Written by Luisa Kos
Table of contents
Understanding ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a common mental health condition that affects how people think, learn, and behave. It is often misunderstood and can present itself in different ways depending on the individual. People with ADHD may experience persistent symptoms, such as difficulty focusing, controlling impulses, or regulating their mood, and these symptoms can have a significant impact on both children and adults, especially in daily life.
It’s important to remember that ADHD is not a reflection of intelligence or ability. With the right treatment and support, individuals with ADHD can manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. The Therapist Finder offers a range of ADHD services, connecting you with qualified therapists who can provide the support and therapy you need.
What is ADHD
- Maintaining attention on tasks
- Following instructions or completing projects
- Impulse control and emotional regulation
- Restlessness or excessive movement
- Forgetfulness and time management
ADHD Assessment - Getting An ADHD Diagnosis
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have ADHD, getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward receiving the appropriate mental health support. A diagnosis of ADHD is made based on a comprehensive evaluation of the individual’s medical history, a review of their symptoms, and sometimes, behavioural assessments. Diagnosing ADHD involves considering other mental health conditions that may share similar traits, such as mood disorders or oppositional defiant disorder. Here’s what you should know:
- The assessment process may involve a clinical interview to understand your medical history and personal experiences.
- Questionnaires and rating scales, often completed by the individual and caregivers, help gauge the severity of symptoms.
- Observing the individual’s behaviour in different environments may help highlight inattentive symptoms or impulsive symptoms that are key indicators of ADHD.
Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options, including behavioural interventions, can be explored to manage ADHD symptoms and improve quality of life. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure timely support and intervention, which can significantly improve an individual’s overall development.
Children & ADHD
Children with ADHD often face unique challenges, both at home and at school. They may struggle with following instructions, paying attention in class, and managing their impulses. These difficulties can lead to frustration, which may manifest as low self-esteem. It’s important for parents to seek early diagnosis, as behavioural interventions and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can significantly improve a child’s ability to manage their symptoms.
Parents should also consider enrolling their child in support groups to connect with other families facing similar challenges. ADHD support groups can offer helpful strategies and emotional support to both children and their families. These groups also encourage sharing experiences and resources, ensuring that children don’t have to navigate their mental health condition alone.
Adults & ADHD
ADHD doesn’t just affect children; it can persist into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may struggle with maintaining focus at work, managing time, or regulating their emotions, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and poor self-esteem. Additionally, adults with ADHD may be more prone to sleep disorders, which can exacerbate symptoms. ADHD can also present with oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, complicating its diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment for adults with ADHD often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is particularly effective in addressing mood disorders and helping individuals create structure and routine in their lives. These strategies, along with ongoing mental health support, can help adults with ADHD thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
Therapies For ADHD Symptoms
Therapy plays an important role in managing ADHD. It helps individuals develop the necessary skills to cope with inattentive symptoms, impulsivity, and restlessness. Behavioural interventions, such as CBT, can help individuals gain better control over their emotions and behaviours. Therapies can also address mood disorders that often accompany ADHD, such as anxiety or depression.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is effective in helping individuals change negative thought patterns that affect their behaviour.
- Occupational therapy can provide sensory integration support and help with daily life tasks.
- Speech and language therapy is useful for individuals who struggle with communication and social skills.
By seeking appropriate therapy, individuals with ADHD can better manage their condition and lead more balanced lives.
Medication For ADHD
Medication is often a key component of ADHD treatment, particularly for individuals with moderate to severe symptoms. Stimulant medications are commonly prescribed to help manage impulsive symptoms and improve focus. However, it’s important to note that medication should always be used in combination with behavioural interventions, rather than as a sole treatment.
- Stimulants such as methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are effective in managing focus and impulse control.
- Non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine, are an option for individuals who experience side effects from stimulants.
- Medications for ADHD are often prescribed alongside treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Medication can be highly effective in managing ADHD symptoms, but it should always be carefully monitored by a healthcare provider to ensure its efficacy and minimise potential side effects.
Self-Help Strategies For ADHD
While therapy and medication are essential for treating ADHD, individuals can also benefit from self-help strategies. By creating structure and routines, individuals with ADHD can reduce the chaos that often leads to careless mistakes and impulsive behaviour. These strategies can empower individuals to take control of their symptoms and improve their daily functioning.
- Establishing consistent routines can help with time management and reduce forgetfulness.
- Using visual aids, such as planners or reminders, can support organisation and task completion.
- Practising mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, can help manage emotional regulation.
Implementing these strategies can complement professional treatment and improve quality of life for individuals with ADHD.
Get The Support You Need With The Therapist Finder
If you’re struggling with ADHD, don’t navigate this journey alone. The Therapist Finder connects you with experienced professionals who understand ADHD and are qualified to help. Whether you’re seeking therapy for yourself or your child, our directory offers a range of specialists who can provide tailored support. Explore therapists specialising in ADHD services in your area today and find the help you need to manage your symptoms and thrive.
Therapists who can help with ADHD
Julie Davies
Feeling anxious, confused, lost or stuck? There are many reasons to look for a counsellor, and it’s so important that you feel safe and supported to explore the most difficult and painful issues that are impacting your life. My aim is to create a compassionate space where we work together to build a trusting relationship where you can freely look at whatever is important to you, at your own pace. By extending empathy and acceptance without judgement, my role is to empower you navigate a path forwards. Book a free 20-minute Zoom consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Vicki Power
Vicki is an integrative therapist working with individuals and couples
Jackie Golding
Welcome. If you’re reading this then I imagine something in your life feels too hard to face alone. Maybe it’s a difficult relationship? A stressful work life? Some painful family dynamics? Or perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed by past events and patterns that seem to keep repeating themselves? Whatever you’re struggling with, therapy is a place to be fully heard, understood, and supported; where your inner world can be expressed without fear or shame. A safe space where you can make sense of what you feel including the emotions you have learned to suppress and the things you are carrying alone. Navigating your way through a difficult time on your own can feel daunting, but I can help you overcome your challenges with kindness and at a pace that feels comfortable for you. With empathy and a grounded presence, together we can explore what has happened, sift through the residual thoughts & feelings and then find a way forward that works for you. I work from a place of acceptance and compassionate understanding to help you restore balance and build a happier life experience through increased inner awareness and self-empowerment.
Matthew Daniel
I have a MSc in Therapeutic counselling and work integratively, which means a range of therapeutic tools and ideas are available to us. I’ve worked particularly with individuals struggling with men’s issues, LGBTQ+ experience, addiction and negative patterns of behaviour and thinking. I have experience working with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, loss and trauma. Many of my clients are navigating periods of change or uncertainty in their relationships and careers and are trying to bring more awareness to what they really want and need in their lives.
Karis Hanson
Hello, I’m Karis, an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist. I work collaboratively with each client to tailor my approach to your needs. I specialise in working with trauma, but I am experienced in working with clients with a wide range of concerns and experiences. I look forward to hearing what brings you here and what you hope to gain from your sessions.
Peter Klein
Peter Klein is a fully accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with over 13 years of clinical experience, offering both in-person and remote therapy from Richmond, London. He specialises in evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), using the UCL Case Formulation Model to provide tailored treatment for a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, OCD, depression, stress, low self-esteem, ADHD, phobias and perfectionism. He has trained in additional therapeutic approaches such as Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion Focused Therapy, enhancing his ability to support diverse client needs. Klein has worked in prominent mental health settings, including running individual and group programmes at the Priory Hospital, and has contributed to mainstream media and scientific publications to promote psychological wellbeing. He works professionally in both German and English and has been practising full-time since 2012.
Sara Saxon
Seeking support can sometimes feel difficult, but I see it as a thoughtful and constructive step towards understanding and change. I offer a confidential safe space where we can think together about where you are now and where you would like to be. I work flexibly, short or long term, and welcome people from all backgrounds. I have extensive experience in working with neurodiversity; ADHD, ADD, dyslexia and dyspraxia and how it can shape life experiences both positively and negatively. I am an accredited Integrative Psychotherapist with an MA and Diploma in psychotherapy and I am registered with both UKCP and BACP. I am aligned with Column C of the SCoPEd framework, which represents the most comprehensive level of training in the UK.
Olga Konstantinidou
I am a multilingual Consultant Clinical Psychologist (English and Greek), recognised by the BPS and HCPC, offering online therapy. I work integratively, drawing on approaches such as CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, Mindfulness, CFT, CAT and systemic therapy. My approach is collaborative and tailored to each person, combining reflection and practical strategies to support meaningful change.
Arturo Bandinelli
The way we suffer is always singular, shaped by our histories, relationships, and experiences. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy begins from the idea that there is a stake in the particular forms our suffering takes, even if its meaning is not immediately clear to us. You may be seeking therapy for many different reasons: trauma, anxiety, depression, addictions, difficulties in relationships, or questions around sexuality and desire. Sometimes the problem is harder to define — the repetition of a painful pattern, a sense of being stuck, or a feeling that something is not quite right. Rather than promising quick fixes or applying standardised interventions, psychoanalytic therapy is grounded in a particular kind of listening, one that invites you to speak openly about what troubles you in a non-judgemental, safe setting, giving room to thoughts or experiences that may not have found expression elsewhere. Through this process, therapy can open the possibility of relating differently to yourself and others, loosening the hold of repetitive patterns, and making space for meaningful and lasting change.
Is There Any ADHD Treatment?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating ADHD. Each individual’s treatment plan should be personalised to meet their specific needs. In addition to therapy and medication, other forms of support may include lifestyle changes and involvement in support groups. For those with persistent symptoms, a combination of treatment options may be necessary to address the different aspects of ADHD.
Early intervention and treatment are essential to managing ADHD successfully. The right support, when provided early, can reduce the impact of ADHD on an individual’s life, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Supporting Children and Adults With ADHD
Supporting both children and adults with ADHD requires a holistic approach, considering all aspects of their mental health. This includes behavioural interventions, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. By addressing not just the symptoms but also the underlying emotional challenges, individuals with ADHD can experience long-term improvements in their daily functioning.
For children, involving parents and caregivers in the treatment process can ensure that the strategies developed are implemented consistently at home. For adults, therapy and support groups can provide ongoing mental health support, helping them manage their symptoms in a way that fits with their lifestyle.
At The Therapist Finder, we can also help you find therapists who specialise in multiple disciplines – from ADHD & autism to anxiety and depression, getting the treatment you need has never been easier.
Need Help? Contact The Therapist Finder Now
If you or a loved one is struggling with ADHD, The Therapist Finder can help you connect with professionals who specialise in ADHD support. Browse our directory to find therapists who can provide the help and guidance you need. Reach out today and take the first step toward managing your ADHD symptoms and living a fulfilling life. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way. Back to The Therapist Finder.