Transcript: ADHD
There’s no recording of this talk to share, so this transcript is my script. What I said on the day may be a little different.
What ADHD is
ADHD (or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition where the brain works differently to a neurotypical brain. People with ADHD can find things like concentrating and sitting still hard.
Signs of ADHD usually show before the age of 12, and sometimes as young as 3. They often carry on into adulthood.
ADHD is often missed, or mistaken for something else. It’s also widely misunderstood. That leaves a lot of people with ADHD struggling with low self-esteem, difficult relationships, and getting through school or work.
The 3 types of ADHD
ADHD is usually split into 3 types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Each one looks a bit different.
Inattentive ADHD can look like:
- missing details
- finding it hard to follow or remember instructions
- forgetting things
- finding it hard to concentrate
- getting distracted easily
- forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing your teeth
- finding it hard to stay organised
Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD can look like:
- having lots of energy
- fidgeting, or tapping your hands and feet
- feeling restless
- getting up and moving around when you’re meant to sit still
- finding it hard to wait your turn, or interrupting conversations
- talking a lot
- making quick decisions without thinking through what might happen
Combined ADHD is a mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive.
Most people with ADHD have some signs of both types, but some people only show signs of one.
How ADHD affects daily life
For a lot of people with ADHD, it causes problems in daily life. It can make it hard to get things done, get in the way at school, at work and in other activities, and put a strain on relationships. People with ADHD are more likely to have social difficulties, stress at home, and a hard time at school or work.
ADHD is thought to be spotted less often in women and girls than in men and boys. That may be because women and girls with ADHD more often have inattentive signs, which are harder to notice than hyperactive ones. So fewer women and girls get diagnosed.
Myths about ADHD
I’d like to squash some of the stereotypes about ADHD here.
The term ADHD wasn’t used in medicine until the 1980s, although symptoms of the disorder were discussed in the early 1900s. Back then, it was thought to relate to the child having family members with psychiatric disorders, or the result of poor parenting. Some of the stereotypes from this time persist, even today.
- ADHD does not only affect children.
- People with ADHD aren’t “just lazy”.
- Lack of concentration doesn’t mean you have ADHD. Everyone experiences moments where they struggle to concentrate, but other symptoms are considered in an ADHD diagnosis.
- ADHD is not caused by too much sugar. In fact, studies have found sugar doesn’t cause hyperactivity at all. There is more to ADHD than hyperactivity.
- ADHD is not caused by bad parenting. In fact, parenting techniques can help to improve a child’s symptoms and make ADHD more manageable.
- ADHD is not caused by too much screen time. In fact, like autism, it is considered to be mainly due to genetics.
Getting assessed
Thankfully, our Bupa Neurodiversity cover includes assessment and diagnosis for ADHD, with no need to pay an excess payment. This enables a faster assessment process due to shorter wait times. I’ll pop a link into the chat with some information about our Bupa Neurodiversity cover.
Melissa’s experience
Okay, that’s my spiel over. Now I’d like to pass over to Melissa, who has very kindly agreed to talk to us today about her experience with ADHD.
Melissa then talked about her experience with ADHD. That part isn’t in my script.