Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Service

We are aware that the long waiting times for ADHD assessment and treatment will cause concern. So, our clinical team has put together some information to support you during this time.

It starts with some information for you to consider if you are pursuing the most appropriate support. It then provides a collection of resources which may be helpful based on the difficulties you are experiencing.

Considering the need for alternative or additional support: what else could be causing my symptoms?

Symptoms of ADHD can be similar to those of other neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health conditions or physical health conditions. During an ADHD assessment the nature of someone’s difficulties are explored in detail to ensure they are not better explained by a different condition.

We recommend you discuss with your GP whether your symptoms could be explained by another cause to ensure you are accessing the most appropriate support and treatment in a timely manner.

ADHD can co-occur with other neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions, which can benefit from specific treatment and intervention prior to, or alongside ADHD treatment.

Examples are listed below of some of the neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health conditions and physical health conditions with symptoms that can overlap those of ADHD. Please click on the links to read more.

Autism

People with autism can experience executive functioning difficulties which includes, difficulties with organisation, planning and emotional regulation. The NHS UK website has published information on the signs of autism in adults.

Generalised anxiety disorder

Symptoms include restlessness or feeling ‘keyed up’ or on edge, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep). Find out more about Generalised anxiety disorder in adults on the NHS UK website.

Depression

Symptoms can include poor concentration, indecisiveness, fatigue, disturbed sleeps, agitation, low motivation. Find out more about the symptoms of depression on the NHS UK website.

Perimenopause and menopause

Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.

Perimenopause is when you have symptoms of menopause but your periods have not stopped. Perimenopause ends and you reach menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.

Symptoms include poor concentration and memory, difficulties multitasking, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, sleep disturbance.

Find out more on the NHS UK website.

Other things to consider include:

Post-traumatic stress disorder,

Borderline personality disorder,

Dyslexia

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) or Dyspraxia: NHS guidance on DCD

What support can I access without a diagnosis?

If you are seeking an ADHD assessment, it is likely you are struggling with aspects of daily life at home, work, social situations, education and/or employment. Although an assessment is needed to confirm the reason for these difficulties, it may be beneficial to consider other support whilst waiting.

Many resources have been designed specifically for people with ADHD, however if you are experiencing difficulties with organisation, time management and emotional regulation these may be helpful with or without a particular diagnosis.

In addition, many people that undergo an assessment for ADHD will receive the outcome that they do not reach the threshold for a diagnosis of ADHD, despite experiencing traits of the condition. Lots of people experience traits of ADHD, with varying severity.

Appropriately 2-4% of the adult population meet the threshold for a diagnosis based on the level of their impairment, at which point medication is clinically justified when considering associated risks verses the benefits.

If people have traits of ADHD, they may still be experiencing significant challenges day to day, sometimes exacerbated by other conditions. In this case it is beneficial to explore non-medical approaches.

We have put together of selection of resources that may be helpful in these situations.

Understanding ADHD

The How to ADHD YouTube Channel has lots of short informative video clips including strategies and modifications that can be tried. A good starting point would be this video What is ADHD?

The ADHD Foundation has developed a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing ADHD covering a range of topics such as executive functioning challenges and strategies, sleep, exercise and stress reduction strategies: ADHD in Adult: A Guide for Living Successfully with ADHD.

CANDDID – Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) and the ADHD Foundation have produced a series of informational videos: ‘Understanding and Managing ADHD’. Topics include understanding how ADHD impacts you, ADHD and relationships, how hormones and menopause impact on women with ADHD and many more.

Getting Things Done

If you are struggling with practical daily tasks such as housework or completing other important tasks some of these resources may be helpful. The Stop Procrastinating YouTube video.

Breaking down tasks into manageable steps: Goblin Tools – Magic To Do is an artificial intelligence (AI) tool which can help break down tasks into steps.

The Pomodoro Technique for ADHD – this video shows how tasks can also be broken down into chunks of time with breaks using a timer, which can make it easier to get started and stay on task.

Motivation

Motivation is one of the biggest challenges most people with ADHD face. This video about ADHD and motivation is all about how to fix Motivation Bridge.

Accountability partners and groups – pairing up with a friend, colleague or family member to check in regularly on goals and progress. For example, meeting with someone to do exercise or having a personal trainer or meeting a colleague on a videocall to check in on progress or work simultaneously.

Body double – this video explores what a “body double” is and how it can help. The website Focusmate.com is a body doubling service to link up with someone and share goals and progress.

Habit Trackers – A chart you can put up to track your progress visually to maintain motivation. Or use an app such as Habitica or Streaks.

Environmental adaptations

This video explores ADHD house friendly home hacks.

Amazon has teamed up with Sam Thompson and the ADHD Foundation to unveil a new guide to support those living with ADHD, including using a smart speaker like their Alexa device.

Exercise

There is evidence to suggest that regular exercise can be beneficial to those with ADHD and other mental health difficulties. Potential benefits include:

• reduced impulsivity
• reduced hyperactivity
• improved attention control
• enhanced executive functioning
• improved mood and sleep

What to know about exercise and ADHD – this article explores how exercise helps with ADHD.

How to get more active and find ways to exercise in Leeds

VIDEO: How exercise can help with ADHD (And how to actually do it)

Eating well

The food we eat can affect our physical and mental health. For more information on eating a balanced diet visit the NHS live well site.

Mindfulness

Practising mindfulness can help improve focus and attention in additional to general benefits for your mental and physical health.

Explore what mindfulness is and where you can find local support in Leeds on the Mindwell Leeds website.

Watch this what is mindfulness video.

Read this article on Meditation for the Bored & Restless: How to Practice Mindfulness with ADHD.

Employment and Education Support

The government’s access to work scheme can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability. You do not need a formal diagnosis to access this support.

ADHD UK has produced an employer’s guide to ADHD with ideas for reasonable adjustments called the ADHD work welfare pack. This may give you some ideas of adjustments to try. This is very individual so spend some time trying out strategies to see what helps optimise your working environment.

If you are a student, have a look at this advice and guidance for students with ADHD. Also see if you are eligible for the disabled students’ allowance.

Sleep

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has published advice for improving your sleep.

Sleepio App is a six-week clinically proven programme used to treat insomnia, available free on the NHS.

Watch this video on ADHD and Sleep.

ADHD Peer Support and Groups

The Leeds ADHD Support Group

This is a community for people in Leeds who have, or suspect they have, ADHD, their families, and anyone interested in supporting the ADHD community. Find out more including details of upcoming events and an online group at www.leedsadhd.org.

They also have a Facebook community.

The West Yorkshire ADHD support group

This is a charity that supports adults with ADHD and parents/carers of a child with ADHD (with or without a diagnosis) in the West Yorkshire area. They also hold regular peer support meetings across West Yorkshire. They offer:

• Online support via their Facebook page,
• Peer support meetings in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Brighouse and Dewsbury,
• Help applying for DLA, PIP and carers allowance.

Find out more about them at www.wyadhd.org.uk.

The Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or worried – the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) is here to help. Psychological support including CBT, counselling, guided self-help and group classes and workshops such as overcoming stress and low mood and struggling with motivation. Find out more on their website.

MindWell Leeds

This is an online information directory for adult mental health and wellbeing support in Leeds. Visit www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk.

The Leeds Recovery College

The Leeds Recovery College provides free workshops, courses, and training to explore, improve and maintain mental health and wellbeing.

Linking Leeds

This is a social prescribing service. Social prescribing helps people to address concerns in their life that are having a negative effect on their physical and mental wellbeing. It could be debt problems, housing issues, loneliness…. or anything else. It’s tailored to the individual and connects them to services that help them feel better and live healthier lives. Visit https://linkingleeds.com/.