If you think you might have ADHD, but don't know where to start, we offer an ADHD Exploration Appointment.

 

We are here to validate and explore your difficulties by explaining the process involved in an assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

 

What is ADHD?

 

ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder which often begins in childhood and affects a persons cognition (thoughts), emotion and behaviour. It is not a deficit of attention, but more a condition that affects the regulation of attention. The regulation of attention is part of the executive functioning system in your brain. Think of this part of your brain as the CEO responsible for a set of cognitive processes that help us effectively plan, prioritise and sustain effort toward our (long term) goals.

 

Executive functioning skills include:

• Activation and initiation of tasks

• Focus and sustain attention

• Regulation of alertness

• Ability to delay immediate gratification

• Effort and processing speed

• Emotional regulation

• Working memory

• Self regulation of behaviours

 

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Types of ADHD and Symptoms:

 

There are three sub-types of ADHD; inattentive, hyperactive / impulsive and a combined sub-type

 

Inattentive sub-type symptoms may include:

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Great difficulty starting tasks even when you know you have to:

• Disorganisation

• Forgetfulness

• Distractibility

• Zoning out (e.g. truggling to stay engaged on phone calls)

• Misperception of time

• Emotional dysregulation

 

These symptoms need to have been occurring for at least six months and interfere with daily function.

 

Hyperactive / Impulsive sub-type symptoms may include:

 

• Hyper-arousal and trouble putting on the breaks

• Difficulty sitting still / waiting in line

• Inner sense of restlessness

• Hasty comments

• Rash decision making

• Relationships can be impacted where a person feels dissatisfied, causing them to jump from relationship to relationship.

• Erratic work history or beginning a university degree and not completing it

• Overly talkative, interrupts or talks over people

• Impulsive decisions

 

Combined sub-type may include a combination of the symptoms above.

 

 

Women and ADHD

 

More often than not, women fall through the cracks as they don't present with the ‘typically expected’ symptoms of ADHD.

Women also learn to mask their symptoms and difficulties due to the shame associated with being unable to do what is ‘expected’ in society.

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Treatment:

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The first line of treatment is medication, however this can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists have long wait lists, so we recommend seeing a psychologist in the mean time for a screening, assessment and potential diagnosis.

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What to do next?

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Book a 30-minute ADHD exploration appointment where we can understand your needs and help with a plan.

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Book here

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OR

 

You could email us on bookings@mindfoodpsychology.com for more information.