What it is
ADHD runs in families and reflects differences in how the brain develops. It often occurs alongside anxiety, depression, sleep problems or dyslexia.
Support can include medicines, talking therapies such as CBT, coaching and practical adjustments at work or in education.
Common signs
- Difficulty focusing, organising and finishing tasks
- Forgetfulness and losing things
- Restlessness, impatience, talking over others
- Acting on impulse, and mood swings
How it is usually diagnosed
- An assessment by a psychiatrist or specialist team, including your history since childhood
- Questionnaires, sometimes completed by people who know you well
- Heart rate, blood pressure and sometimes an ECG before starting medicine
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- The full assessment report
- School reports from childhood, which can support the assessment
- A record of medicines, doses and how you responded
- Blood pressure, heart rate and weight checks during treatment
Questions to ask your doctor
- What treatment options are there besides medicine?
- How will we judge whether the treatment is working?
- What adjustments could help at work or in studies?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Chest pain, fainting or a very fast heartbeat after starting a medicine
- Thoughts of harming yourself; get help the same day
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.