ADHD diagnoses are on the rise.
Yet, it can still be hard for people to know if they are among the 2.2million people in Britain with the behavioural condition.
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For decades, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been stereotypically associated with the naughty 10-year-old boy who can’t sit still in class.
But now, it is understood to be far more complex.
Struggling to finish tasks, misplacing things and driving dangerously are just some of the many signs NHS doctors look out for when assessing suspected patients.
New reports have revealed that increased awareness of the condition has left people in the UK waiting up to two years for an assessment.
The behavioural condition can be categorised into two types of problems – inattentiveness and hyperactivity.
While most people show symptoms of both, this isn’t always true.
In adults, hyperactivity is less common, and symptoms are more subtle, making them tougher to identify.
The ADHD test
While there is no straightforward test for ADHD, NHS psychiatrists do use an assessment tool to help diagnose the condition.
To receive a diagnosis, children must have at least six ‘typical’ symptoms of either the inattentive or hyperactive form of the condition, the NHS says on its website.
These symptoms must have started showing before the age of 12 and have been ongoing for at least six months.
Adults must only have five of the listed signs to receive a diagnosis.
For both adults and children, the supposed ADHD symptoms must have made their lives considerably more challenging.
Interviews with friends, family, and teachers of the suspected patient could also be conducted to gauge the severity of symptoms.
A physical examination, which can help rule out other possible causes for the symptoms, will also be done.
Symptoms in children and teenagers
The symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are well-defined, and they’re usually noticeable before the age of six.
Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
Having a short attention span and being easily distracted
Making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
Appearing forgetful or losing things
Being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
Appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
Constantly changing activity or task
Having difficulty organising tasks
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:
Being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
Constantly fidgeting
Being unable to concentrate on tasks
Excessive physical movement
Excessive talking
Being unable to wait their turn
Acting without thinking
Interrupting conversations
Little or no sense of danger
Symptoms in adults
In adults, the symptoms of ADHD are more difficult to define.
This is largely due to a lack of research into adults with ADHD and the fact symptoms tend to become far more subtle as people get older.
Some specialists have suggested the following as a list of symptoms associated with ADHD in adults:
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
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK.
Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows
Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this.
ADHD’s exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person’s brain function and structure.
Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk.
ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette’s and epilepsy.
There is no cure.
A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier.
Long waits for assessments
A report by the Nuffield Trust said 24 per cent of patients referred for ADHD in England had to wait one to two years for an assessment.
The think tank’s report also revealed a 51 per cent increase in prescriptions for ADHD medication.
Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust, said: “The extraordinary, unpredicted and unprecedented rise in demand” has “completely overtaken the NHS’s capacity”.
“It is frankly impossible to imagine how the system can grow fast enough to fulfil this demand,” she said.
“We shouldn’t underestimate what this means for children in particular: many schools expect an assessment and formal diagnosis to access support – and children and their families suffer whilst they wait.”
What should you do if you think you have ADHD?
First, visit your GP
They will refer you to a specialist for an assessment.
You can also speak to your child’s teacher or the school’s special education needs coordinator (SENCO).
However, waiting lists are lengthy on the NHS and, in many cases, getting worse.
Many opt for a private assessment, but many private clinics also have long waiting lists.
If you do choose to go private, make sure you choose a reputable clinic, as you may want to get back into the NHS to be prescribed your medication.
