ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
ADHD changes how your brain works.
ADHD can make it hard to:
- pay attention
- sit still
- stop and think before you do something
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ADHD can make everyday life harder.
ADHD starts when you are a child.
It often carries on when you are an adult.
Some people are not told they have ADHD until they are older.
Doctors can help people with ADHD.
Signs of ADHD in adults
Adults with ADHD may:
- find it hard to concentrate
- do things without thinking first
- get distracted easily
- feel restless in their body and mind
- find it hard to sleep
- not feel good about themselves
- find it hard to manage feelings, like feeling angry, grumpy or having mood swings
Men and women can have different signs.
ADHD can look a bit like other health problems.
This can make it hard for doctors to know if you have ADHD.
How to find out if you have ADHD
This is called an assessment.
Step 1: Find out more
Read about ADHD.
Then fill in a short test online.
The test is called an adult ADHD screener.
Step 2: Talk to your GP
A GP is your family doctor.
Tell your GP why you think you may have ADHD.
Be honest.
Tell your GP if you are worried about your mental health.
Your GP may send you to get an ADHD assessment on the NHS.
Step 3: Have an assessment
You will see a specialist.
This could be a psychiatrist or another health worker trained in ADHD.
A psychiatrist is a doctor who knows about mental health.
They will talk to you.
They will ask you to fill in some lists of questions.
They may also ask about your mental health.
After the assessment, you will talk about:
- if you have ADHD or another health problem
- what help you can have
Help could be:
- medicine
- counselling (talking to someone who can help you)
- other support
Step 4: Get your diagnosis
A diagnosis is when a doctor tells you what health problem you have.
A diagnosis can help you understand yourself.
You are still the same person.
Now you know more about why some things are hard.
You can find out more about ADHD and how it affects you.
Easy Read information about ADHD
This leaflet is in Easy Read.
It has:
- signs of ADHD
- other problems that can happen with ADHD
- treatment
- questions a doctor may ask you
Where to get help and information
The websites listed below have more information about ADHD.
Most are not in Easy Read.
You may want someone to help you read them.
Support and information
NHS – ADHD Diagnosis
How doctors find out if you have ADHD.
It is harder to find out if an adult has ADHD.
ADDITUDE Inside the ADHD mind
Information about ADHD for adults, parents and professionals.
Support in Wales
ADHD Cardiff
A group for parents and carers.
They meet every week.
They meet from 6pm to 8pm.
They meet at Ants Inya Pants, CF23.
Visit their Facebook page
Newport ADHD Family Support (Gwent)
Support for families.
Visit their Facebook page