The OAD Clinic
Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treatment Clinic
ADHD is a behavioural disorder that includes symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. They tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are 6 to 12 years old.
There are three subtypes of ADHD:
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Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: This subtype is
characterized by symptoms of inattention, such as difficulty
paying attention, forgetfulness, disorganization, and difficulty
completing tasks.
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Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: This subtype is
characterized by symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as
fidgeting, interrupting others, and difficulty waiting their turn.
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Combined Presentation: This subtype includes symptoms of both
inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Download our FREE Adult ADHD Patient's Guide
As an internationally recognised centre, The OAD Clinic offers personalised and bespoke ADHD treatment for adults, treatment for ADHD in women and men is highly complex. Our Adult ADHD treatment methodology adds emphasis on the care and needs of the patient. At The OAD Clinic, our experts in treatment for ADHD place particular attention to the highest standards of care.
ADHD can be caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. ADHD tends to run in
families, but this doesn't always mean that ADHD is purely genetic. Environmental factors may also lead to the development of ADHD, including:
● Prenatal exposure to toxins
● Premature birth
● Low birth weight
● Head injuries or trauma
● Poor diet
● Lack of physical activity
● Excessive screen time (on devices like tablets and smartphones)
It’s important to note that in most cases, the cause of ADHD is not singular - an interplay and combination of different factors can cause ADHD. More research is still required to fully understand this complex disorder.
ADHD can develop at any age, but it’s mostly diagnosed in childhood. ADHD symptoms often emerge before the age of 12, but it can also be noticed later on in adulthood if milder symptoms are present. ADHD symptoms are not fixed for life - symptoms can evolve over time and become more or less noticeable. This is often as a result of age and exposure to various life circumstances.
In order to properly diagnose ADHD and receive ADHD treatment, it’s crucial that you undergo comprehensive assessments to determine whether you have ADHD, and where your ADHD condition is within the spectrum of ADHD symptomatology. This data can help when creating a treatment plan to tackle the specific symptoms you experience.
ADHD treatment in the UK is usually in the form of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. These work
together to help reduce symptoms and improve your ability to do daily tasks. ADHD treatment medication might include stimulants to enhance attention and minimise hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Alongside stimulants, therapy treatment for ADHD can involve behavioural therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which can help with understanding ADHD symptoms and can equip you with the tools available to cope with symptoms. CBT can help address dysfunctional thoughts and feelings, teaching you how to handle these effectively.
ADHD treatment for adults also means lifestyle changes to help alleviate symptoms. Examples of lifestyle
adjustments that might be necessary as part of ADHD treatment include better sleep habits and creating
organisation systems.
Please keep in mind that ADHD treatment can vary from individual to individual and is tailored to suit the
individual’s personal requirements in terms of the symptoms that are more prominent, and the coping strategies which work best for you.
Unfortunately, ADHD has no definite ‘cure’. However, with appropriate ADHD treatment, ADHD symptoms can be managed effectively with no significant impact on daily functioning. As a result, ADHD treatment for adults focuses on the management of ADHD symptoms rather than curing the disorder itself.
The symptoms of ADHD usually improve with age, but many adults who were diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems. ADHD patients may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.
Symptoms can persist well into adulthood, which is why it’s essential to have a supportive and expert clinical team by your side to help you navigate evolving ADHD symptoms and the reduce the impact of ADHD related behaviour on your life. Treating ADHD involves ongoing
commitment and effort, with personalised treatment plans that suit the individual’s specific symptoms.
Although ADHD is not curable, this doesn’t mean that your quality of life is negatively affected forever. The OAD Clinic can help you lead a fulfilling life that is not impacted by your condition.
Our team of clinicians and consultant psychiatrists have many years of experience using combined clinical and electronic assessment tools.
Clinical Testing and Diagnosing ADHD:
At The OAD Clinic, we base ADHD assessments on the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which is used globally. The assessment is comprehensive and covers clinical and psychosocial factors including the examination of any co-occurring mood disorders (such as anxiety and depression) or co occurring neurodevelopmental disorders such as Asperger's, which in instances have proven to be associated with ADHD. We also conduct a structured diagnostic interview following the internationally recognised DIVA-5 protocol. This step is key in determining symptomatology for impulsivity/hyperactivity and/or inattention.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms should also have a moderate effect on different areas of life, such as:
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Underachieving at work or in education
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Driving dangerously
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Difficulty making or keeping friends
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Difficulty in relationships with partners
If your problems are recent and did not occur regularly in the past, you're not considered to have ADHD. This is because it's currently thought that ADHD cannot develop for the first time in adults.
Countries We Serve
Are you based in Europe, UK, United States, India, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates? The OAD Clinic in London is a widely recognised centre for ADHD treatment in the UK with extensive experience in providing treatment for ADHD. Get in touch with us for more information on ADHD treatment in the UK as a UK visitor.