ADHD and mental health
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects a person’s ability to concentrate, control impulses and manage energy levels
While ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is often seen as a behavioural issue, it significantly impacts mental health. ADHD contributes to anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation. Difficulty with focusing, following tasks and controlling impulsive behaviour can lead to frustration and low self-worth, especially when these symptoms interfere with daily life. These emotional struggles often trigger or worsen mental health conditions.
For people with ADHD, the pressure to meet social, academic or professional expectations can feel intense. Understanding the connection between ADHD and mental health is key to managing both effectively since struggles of living with ADHD can also affect mood, self-esteem and relationships.
Common myths about ADHD
ADHD only affects children
ADHD can persist into adulthood and many adults with ADHD are undiagnosed, struggling with symptoms throughout their lives.
only boys have ADHD
Anyone can have ADHD. Boys and men tend to display more hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, while girls and women are more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive ADHD.
ADHD is just a behavioural problem
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects mental health, emotion regulation and cognitive functioning.
signs of ADHD
There are three (3) subtypes of ADHD. If you get a diagnosis, it will be one of the below. This will be according to the symptoms you may frequently experience, which should persist for at least six months and negatively impact your social and academic/work activities.
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
You may have more energy than others, act before thinking, and be restless or impatient. This type is more commonly diagnosed in men and boys. Common signs include:
- Fidgeting or trouble staying still
- Talking a lot or interrupting others
- Struggling to wait your turn
- Always ‘on the go’
- Difficulty doing quiet or leisure activities.
Inattentive Type
You may struggle to focus or follow instructions, miss details or forget things, feeling like your mind is often elsewhere. This type is more commonly diagnosed in girls, women and adults. Common signs include:
- Daydreaming and spacing out in conversations
- Losing things like keys or glasses
- Being easily distracted
- Trouble staying organised
- Forgetting appointments or bills
- Avoiding tasks that need long focus.
Combined Type
You experience a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive traits. This is the most commonly diagnosed type.
the neurodiversity umbrella
ADHD is one example of what’s known as neurodiversity. This is a term used to describe the natural differences in how people’s brains work. People with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia or dyspraxia may think, learn or interact with the world in ways that are different from what’s considered ‘typical’. These differences aren’t flaws, they’re simply part of the broad range of how human brains function.
In the UK, it’s estimated that about 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent.
ADHD and its impact on mental wellbeing
ADHD can have long-term effects on mental health. Some common impacts include:
- Emotional Dysregulation: ADHD can make it hard to control emotions, leading to extreme reactions to everyday situations, mood swings or emotional outbursts.
- Low Self-Esteem: The constant struggle with staying organised, meeting deadlines or completing tasks can lead to feelings of failure or inadequacy.
- Relationship Struggles: Socially, people with ADHD might struggle to maintain friendships or relationships due to impulsive behaviour, creating social isolation or anxiety.
- Burnout: Young people and adults with ADHD are more susceptible to burnout due to prolonged stress. This can happen through managing time, organising tasks and following through on commitments, which can contribute to chronic stress.
- Mental health conditions: Because of all of the above, ADHD often co-occurs with anxiety disorders, depression and in children and teens, with conduct disorder.
- Masking: This can mean using conscious or unconscious strategies to hide or downplay signs of ADHD (or autism) to appear more ‘neurotypical’. This might look like putting extra effort into staying focused, sitting still or being extra careful not to interrupt others – even though it feels exhausting on the inside. Masking may lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis and over time it can cause burnout or low self-esteem.
- Hyperfocus: intense and prolonged concentration on a specific activity or interest, often to the point of losing track of time and ignoring everything else around you. Many neurodivergent people see hyperfocus as their strength.
- Sleep: ADHD often disrupts sleep patterns and poor sleep can worsen mental health.
managing ADHD
Managing both ADHD and mental health challenges requires a comprehensive approach:
Seek Professional Support
ADHD and mental health conditions should be managed with the help of healthcare professionals who may recommend therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), medication or behavioural interventions. Learn more on how to get support from the NHS Inform website.
Build a Strong Support Network
Family, friends and support groups can provide much-needed encouragement and understanding.
Implement Routine
Structure and routine are key to managing ADHD symptoms. Regular schedules can help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of control.
Physical exercise
Make time for physical activities you enjoy, as exercise is a good focus for your energy. Exercise also has a lot of mental health benefits.
Seek reasonable adjustments
You can ask for reasonable adjustments at your workplace if you are neurodivergent. If you are a student at university or college, you can reach out to a specialised neurodiversity support team that will help you with accommodations that can help you with assignments and exams, as well as peer support
Emotion regulation techniques
You can learn techniques that will help you manage strong emotions, like breathing techniques, acknowledging your feelings and reframing negative self-talk to positive thoughts.
Mindfulness Techniques
Practising mindfulness can help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and promote relaxation.
supporting someone with ADHD
Supporting a loved one with ADHD requires empathy, patience and understanding:
Encourage Healthy Routines: Help them create and stick to daily routines that help manage their symptoms.
Listen Without Judgement: Offer a listening ear without dismissing their concerns, even if the issues seem minor. You can also offer them practical help, like taking them to appointments.
Support Professional Help: Encourage them to seek professional advice or therapy and accompany them if they need support.
support
Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.
We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well supporting with debt, grants and benefits.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.
For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.
Other support
The Scottish ADHD Coalition offers various resources/groups for people with ADHD and families who have someone with ADHD within Scotland.
ADHDadultUK provides resources for adults with ADHD and is run by adults with ADHD. They have a community forum hosted on Discord where you can meet other adults with ADHD.
ADHD UK provides a lot of resources ranging from work adjustments and diagnosis to UK specific waiting times.
