ADHD
What is it
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. People with ADHD have lots of energy and they can have difficulty concentrating.
It can be hard for people with ADHD to control what they say and do – this can mean that they do things and speak impulsively (when you act or speak without thinking it through first). Symptoms of ADHD can start early in life. People with ADHD might struggle in their personal lives and they can experience difficulties in relationships with friends and family. ADHD is heritable disorder (this means that parents can pass it on to their children through their genes and DNA), so ADHD often runs in families. People with ADHD might find it helpful to speak to their family and share experiences.
Feelings and behaviours
- Finding it hard to pay attention and concentrate
- Being easily distracted
- Daydreaming a lot
- Having overactive thinking
- Finding it hard to organise yourself and your things
- Often acting quickly before thinking about it first because you’re impulsive or your mood is unstable
Physical signs
- Being physically over-active
- Feeling restless or fidgety
What’s going on
Interviews, art, blogs, and tips about mental health and wellbeing.
Find out more about the signs of ADHD, ADHD symptoms, and how ADHD can affect someone’s life
It can be difficult to know how to start a conversation about mental health. Here are some tips and conversation starters.
A list of mental health books for teenagers co-developed by health experts and young people with The Reading Agency.
A list of mental health books for children co-developed by health experts and families with The Reading Agency.
Get support for how you’re feeling
Get mental health support for young people
Information about mental health services (including CAMHS) if you’re a young person in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, or Westminster.
Digital mental health support for young people across the UK
Information about apps, websites, and other digital tools that exist to support you with your mental health and wellbeing.