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.

• ​General advice and support​
• ADHD support groups and mental health support networks
• Exploring other causes for your symptoms

​General advice and support

Understanding ADHD

If you want to learn more about ADHD, the how to ADHD YouTube channel has lots of short, informative videos with strategies you can try. A good starting point is the video: what is ADHD?.

The ADHD Foundation has a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing ADHD. It covers topics like executive functioning challenges, sleep, exercise, and stress reduction strategies. Check out ADHD in adults: a guide for living successfully with ADHD.

The Centre for Autism, Neuro-Developmental Disorders, and Intellectual Disability (CANDDID) is hosted by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) and the ADHD Foundation. They have produced a series of videos called understanding and managing ADHD. Topics include how ADHD impacts you, ADHD and relationships, and how hormones and menopause affect women with ADHD.

Getting things done

If you struggle with daily tasks like housework or other important activities, these resources might help:

• Watch the why we procrastinate and how to fix it YouTube video.
• Use Goblin Tools – Magic To Do, an AI tool that breaks down tasks into steps.
• Try the Pomodoro Technique for ADHD, which breaks tasks into chunks of time with breaks using a timer. Watch what is a Pomodoro and how can it help with ADHD? On YouTube.

Motivation

Motivation can be a big challenge for people with ADHD. Here are some helpful resources:

• Watch the video about ADHD and motivation, which is about how to fix the Motivation Bridge.
• Pair up with a friend, colleague, or family member to check in regularly on goals and progress. For example, meet someone to exercise or have a personal trainer.
• Watch what is a “body double”, and how does it help? and use Focusmate to link up with someone and share goals.
• Use habit trackers like Habitica or Streaks to visually track your progress.

Environmental adaptations

• Watch this video on ADHD-friendly house hacks.
• Amazon has a visual guide, surfacing Alexa features that can help those living with ADHD, developed in collaboration with the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity. Read more about the guide.

Exercise

Regular exercise can be beneficial for ADHD and other mental health difficulties. Benefits include:

• reduced impulsivity,
• reduced hyperactivity,
• improved attention control,
• enhanced executive functioning,
• improved mood,
• better sleep.

Guidance and support:

• Read what to know about exercise and ADHD.
• Visit Mindwell’s exercise and move your way for advice and support.
• Watch how exercise can help with ADHD (and how to actually do it).

Eating well

The food you eat can affect your physical and mental health. For more information on eating a balanced diet, visit NHS live well, eat well.

Mindfulness

Practising mindfulness can improve your focus and attention, along with other benefits for your mental and physical health.

• Learn more about mindfulness and find local support in Leeds on the MindWell Leeds website.
• Watch what is mindfulness.
• Read meditation for the bored and 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 don’t need a formal diagnosis to access this support. ADHD UK has an employer’s guide to ADHD with ideas for reasonable adjustments called the ADHD Work Welfare Pack.

If you’re a student, check out this advice and guidance for students with ADHD and see if you’re eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Sleep

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has advice for improving your sleep. The Sleepio App is a six-week programme used to treat insomnia, available free on the NHS. Watch this video on ADHD and Sleep.

ADHD support groups and mental health support networks

Leeds ADHD Support Group

A community for people in Leeds with ADHD, their families, and supporters. Visit Leeds ADHD to find out more, including upcoming events and an online group.

West Yorkshire ADHD Support Group

A charity supporting adults with ADHD and parents/carers of children with ADHD in West Yorkshire. They offer online support, peer support meetings, and help with applying for Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and carers allowance. Visit West Yorkshire ADHD Support Group.

The Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, or worried, the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) can help. They offer psychological support, including CBT, counselling, guided self-help, and group classes. Find out more about the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service.

MindWell Leeds

An online directory for adult mental health and wellbeing support in Leeds. Visit MindWell Leeds.

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

A social prescribing service that helps address concerns affecting your physical and mental wellbeing, such as debt problems, housing issues, and loneliness. It’s tailored to you and connects you to services that help you feel better and live healthier lives. Visit Linking Leeds.

​Exploring other causes for your symptoms

​We understand that waiting for an ADHD assessment and treatment can be stressful and worrying. It’s important to know that symptoms of ADHD can be similar to those of other neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health conditions, or physical health issues. During an ADHD assessment, we explore your difficulties in detail to ensure they are not better explained by another condition. This thorough approach helps us provide the most appropriate support and treatment for you.

We recommend discussing your symptoms with your GP to see if they might be caused by something else. This can help you access the right support and treatment more quickly. ADHD can often occur alongside other conditions, which might need specific treatment before or alongside ADHD treatment. Below are some examples of conditions that can have symptoms similar to ADHD.

• Autism: people with autism can have difficulties with organisation, planning, and emotional regulation.
• Generalised anxiety disorder: symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
• Depression: symptoms can include poor concentration, indecisiveness, fatigue, disturbed sleep, agitation, and low motivation.
• Perimenopause and menopause: symptoms include poor concentration, memory issues, difficulties multitasking, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and sleep disturbances.

Other conditions to consider include post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, dyslexia, and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) or dyspraxia.