What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects executive functioning skills.
This includes skills like:
decision-making
prioritising, and
regulating attention.
ADHD is not an inability to focus but a brain that focuses differently, often on what feels most important or stimulating to them in the moment.
Explore by section or scroll to discover more.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is diagnosed as one of three presentation types.
Inattentive
Someone who primarily exhibit symptoms of inattention, such as difficulty sustaining focus, forgetfulness, and organisational challenges.
Hyperactive and impulsive
Someone who primarily exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Externally this could look like excessive fidgeting, constant talking, and acting without thinking. Internally this can include mental restlessness, racing thoughts, always feeling "on the go" and acting without considering the potential consequences.
Combined
Combined ADHD is when someone has symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive and impulsive types.
Professor Tomas E Brown, a pioneer in the field of ADHD gave this analogy:
“Imagine a symphony orchestra. Each musician is brilliant – highly skilled, creative, and capable of producing something beautiful. But without a conductor, the orchestra can’t stay in rhythm. It is out of sync, out of tune, and the harmony is lost.”
The most important thing to remember is ADHD looks completely different in every individual.
If you think you might have ADHD, a great starting point is our FREE screening tool. You’ll need to register with us then you can access this free tool.
The science
The brain is the control centre of the body, a soft organ responsible for everything you think, do and feel. It does this using electrical and chemical signals that also communicate with the rest of the body. Specific areas of the brain handle different functions, and various chemical neurotransmitters carry all the different signals. [1] [2]
ADHD brains are different
Research has shown us that ADHD brains are built differently. They have differences in structure, chemistry and activity. These functional brain differences are caused by a mixed of strong genetic traits, altered brain wiring, and chemical differences.
Recent Research
ADHD is now often referred to as a dopamine deficiency, but recent research shows that it is linked to how dopamine is regulated rather than a simple deficiency. This affects how the brain processes motivation and reward, which can make immediate rewards feel more compelling that delayed or long-term rewards. [3]
Research has also found links between ADHD and how different areas of the brain communicate. These connections may be less efficient, especially between areas involved in emotion, motivation, and impulse control. [4] [5]
A key difference involves the Default Mode Network (DMN), a linked group of brain regions that engages when resting and daydreaming. Typically, this is less active during focused tasks, but research has found that ADHD brains are less effective at suppressing the DMN during tasks that require focus. This makes it harder to maintain focus, as it can feel like internal thoughts are competing with those external tasks. [6]
Living with ADHD
Many people often only see ADHD as an impairment but we understand that there is so much more to this neurodevelopmental difference.
Although ADHD symptoms can have a ripple effect causing problems that impact daily life, with the right accommodations, support and treatment these functional impairments can be reduced. Sadly, many of the difficulties faced by people with ADHD arise from living in a world that has not been designed with neurodevelopmental differences in mind, and within a society that can struggle to understand and accept difference.
With the right help we know the amazing things those with ADHD are capable of. From actors and musicians to Olympians and entrepreneurs, many successful ADHD individuals credit their success and abilities to how their brains think and work differently.
At ADHD360 we aim to empower all our patients to unlock their true potential and live brighter lives.
Our mission is to make neurodiversity something to celebrate, not hide.
Diagnosis does matter
A diagnosis provides a real explanation for lifelong struggles and unlocks the right support.
It can help rebuild self-understanding and self-confidence, while also removing the shame someone may have carried for years. It can provide the understanding and acceptance they need to make sense of their experiences.
A diagnosis can help explain why someone may have behaved or acted in certain ways, support them to make realistic and achievable changes, and give them the language and confidence to seek support. As many parents become aware of their own condition through supporting their children, diagnosis can also unlock greater understanding, acceptance and forgiveness across generations.
Ultimately, an ADHD diagnosis is an opportunity to remove shame and change the narrative for the next generation.
The ADHD data
Around 3-4% of the population in England – approximately 2.5 million people - are thought to have ADHD according to NHS England. [7]
Yet studies show that only 1in 9 adults with ADHD in the UK have a formal diagnosis. [8]
Recent studies also show that women with ADHD are more likely to be diagnosed later in life. This may be because other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, are diagnosed first, overshadowing the possibility of ADHD, or because ADHD is initially misdiagnosed as something else.[9]
Women and later life diagnosis
Many people mask their ADHD traits by over-adapting throughout their life. This may look like people-pleasing, masking, over-functioning and working hard to ‘fit in’, which can delay diagnosis for years.
For women especially, big hormonal transitions can amplify symptoms and often be the catalyst for someone to seek support.
This includes:
puberty,
perimenopause,
pregnancy, and
the post-partum period.
Before reaching these stages, many women may have sought help, but as the ADHD symptoms in females more likely to mirror the symptoms of anxiety or depression, ADHD is often not considered as a possible root cause.
Seeking a diagnosis
If you’re reading this, it is likely you’re exploring whether you or someone you care about has ADHD. If you choose to seek an assessment there are three routes you can take with varying wait times
NHS route
ADHD diagnostic assessments and treatment can be accessed directly through the NHS. This requires a GP referral to the local NHS mental health provider.
The availability of this route depends on the NHS services provided in the local area and due to increases in demand in recent years the wait times can often be very long.
NHS 'Right to Choose' route
The UK Government established the legal right for patients in England to have a say of very mental health care in 2014 and since the Covid-19 pandemic it has been used to alleviate pressures on the NHS by allowing the health service to outsource autism and ADHD assessment to partnered private services. ADHD360 is one of those NHS partners.
The Right to choose (RTC) route also requires a GP referral, but the process can be streamlined with some preparation before seeking a GP appointment. New RTC patients seeking an assessment with ADHD360 can fill in our short RTC form which will then email three documents to be filled out to give to a GP.
The documents are:
a 'Right to Choose' referral cover letter,
a referral document, and
This includes the ASRS screening tool which was co-developed by the World Health Organisation and explores the traits as defined in the DSM-IV Manual.
a risk assessment form.
Once completed these can be to a emailed to a GP as well as taken to an appointment as the first step in the referral process.
Understanding and awareness of ADHD has grown significantly over the last few years and consequently, so has the demand for assessments. The wait times for an NHS assessments now vary significantly by area.
For RTC patients with ADHD360 we have put together RTC waiting times. The timeframes shown are as far as we can accurately predict and we do update them regularly.
Private route
We know how frustrating the ADHD journey can be, especially with the current NHS pressures and budget constraints causing lengthy referral wait times for both assessments and treatment.
For some people, waiting is simply not an option. A diagnosis may be needed to access reasonable adjustments at work, or to ensure the right support is in place before starting GCSEs, A-levels or an undergraduate degree, helping someone feel more understood and able to reach their potential.
For those who feel private assessment is the right route for them, this is usually accessed through self-referral to a private provider of their choice. The assessment and treatment journey, the support available afterwards, and the costs involved can vary between providers, so it is important that people are able to make an informed choice about what feels right for them.
Choosing a referral provider
Exploring the possibility of ADHD can feel huge and overwhelming. Many of our patients have shared how life changing their journey with ADHD360 has been, the difference finally having clear answers and access to ADHD treatment has positively impacted them and their families.
This is why it’s so important to explore a referral with an experienced, regulated and qualified provider – whether it’s via the private or NHS RTC route.
There are a variety of things you may want to consider:
Is the provider a CQC regulated organisation?
Do they use validated and recognised screening tools?
Are their assessors qualified clinicians?
Do they provide support while preparing for an assessment and while navigating wait times?
Do they provide additional resources and information?
If exploring private referrals, are the costs transparent for all stages of the referral and treatment journey?
Are the waiting times clear for both NHS and private routes?
Hearing about someone else’s experience with a provider is a good way to provide confidence in a decision. Whether that’s a recommendation from a friend or relative or reading through reviews from really people on a trustworthy platform, such as Trustpilot.
If you’re considering a referral with ADHD360, via the NHS or privately, our Patient Experience Team would be happy to help. They can answer any questions or concerns, talk through any worries and even provide support with the referral process. We understand how overwhelming the process can be and want to make sure the journey is as clear and stress-free as possible.
ADHD treatment
Everyone’s journey is different and there any many tools and techniques to help manage the symptoms of ADHD. One of the most effective treatments is medication.
Understanding Medication
There are many different medications available that treat ADHD. At ADHD360 our clinicians discuss these options at length with our patients as part of their personalised treatment plan. They’ll gain an understanding of every patient’s individual lifestyle, goals, challenging times of the day and any medical considerations. This helps them recommend the best medication route to take.
Medications fall into two categories:
Stimulants
These increase available dopamine and norepinephrine to support focus and impulse regulation.
Non-stimulants
These work on the norepinephrine and dopamine receptors by using a different mode of action to the stimulant medication.
At ADHD360 we discussed the medication options at length with our patients and follow a medication titration process to achieve a stable and optimised dose. When accessing medicated treatment with private providers there will usually be the additional prescription charge to consider, this will vary based on which medication is being prescribed.
Understanding Medication
There are many different medications available that treat ADHD. At ADHD360 our clinicians discuss these options at length with our patients as part of their personalised treatment plan. They’ll gain an understanding of every patient’s individual lifestyle, goals, challenging times of the day and any medical considerations. This helps them recommend the best medication route to take.
Navigating side effects
As with any medication, there can be side effects. At ADHD360 our clinicians monitor these closely, especially through the medication titration process to balance the benefits of medication with any unwanted or ill-tolerated side effects. If our patients choose not to pursue medication, we always discuss other non-medicated treatment and support they can access.
Other treatment options
Beyond medication, treatment can include ADHD-informed counselling and coaching. There are psychoeducation options, peer communities and skills-based programmes that can provide a great support.
In the NHS, medication is the usual funded treatment offer, but independent and private providers will offer other services however these will usually incur a cost.
At ADHD360 we offer group support sessions for adults and children on topics relevant to the difficulties associated with ADHD and one to one counselling and coaching support.