Dr Philippa Kaye Sophie contacted me after her youngest child’s teacher felt that he may have ADHD. Her child was seen by an educational psychologist and doctor and was indeed diagnosed with ADHD and started on medication which made a significant difference to his behaviour and learning in school. Sophie felt she’d had similar symptoms as a child, though her teachers thought of her as naughty.
What is ADHD? ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is generally noticed in childhood. What are the symptoms of ADHD? Symptoms can be divided into two categories: Inattentiveness, such as being easily distracted, forgetful or losing things, finding it hard to concentrate or carry out tasks and making careless mistakes. Hyperactivity and impulsiveness include fidgeting constantly, finding it difficult to remain still and concentrate, being unable to wait turns, acting on the spur of the moment.
Now just like with many conditions we all may have some of these symptoms but to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms need to be causing difficulties or interfere with a child’s relationships or ability to work at school. ADHD can be treated with medication and often improves over time. ADHD in adults Sophie’s question was whether or not she could have ADHD as an adult.
The answer is yes. Symptoms may change – as adults you may have responded to expectations or tried techniques to control the symptoms, so symptoms tend to lessen in adulthood, or become more subtle s.
