Is ADHD a part of me?

Do you find yourself forgetting appointments even after you’ve read the text reminder? Maybe you’re easily distracted when you notice a notification on your phone and then return to drafting your email an hour later, only to forget who you were sending it to? Well, you’re not alone, forgetfulness and being easily distracted are quite common in today’s society given the demands for our attention from other people, our phones, our computers, our smart watches.  

This could very well be due to the obsessions we have with our devices and excessive consumption of media. But could there be more to it? These features commonly occur in individuals diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which affects approximately 1 out of every 20 people in Australia. In recent years, more and more adults have sought out mental health practitioners for an ADHD assessment. There has been a reported surge in referrals for ADHD assessments since the pandemic commenced. So, is this a case of oversight and misdiagnosis in childhood? or has watching TikToks sparked a light bulb moment for us?

 It might be helpful to first understand what ADHD is.

Here are some example ADHD symptoms that are common in adults:

·      Leaves things to the last minute (uni/work)

·      Needs external deadlines/pressure to complete tasks

·      Frequently distracted and focusing on other tasks

·      Gets bored easily, changes jobs, hobbies etc

·      Forgets important dates, appointments

·      Disorganised and messy

·      Financial issues due to impulsive spending

·      Binge eating, alcohol and drug issues

·      Hard to start and finish tasks – easily bored or distracted

·      Overly talkative, talks quickly (may appear bubbly in women)

·      Can’t relax, constantly restless with busy mind

·      Night owls

·      Easily falls out of routines

·      Overly sensitive to criticism (rejection sensitivity)

·      Feels incompetent (imposter syndrome) and different to others

·      Emotion dysregulation

·      Low self-esteem

·      Social issues from forgetting to follow-up/maintain friendships (out of sight, out of mind)

What causes ADHD?

There are several factors that are understood to increase the likelihood of ADHD. Research has indicated that ADHD is a highly heritable condition That means if your parents or siblings have it, there is a 30-50% chance you will too. Correlations between environmental factors and ADHD have also been found. For example, alcohol intake and smoking during pregnancy, in addition to premature birth and subsequent low birth weight have been linked to ADHD.

Misconceptions of ADHD in the past have mistaken it for a behavioural condition. This is far from the case. In fact, ADHD is presently understood as having biological underpinnings, with brain-based differences between ADHDers and non-ADHDers. Small differences in neurotransmitters, brain structure and brain activation has been found in individuals diagnosed with ADHD.

What else could it be?

Some of the symptoms of ADHD also commonly occur in anxiety disorders, trauma-based conditions, and mood disturbances, just to name a few. So, how do we tell if it’s actually ADHD? Well, that’s where mental health professionals can assist. Psychiatrists and psychologists conduct assessments to determine whether symptoms are consistent with ADHD or not.

It's also worth noting that 80% of individuals with ADHD have a co-occurring condition. That means that most ADHDers may also meet the criteria for any of the following: anxiety and mood disorders, personality disorders, learning difficulties, substance use disorders and/or autism spectrum disorders.

What types of treatment are available?

• Medication: only psychiatrists can prescribe medication to address symptoms of ADHD.

• Therapy: psychologists and/or psychiatrists can support individuals to make positive lifestyle changes and environmental modifications. Cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based approaches can also be used to make living with ADHD more manageable.

How do you get support? 

Mental health practitioners, such as psychiatrists and psychologists will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment that considers the presence of symptoms over the course of your life. They may ask for school reports, have your parents/caregivers fill out questionnaires and take a thorough background history from you. It’s important to know that psychiatrists can assess and treat ADHD with medication. Psychologists can conduct an assessment, provide a diagnosis, write a report, and if necessary, refer to a psychiatrist for treatment with medication.

The Schema Therapy Institute provides ADHD assessments . You can book an appointment to be assessed by a psychologist by emailing assessment@stia.com.au or by completing the form on our website (link in the Assessments tab).

 References:

1. Deloitte Access Economics ‘The social and economic costs of ADHD in Australia’ (2019). Report commission by and prepared for the Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA).

2. Franke, B., Michelini, G., Asherson, P., Banaschewski, T., Bilbow, A., Buitelaar, J. K., Cormand, B., et al. (2018). Live fast, die young? A review on the developmental trajectories of ADHD across the lifespan. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 28(10), 1059–1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.001

3. Gehricke, Jean-G., Kruggel, F., Thampipop, T., Alejo, S. D., Tatos, E., Fallon, J., & Muftuler, L. T. (2017). The brain anatomy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young adults – a magnetic resonance imaging study. PLOS ONE, 12(4), e0175433. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175433

4. Sciberras, E., Mulraney, M., Silva, D., & Coghill, D. (2017). Prenatal Risk Factors and the Etiology of ADHD—Review of Existing Evidence. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0753-2