What is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in school-aged children with the essential features being a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity at more severe degree than in typically developing children.

Depending on the primary symptoms and behaviours they exhibit, ADHD is generally classified into 3 different presentations under the DSM-5 diagnosis. These are predominately:

• • Inattentive
  • Hyperactive-Impulsive, or
  • Combined (which meets the criteria for both presentations)

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Hyperactivity refers to an elevated degree of activity that is considered inappropriate for a given situation.  For example, an individual with hyperactive ADHD may seem to be constantly in motion – jumping on furniture or not being able to sit still.

Impulsivity can be broadly defined as action without foresight (i.e., acting without thinking ahead).  High levels of impulsivity are associated with ADHD.  For example, suddenly climbing a high unsafe high wall without thinking of the dangers ahead.

Hyperactivity and impulsivity can present differently in each person, but some of the common signs include:

• • Physical restlessness and excessive fidgeting.
    • Engages in constant movement, such as tapping their hands or feet
    • Find it challenging to sit still, often fidgeting, shifting in their seat, or pacing
    • Leaves seat in situations where it is not appropriate.
    • Running or climbing a lot at the wrong times.
  • Excessive talking:
    • Interrupting others – Struggles with waiting their turn in conversation.
    • Blurting out the answers before someone finishes asking the question.
    • Starts conversations at inappropriate times.
  • Mental manifestations:
    •  Racing thoughts and difficulty maintaining focus.
  • Little or no sense of danger
    • Will act without thinking about the consequences of their actions.

Help and Support

Poor quality diets (rich in ultra-processed foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats and artificial additives) are associated with both nutritional deficiencies and imbalances and ADHD-type difficulties.  Learn more about this in our blog articles:

• • Additives and preservatives and their impact on sleep in ADD/ADHD children and adults

• • Understanding and managing ADHD – The importance of nutrition and diet

• • What constitutes a healthy diet?

For personalised one to one support to make dietary changes, book an appointment with one of our experienced registered nutritionists:

An occupational therapist (OT) can give guidance and practical strategies to make everyday tasks more manageable.  They can also assist with sensory issues which can create many challenges in everyday situations like classrooms, playgrounds, shops, restaurants, and other community settings.  There are various modifications, strategies and interventions that can be utilised to help support these sensory needs.  Learn more in our blog: 

We also highly recommend reading the following book:  Sensory Circuits – a sensory motor skills programme for children.  It provides information about setting up sensory circuits to prepare children to engage effectively for the day ahead – promoting physical, social, and emotional development.  Below is a list of behaviours that might suggest challenges with sensory processing and integration, indicating there may be potential benefits from trying sensory occupational therapy or sensory circuits:

• • A child who can’t sit still and constantly fidgets
  • A child who constantly wants to escape
  • A child who likes to run and run
  • A child who puts their hands over their ears and complains of everyday noises
  • A child who frequently craves danger
  • A child who always has to touch objects and people
  • A child who is constantly anxious

There is the option to schedule an appointment with a sensory occupational therapist to help you feel more able to recognise and respond to your child’s, or your own, sensory needs, before they reach a state of hyper or hypo arrousal:

Additionally, visit our support page for additional insights to assist your needs: Behaviour Support

Inattentiveness

Inattention is characterized by the difficulty in maintaining focus or attention on a task or activity. It can also involve being readily distracted by external stimuli or overlooking crucial details.

The main signs are:

Help and Support

Anxiety and ADHD

For people with ADHD, and their family and friends, understanding the related mental health conditions and emotional challenges can be both important and helpful.

Although it is not part of the ADHD diagnostic criteria, many individuals with ADHD do experience elevated levels of anxiety. Relatedly, both ADHD and anxiety disorders frequently occur together.

Reports estimating the extent of this overlap vary, as they are dependant on the specific group being investigated. Some studies report rates of co‐occurrence between anxiety and ADHD as being higher than 25%, whilst other research estimates that almost half of adults with ADHD are living with an anxiety disorder.

These conditions can simply exist simultaneously, or ADHD symptoms may contribute to the development of anxiety. It can be difficult to differentiate between anxiety disorders and ADHD as the two conditions can appear similar. For example, some signs that are common to both conditions include difficulty socialising, fidgeting, inattentiveness, and working slowly.

Research also shows that females living with ADHD are more likely to experience a mood disorder, such as anxiety, than males[viii]. In fact, because females often present fewer overt symptoms of ADHD than males, professionals can sometimes diagnose a female with anxiety and miss the presentations of ADHD.

Anxiety symptoms can be particularly taxing for many individuals with ADHD and their loved ones. Experiencing high levels of anxiety can lead to exhaustion, fatigue and burnout which can significantly affect someone’s quality of life, including their physical and mental health, work/school and social life.

Help and Support

Learn more about anxiety and depression in our blog article, and gain an understanding of everyday situations which may trigger feelings of stress and anxiety in individuals with ADHD:  ADHD, Anxiety and Depression – and gain an understanding of everyday situations which may trigger feelings of stress and anxiety in individuals with ADHD.

MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) and MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) are well-established mindfulness programs that offer valuable support to individuals in managing a range of mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Learn more about these therapies in our blog article: 

• • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Function

Food and nutrition are fundamental to mental health.  Learn more about which foods may be making mood disorders worse, and simple switches on how to improve mood in our blog article:

• • The Sugar Rollercoaster

Or, for personalised support please book an appointment with one of our nutritionists:

Help and Support

If you require further assistance please schedule an appointment with one of our nutritionists who can advise you on dietary changes that can support your mental wellbeing, and supplements that can help treat micronutrient deficiencies:

ADHD and Autism

It is not unusual for ADHD and ASD to be mistaken for the other as both conditions may involve trouble with focus and communication in certain situations. Moreover, the symptoms of ADHD can be masked by more prominent or noticeable ASD symptoms which complicates the diagnostic process further.

Research suggests that between 30 and 50% of individuals with ASD showed ADHD symptoms, and two-thirds of individuals with ADHD showed features of ASD. Although these conditions have similarities and overlaps, they are still regarded as distinct conditions.

Help and Support

Gain a deeper insight into ADHD, autism, and frequently co-occurring conditions such as Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, by reading our blog article:

• • Autism and common co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions

Learn how omega 3 fatty acids can affect autism and ADHD type symptoms in our blog article:

• • Dietary omega-3s and autism: Can children benefit from consuming more dietary EPA and DHA

In addition, understand how sensory occupational health can help support behavioural issues:

• • What is sensory occupational therapy?

Or, for one to one support, please book an appointment with an occupational therapist:

What can help?

Each page is tailored for parents of neurodiverse children and neurodiverse individuals seeking resources to improve their wellbeing.  Here, you’ll find a wealth of information on nutrition and therapeutic support designed to positively impact mood, behavior, and sleep in neurodiverse individuals.