ADHD Express Clinic

It is very common for someone who has ADHD to be diagnosed with another psychiatric condition. Approximately 70% of adults with ADHD are diagnosed with depression at some point during their life.

Often, the symptoms of one condition mask the presence of the other. For example, a person could be diagnosed with depression and given antidepressants to treat it but then find that they still struggle with inattentiveness. They may then be diagnosed with ADHD as well. ADHD was present the whole time but was initially hidden by the symptoms of depression, which can be very similar to the symptoms of the predominantly inattentive ADHD type.

As well as depression, other conditions that often occur with ADHD include anxiety, bipolar disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, dyslexia and sensory processing disorder.

ADHD does not have any effect on long-term memory; however, it is associated with short-term memory loss problems. 

Attention is crucial for short-term memory formation. Since people with ADHD often struggle with their focus and attention, they may find it more difficult to form short-term memories. This can cause them to forget tasks, miss details in routines and struggle to complete activities that require sustained focus.

Without management, ADHD can lead to a range of challenges in all areas of life. 

For example, a student who struggles to pay attention may have difficulty following tasks, learning new material and completing assignments at school. An adult who finds it difficult to focus may struggle at work and could find it challenging to perform well in their job and advance in their career. 

A person who has high impulsivity is more likely to make rash decisions that could potentially harm themselves or others. A person with untreated ADHD may also struggle to maintain healthy relationships.

Treatment can help people with ADHD overcome the challenges they face and improve their quality of life. If you are looking for an ADHD clinic in London, we can offer you the help you need at the Blue Tree Clinic. Get in touch with us using our contact form here.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects a person’s behaviour and is usually diagnosed in childhood. People with ADHD tend to have a hard time concentrating (inattentiveness), often act on impulse (impulsivity) and may be abnormally active (hyperactivity).

It is estimated that 4-12% of children have ADHD and boys are 2-3 times more likely to display hyperactivity than girls. If one child in a family has ADHD, it is quite likely that their sibling/s will also have the condition. Often, parents of children with ADHD showed signs of ADHD themselves in their childhood.

ADHD can have a negative impact on various aspects of an individual’s life and can cause problems at school, work or home. Families tend to seek help for a child with ADHD when the condition starts to interfere with their performance at school.

A combination of therapy, support and medication can effectively manage the challenges of ADHD. The specific treatment a person receives will vary depending on their age, the severity of their symptoms, their tolerance for medications and their personal preferences. 

Early detection and intervention in childhood can reduce the severity of a person’s symptoms, reduce their behavioural issues, improve their development and learning abilities and enhance their quality of life. However, it is never too late to seek treatment for ADHD. 

People of all ages have been successfully treated for ADHD at the Blue Tree Clinic. You can reach out to us to get a private ADHD assessment in London using our contact form.

Symptoms of ADHD

The 3 main symptoms of ADHD are inattention (being easily distracted), impulsivity (acting without thinking) and hyperactivity (being unusually active). 

A person who is inattentive will find it difficult to focus on and finish tasks. They may struggle to stay organised, remember details, follow instructions or keep track of conversations.

Someone displaying impulsivity will have problems controlling their behaviour. They may interrupt other people frequently and speak at inappropriate times. In children, this may mean they blurt out answers at school and find it difficult to wait their turn. People with impulsivity often have more injuries and accidents than others.

Hyperactivity usually means a person fidgets and talks a lot. They may struggle to sit still for extended periods of time (such as during eating a meal or watching a show). Small children with hyperactivity may continually run, jump or climb. 

Hyperactivity, if present, is typically apparent early in a child’s life – generally by the time they turn 7. It can sometimes be noticeable in very small children. Signs of inattention and impulsivity, on the other hand, may not be observed until a child starts school and begins to struggle with certain challenges. 

Typically, all 3 symptoms – inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity – occur together; however, sometimes people experience one of these symptoms without the others.

As a result, there are 3 main types of ADHD that are categorised based on the symptoms that are strongest:

1. Combined type – all 3 symptoms are present.
2. Predominantly inattentive type – inattention is present without impulsivity or hyperactivity.
3. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type – impulsivity and hyperactivity are present without inattention. This is the least common type.

If you believe you or your child is struggling with inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity, the Blue Tree Clinic specialists are here and ready to help you. We offer private ADHD assessments in London. Fill out our contact form here to find out more.

What causes ADHD?

The exact cause of ADHD is not currently known and continues to be researched. However, ADHD tends to occur in multiple people within the same family so there is likely some genetic link. A child with ADHD has a 1 in 4 chance of having a parent who also has ADHD. Sometimes, when a child is diagnosed with ADHD, their parent is diagnosed at the same time. 

As well as genetics, environmental factors are also believed to play a role. For example, serious head injuries are sometimes associated with the development of ADHD and, in very rare cases, exposure to toxins such as lead has been linked to ADHD. Although it is a popular belief that eating too much sugar can lead to hyperactivity, there is no evidence that sugar contributes to ADHD.

ADHD may also be caused by disruptions during pregnancy that affect the development of the baby’s brain. For example, ADHD is more common in people who were born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), had a low birth weight or had mothers who smoked or drank alcohol during their pregnancy. 

Research has shown that when you compare the brains of people with and without ADHD, there are several differences. For example, the brain scans of people with ADHD show a lower level of activity in the parts of their brains that control attention.

ADHD treatment options at the Blue Tree Clinic

Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are multiple ways that the condition can be treated and managed. For children, increasing their support at school and home is often enough to help them successfully manage their symptoms and adapt to life with ADHD. In some cases, a child may benefit from medication as well as therapeutic support. 

It is important to ensure that parents also feel supported when their child is diagnosed with ADHD. Our therapists are available to help you understand your child and their condition more deeply and learn how to care for your child in a way that really works for you both. 

For adults with ADHD, medication is often the first choice for treatment. However, therapy can also be used to help manage the condition. At our private clinic in London, our experienced therapists are trained in using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help people with ADHD. They will tailor the therapy you receive to ensure that you get the most out of it. 

If our team believe you would benefit from medication, we may suggest that you see one of our private psychiatrists who will assess your specific situation and prescribe you medication, if needed.

At the Blue Tree Clinic, we have helped individuals of all ages successfully manage their ADHD symptoms through both therapy and medication. If you think your child’s behaviour seems different from most children their age, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us using our contact form. 

Likewise, please reach out to us if you think you or a loved one may have ADHD but were not diagnosed as a child. We can offer you a private ADHD assessment in London to help you get the clarity and support you need.