ADHD – Cool2Talk
behaviouralmental health

ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but what does that actually mean?

A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity. Put simply, your brain works differently compared with someone who doesn’t have ADHD. So you learn in a different way, and you may sometimes behave differently. You can’t change it, but you can learn to manage it, and it can even give you certain advantages!

If you have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) this means that you can struggle with paying attention, have high levels of energy and react quickly to things. This can get in the way of everyday life such as school, hobbies and making friends, although how much it affects someone can vary from person to person.

Tasks such as sitting still, concentrating and following instructions are much harder for people with ADHD as they often feel restless or fidgety, can be easily distracted and can talk a lot, which makes activities such as school lessons and doing homework even more difficult.

People with ADHD can sometimes find it harder in social situations such as making friends or playing games as they can find it hard to follow conversations, wait for things and take turns. Sometimes people with ADHD also have difficulties with getting to and staying asleep CLICK HERE

ADHD is a result of the brain being wired slightly differently to people who do not have ADHD. Although there is no cure for ADHD, the difficulties experienced, such as high energy levels, difficulties concentrating and reacting quickly, can be helped and managed in many ways including receiving extra support in school, learning techniques and strategies to help you cope and sometimes taking medication.

The Scottish ADHD coalition has more information including support groups HERE
Also here is another useful resource – The Young Person’s Guide to thriving with ADHD HERE

However, the way your brain works with ADHD may also make you more creative, better at problem solving or able to do lots of things at once.