
The symptoms of ADHD are often broken down into three types:
However, these behaviour types can look different for different people.
Some of the common symptoms can include:
If you experience any of these symptoms it doesn’t mean you definitely have ADHD. But if any of them are affecting your everyday life, you should talk to your GP or a trusted adult for advice.
For a long time, it was thought that women and girls were much less likely to have ADHD than boys and men. This is not true, however women and girls might experience ADHD differently to boys and men.
For example, female-identifying people might be more likely to experience symptoms such as:
There’s not a lot of research around how ADHD looks in people who don’t identify as male or female. But whatever your experience, it’s valid. If you need support with your gender identity and mental health, our advice guide can help.
For a long time I thought I couldn’t have ADHD because I didn’t relate to the hyperactivity.
If you think you might have ADHD, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through it alone and there is help available.
Tell your GP about your symptoms. We know it can be challenging to talk to your GP, but they are there to help. They can offer you support, refer you to a specialist for an ADHD assessment, or refer you to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) if you need any mental health support before or after your assessment.
To find out if you have ADHD you’ll need to talk to an expert, like a specialist child or adult psychiatrist.
They’ll ask you some questions and you will fill in some questionnaires about how you’re feeling and the symptoms you’ve experienced. This is called an assessment. They will also ask your permission to speak to your parents and teachers as part of the assessment.
Your family might not be supportive of you being assessed but it’s important for you to get the right support for you.
There might be other reasons for your ADHD symptoms such as anxiety or depression. The ADHD specialist will be able to tell you more following your assessment.
There are many things you can do to help manage your ADHD. Below are some ideas based on what young people have told us helps them.
Many young people tell us they find medication helpful because it makes it easier for them to focus and concentrate.
Through therapy, you can learn to understand your behaviours and find practical ways to better manage and cope with everyday situations.
It can really help to talk together with your family and a counsellor about how to deal with things in your daily life.
We know it can be tricky, but try being as open as possible with a trusted adult, like your teacher, about the impact ADHD has on you. This will help you to get the right support. Your school can help you to organise your day, make sure you have handouts to look at, or give you additional time during exams.
Exercising regularly can help everyone to improve their mood. It can also help you to get rid of any built-up energy and help you to focus better.
It can help to tell friends that you trust about your ADHD so they can support you. If you know someone with ADHD, it might be helpful to talk about their experiences and come up with coping strategies together.
If you find it hard to concentrate for a long time, make sure to take regular breaks. For example, if you’re studying for a test, divide your time into manageable chunks with plenty of breaks so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
ADHD can leave you feeling out of control and overwhelmed.
People might not understand what you’re going through and could think you are acting out or being difficult. Or they might criticise and punish you unnecessarily. This can make you feel isolated and depressed, or it can lead to feelings of low self-esteem. This may be especially true if you’re comparing yourself to your friends who might behave differently to you.
However, having ADHD can also mean that you’re really passionate about lots of things. Our brains all work differently and there is no “right way” to be – recognising this is what neurodiversity is all about. If you’re struggling with your mental health, these can be positive things to focus on.
It can be really helpful to talk to your friends, family and teachers about how you feel. Talking is a great way for others to understand more about you so they can support you. Let them know what you do and don't find helpful so that they can do their best to help.
Although ADHD is not a mental health condition, evidence suggests that you might be more likely to develop a mental health condition if you have ADHD. For example, you might struggle with anxiety or depression.
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is another condition linked to ADHD. This is when you show a lot of anger or uncooperative behaviour towards people in charge, such as your teachers or your parents. You may be diagnosed with this if your behaviour is disruptive.
ADHD can also lead to sleep problems, meaning you feel tired, run down and struggle to concentrate. It can help to cut down on caffeine or other stimulants after 4pm as this can also impact your sleeping patterns.
Find help and advice for other difficulties with your mental health with our help finder.
ADHD is something that you’re born with so you won’t ‘grow out of it’. However, lots of people do say that their symptoms get a bit better as they get older. Learning how to cope with ADHD and finding what works for you can help make your symptoms easier. The tips shared above can help you with this.
The below medicines are most frequently prescribed to people with ADHD. These are not a "cure", but can help many people to manage some of the symptoms. The medication must be prescribed and checked by a doctor. Click each medication to find out more about what it does and potential side effects.
There are lots of support groups across the UK for children, young people and their families to get help and advice around coping with ADHD. Visit ADHDUK for more information on the groups in your area.
It is very comforting and validating to see other people have similar struggles. We talk a lot about the way things are going and give each other tips or help around things.
If you're worried, stressed or struggling to cope you are not alone. Here are some services that can help you.
Provides information about local counselling and advice services for young people aged 11-25.
Put in your location and what you need help with into their 'Find help' search, and see what services are available in your area.
Free, short-term online counselling for young people aged 25 or under. Their website also provides lots of information and advice about mental health and wellbeing.
Email support is available via their online contact form.
They have a free 1-2-1 webchat service available during opening hours.
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
Supports students to look after their mental health by providing information and advice.
They also provide details about local services offered by universities and information on how you can access support group programmes.
You can call or email for more information (this is not a helpline).
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