Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that presents with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In Australia about 6-8% of children and 3-5% of adults experience ADHD symptoms. That’s over a million Australians!
The neurodiversity model says we should be recognising and accepting neurological differences as a natural form of human diversity. It challenges the medical model which often medicalises these differences and instead says neurodivergent people, including those with ADHD, have strengths and perspectives that are valuable to society.
This model encourages us to move away from deficits and impairments and towards recognising the strengths and contributions of people with ADHD. It fits with the broader societal values of diversity and inclusion, where we create environments that support and celebrate neurological differences not pathologize them. Understanding ADHD from a clinical perspective is key to creating a non-judgmental therapeutic space where clients can explore their own challenges and get tailored support and strategies. Therapy can also help people develop skills to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) presents in many different ways and can look very different from person to person. Common symptoms of ADHD include difficulty sustaining attention during tasks or activities, trouble with organisation and getting easily distracted or interrupted. People may also fidget or squirm in their seat, talk excessively or interrupt, blurt out answers or interrupt others. They may also have trouble waiting their turn, lose things or forget important items and have trouble with time management and organisation.
These symptoms can impact daily life and overall functioning. If you or someone you know is experiencing several of these symptoms, getting an assessment from a qualified healthcare professional, such as a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, is important. A proper ADHD diagnosis can lead to treatment and support.
ADHD is diagnosed according to the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) criteria. These criteria are a set of behavioural criteria. The ADHD assessment process is a structured and comprehensive process to help manage ADHD symptoms. It includes an initial screener, clinical consultations and a detailed report with recommendations for treatment. All designed to get a clear understanding of the individual’s experiences and symptoms according to the guidelines.
In the DSM-V ADHD presents in 3 ways:
Predominantly inattentive symptoms like lack of concentration or focus.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms like speaking or acting without thinking first.
A combination of both.
From a neurodiversity-affirming perspective these behaviours are part of natural variation, however for many reasons people may want to access a formal assessment and diagnosis. It’s important that registered psychologists (or other qualified health professionals, such as psychiatrists or paediatricians) are involved in the ADHD assessment.
People with ADHD often have high levels of creativity, energy and enthusiasm. They can think outside the box, solve problems in new ways and hyperfocus on things that interest them. These can be super useful in entrepreneurial ventures, creative industries and fast paced environments where quick thinking and adaptability is key.
While we recognise the strengths of ADHD we also need to acknowledge the challenges that people with ADHD face. The traditional education and work systems are not designed to accommodate neurodiverse ways of thinking and working which can be tough for people with ADHD. Developing strategies and skills to manage these challenges can help with daily living and overall wellbeing.
In educational settings students with ADHD may struggle with the structure and demands of traditional classrooms which require sustained attention, organisation and sitting still for long periods. This can lead to underachievement, frustration and low self esteem. In the workplace adults with ADHD may struggle with time management, organisation and meeting deadlines. Traditional work environments that value routine and consistency can be tough. Therapy can help manage symptoms by providing structure through counselling, coaching and skill building exercises.
Managing Adult ADHD often requires a multi faceted approach that includes medication, therapy and lifestyle changes. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, improve daily living and overall wellbeing.
Medication: Stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin are commonly prescribed for ADHD. These medications work by adjusting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine, which help with attention and focus.
Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective form of therapy for ADHD. It helps people understand their condition, identify areas of difficulty and develop strategies to manage their symptoms. CBT can also help with organisation, time management and self regulation skills.
Lifestyle Changes: Healthy lifestyle habits can make a big difference to ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and enough sleep are part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Working with an experienced ADHD psychologist or healthcare professional is key to developing a treatment plan that’s tailored to you and your goals. This collaborative approach means you get the most effective support for your ADHD symptoms.
Therapy for Adult ADHD can bring many benefits to overall wellbeing and daily living. Some of these include:
Better Symptom Management: Therapy gives individuals the tools to manage their ADHD symptoms so they can function better in all areas of life.
Greater Self Awareness: Through therapy individuals gain a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses and areas of difficulty so they can develop greater self awareness and self acceptance.
Better Relationships: Therapy can help individuals develop skills to improve communication, relationships and social interactions so they can have more fulfilling connections with others.
More Productivity: By learning strategies to improve organisation, time management and productivity individuals can achieve more in their personal and professional life.
Better Mental Health: Therapy can help address underlying mental health issues like anxiety, depression and stress so overall mental health and wellbeing can improve.
Working with an experienced ADHD psychologist or healthcare professional can help you develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to you and your goals. This means you get comprehensive support so you can manage symptoms, gain self awareness and overall wellbeing.
There’s a lot of misinformation about Adult ADHD that can stop people from seeking diagnosis and treatment and can lead to long term negative outcomes. Examples of these include:
One of the most common myths is that ADHD isn’t a real condition. However, there’s a wealth of research that shows ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. It affects brain function and structure and causes difficulties with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Recognising ADHD as a real condition is key to understanding and supporting those who live with it. Treating ADHD is also important for overall mental health and related mental health issues.
Another myth is that ADHD is caused by bad parenting. This is false and harmful. ADHD has a biological basis and is influenced by genetic and neurodevelopmental factors. Parenting style doesn’t cause ADHD but good parenting can help manage its effects.
Some say ADHD is overdiagnosed. Certainly there is a risk of misdiagnosis if comprehensive assessments are not conducted. However, studies show that ADHD is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Misinformation about ADHD and not seeking professional help are some of the reasons for this. A proper diagnosis by a healthcare professional using standardised criteria is key to accurate diagnosis and support.
It’s a myth that kids with ADHD will just outgrow it. While some symptoms may reduce with age, ADHD often persists into adulthood. Many adults continue to experience significant challenges which can impact their personal and professional life if not managed. One of the worries is that as people get older they learn to mask their ADHD traits. In the past this may have been seen as “getting better” or outgrowing the condition. But we now know that masking can have a negative impact on the individual’s mental health and that there are more positive and healthier ways to manage ADHD symptoms.
Another myth is that medication is the only treatment for ADHD. While medication can be helpful especially for core symptoms, actually other interventions including cognitive-behavioural therapy, lifestyle changes and environmental modifications are key to optimal outcomes.
The stereotype that ADHD only affects boys leads to underdiagnosis in girls and women. Girls often present with less overt hyperactivity so are missed or diagnosed later. Recognising that ADHD affects all genders is important so everyone gets the support they need and people can find community with others like them.
As neurodiversity-affirming psychologists, we can work with people with ADHD. This involves:
Assessment and Diagnosis: Conducting comprehensive assessments that take into account the individual’s strengths, challenges and context. A holistic approach to understand the person’s experiences and needs. Our ADHD psychologists provide tailored counselling and therapy to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
We don’t do comprehensive formal ADHD assessments at Cova Psychology. If you would like to pursue this option please contact Yarra City Psychology. They are a practice of neuropsychologists who have the right equipment to do the testing to make an ADHD diagnosis.
Advocacy: Advocating for systemic change in educational, occupational and social systems to create more inclusive and supportive environments for neurodiverse people. This means helping people with ADHD to modify their own environments to suit their needs and strengths. Addressing workplace stress is also key for people with ADHD to manage work related challenges.
Psychoeducation: Educating people with ADHD and their loved ones about ADHD from a neurodiversity perspective, about strengths and how to navigate challenges.
Therapeutic Interventions: Interventions that build skills in:
Managing thoughts and emotions,
Self awareness,
Managing certain situations,
Healthy and self compassionate beliefs.
Tailored ADHD treatment plans are important as they build skills for adults with ADHD. Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour therapy (DBT) have been shown to be helpful for ADHD symptoms.
Treating Comorbid Conditions: People with ADHD are more likely to be autistic and have anxiety and depression. Clearly part of a psychologist’s role is to treat these other conditions.
At Cova Psychology we have a special interest in ADHD, and have several Melbourne psychologists
who work in this area. If you have an ADHD diagnosis or are experiencing some of the above symptoms, therapy with a therapist who has experience in treating ADHD can help. Our experienced ADHD psychologists see both individual and group clients and can provide information about brain functioning and strategies to manage ADHD. If you would like to book in with a Cova therapist contact our friendly reception team at:
Our therapists see both face to face and telehealth clients.
If you liked this page you may also like our neurodiversity page and our ADHD blog for more information and resources regarding understanding and managing ADHD.
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Cova Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where our Melbourne CBD practice is located—the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, as well as the Elders of other Aboriginal communities in Melbourne and beyond.
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