Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What Is ADHD? And How Does ADHD Relate to Anxiety?
ADHD is short for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If you have ADHD, it means that you experience difficulty with attention, focus, restlessness, and staying organised, among other things. Living with ADHD can make everyday responsibilities challenging and can affect relationships, work, and self-esteem.
People with ADHD often experience significant anxiety but not always. If anxiety is playing a role for you don’t hesitate to book in to speak with me.
If you do have ADHD, or think that you might, I hope that this page provides some helpful information on getting help with ADHD, whether that is with me or elsewhere.
The Biggest Misunderstanding About ADHD
One thing I’ve noticed in talking with people is that there is frequently a crucial misunderstanding about ADHD, and this misunderstanding means people aren’t getting the right help.
The misunderstanding is that people often think that this thing we call ADHD is causing their symptoms. However, the diagnosis of ADHD only means that you are experiencing a specific set of symptoms. So ADHD is actually an outcome, the diagnosis does not tell you why you have these issues. If you do have ADHD it could be caused by a neuro-developmental/neurological factors, environmental factors, psychological factors, or a combination of factors. The evidence does seem to suggest that for most people ADHD is caused by developmental/neurological factors but this is not always the case.
Knowing that ADHD is an outcome and not a cause is important because if we assume that it is just a neuro-developmental condition then you might miss out on treatments that could help you.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD can vary greatly from person to person, with some experiencing primarily inattentive symptoms, while others may struggle with hyperactivity, impulsivity or hyperfocus. Many adults may have grown up with undiagnosed ADHD, finding coping mechanisms along the way, but still facing difficulties.
- Difficulty maintaining attention or focus
- Impulsiveness or acting without thinking
- Challenges with organization and completing tasks
- Frequent forgetfulness in daily activities
- Restlessness or feeling constantly “on the go”
- Talking excessively or interrupting others
Treatment Options For ADHD
Deciding how to approach ADHD treatment depends on the specific challenges you’re experiencing and what you hope to achieve. For some, medication may be beneficial, while others may benefit from behavioural strategies, lifestyle changes, or therapy to improve organisation, attention, and emotional regulation.
If it’s helpful, talk with someone (like a friend, your GP, or a psychologist) to help clarify your goals for treatment.
I’ve listed some resources below. Note these are not professional recommendations nor endorsements but are great ideas to check out so you can figure out what might help you.
Professional Treatments for ADHD
Seeing a General Practitioner (GP)
A GP is often the first step in exploring professional treatment options for ADHD. They can assess your symptoms, provide referrals to psychologists or psychiatrists, and discuss potential treatment plans, which may include medication or therapy.
Seeing a Psychologist
Psychologists specialising in ADHD can offer strategies and behavioural interventions tailored to managing ADHD symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and organisational skills training can be beneficial in building coping strategies.
Seeing a Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications commonly used to manage ADHD, such as stimulants, and offer ongoing management and monitoring.
Programs at Private Clinics
- ADHD Day Program at The Melbourne Clinic: A structured program focusing on attention, memory, executive functioning, coping strategies, and interpersonal relationships for adults with ADHD.
- ADHD Group Therapy Program by VCPS: A 10-week program offering evidence-based solutions on topics like time management, procrastination, prioritization, and sleep, all facilitated by experienced psychologists.
Public Mental Health Services
In my experience, public mental health services will not take you on if your primary difficulty is ADHD. If you have other difficulties and also have ADHD then they may offer you support.
Community Health Services
Some local councils and community health centres in Melbourne may offer low-cost support programs and resources for ADHD. Check with your council’s health services to see what help is available to you.
Self-Help For ADHD
There are two main websites for support/services in Melbourne if you want to get started on your own. Both have a bunch of resources that I think are worth checking out:
Read Some Books About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
There are a lot of self-help books out there for ADHD. Unfortunately, I don’t have recommendations other than to start with ones written by experts. Some of them may also be available at your local library.
Another angle to consider if you are up for a bit of reading (and if you have made it this far down the page you are doing well) is to read books written for clinicians. If this does interest you then head into your local university library and they should have a collection.
Need Help Managing Your ADHD? Let’s talk!
Fax:
(03) 7020 2738
Locations and Hours:
R2R Health In Moonee Ponds:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 9 AM to 6:20 PM
