What is ADHD?

ADHD is a more complex and varied condition than commonly understood.

​

The DSM-5 (that defines every mental health disorder) identifies three main presentations based on behavioural symptoms:

 

• primarily hyperactive impulsive

• Primarily inattentive, and

• combined type.

​​

However, two individuals with the same diagnosis can present dramatically different symptoms.​​​​

ADHD affects all ages and genders, not just young boys.

 

ADHD is often under diagnosed in girls and women, as their symptoms—such as inattentiveness and emotional dysregulation—are more internalized and less disruptive, leading to many being overlooked or misdiagnosed.

​

Over 75% of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms in adulthood, but many remain undiagnosed as it often manifests through challenges in organization, time management, and emotional regulation.

The core symptoms of ADHD arise from difficulties with:​

• Executive functions: These mental skills are essential for goal-directed behaviour (organising, planning, prioritising, time management...)​ Most people with ADHD experience many areas of executive function impairment.

• Emotional regulation: Difficulties in regulating emotions are present across all ADHD subtypes, though those with the combined type may be most affected.

Over two-thirds of individuals with ADHD have at least one coexisting condition:

The most commun coexisting conditions are sleep disorders, tic disorder, anxiety, depression, or learning and processing differences (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia, or sensory processing disorder, hyper sensitivity, oppositional defiant disorder, autism spectrum disorder...).

​

Although anxiety is not part of the ADHD diagnostic criteria, it is strongly linked, affecting around 50% of adults and 25 to 33% of children with ADHD.