Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is described in the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) as “a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impairing levels of inattention, disorganisation, and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity”.

The DSM-5-TR uses the same criteria as the DSM-5 for diagnosing ADHD, which includes persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning.

This source is the handbook used by health care professionals in the United States and much of the world as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. 

We can all experience ADHD traits whether diagnosed or not – none of the traits are exlusive to ADHD.

If you are ADHD, rest assured that you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.

You are neurodivergent, not everyone sees the world in the same way.

If you or a colleague/partner/friend etc exhibit a number of these and it has a significant impact on their functioning, it may be ADHD at work. Particularly so where this has been problematic going back to childhood. Many are linked and interact with eachother.

I haven’t labelled signs of ADHD as ‘superpowers’ versus impediments as they are all subjective to the individual and can at the same time be both!

To receive a diagnosis, an individual must have: 

• Persistent symptoms: Symptoms present for at least six months. 
• Age of onset: Some symptoms present before age 12. 
• Functional impairment: Clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with social, academic, or occupational functioning. 
• Multisite impairment: Symptoms are present in at least two settings (e.g., home and work/school). 
• Exclusion of other disorders:Symptoms are not better explained by another psychiatric disorder. 

Diagnostic categories (at least six symptoms from one or both): 

Inattention

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes 
• Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play 
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly 
• Does not follow through on instructions or finish tasks 
• Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities 
• Avoids or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort 
• Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities 
• Is easily distracted 
• Is forgetful in daily activities 

Hyperactivity-impulsivity

• Fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat 
• Often leaves their seat in situations where it is inappropriate 
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate 
• Often unable to take part in leisure activities quietly 
• Is often “on the go” or “driven by a motor” 
• Talks excessively 
• Blurts out an answer before a question has been completed 
• Has trouble waiting their turn 
• Interrupts or intrudes on others 

Those with ADHD will not always have significant symptoms in every area, indeed this is perhaps why it appears to be under-diagnosed. Many of us thought that it is just for those who were naughty at school or always running around with energy to burn physically.

For many the route to diagnosis (in the UK) tends to be referral from the GP with pre-assessment papers to complete and accompany the referral. It’s a long waiting list often more than three years on the NHS though you can opt to speed up your assessment by going down the Right To Choose (RTC) approach.

Once referred you will often be asked further questions about how symptoms affect you and you may be asked to pass the forms onto somebody else who k is you I.e. partner, parents, friends…to provide further information and context around how it can impact you and others.

Then you await assessment and hopefully you find out the outcome one of your assessment. You then must consider whether you want medication or not and how to get it. Many GPs will not take a share of responsibility for patients at presenting with ADHD and medication needs instead leaving it to the subject matter experts.

Mythbusters

• You cannot catch it from others 
• You don’t have to be loud or run around lots to get a diagnosis
• ADHD is believed to be present from birth and affects brain chemistry and circuitry.
• There does t seem to be a lot more ADHD about now than previously but it’s more than it is discussed more openly now in general.
• You can appear to handle life well with ADHD, sometimes labelled as ‘masking’ which is to say that appearing to be ‘normal’ or neurotypical is concealing private struggles.
• Many adults of all ages are still waiting to be assessed. You don’t grow out of it though you may become better at living with it.
• The symptoms of ADHD are not exclusive to ADHD and so it takes work to ensure accurate assessment.
• People with ADHD may go throughout their life never realising that they were ADHD, or be subject to ‘late diagnosis’
• ADHD is not about being lazy or mischievous at its core and those with it may simply want to be seen and understood and u restart the impact it has on your everyday life.

What do you think? Any experiences of this? Any ‘hacks’? Want to add to the list or include examples of how these can be your superpower or impediment?