Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition present from birth, and it frequently runs in families. Current estimates suggest it affects around 5% of the population — roughly 3.5 million people in the UK alone — with a great many living with it unrecognised. Because symptoms are present from an early age but often subtle or misattributed to personality or upbringing, diagnosis is frequently delayed well into adulthood.
It's worth being clear about what ADHD is not: it is not the result of poor parenting, diet, screen time, or a lack of discipline. Research points to a strong genetic and hereditary basis — ADHD often occurs alongside autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, and while the specific genetic contributors are still being studied, the underlying biology is well established. There's no way to predict with certainty whether it will be passed to future generations, but the hereditary
The core features of ADHD are difficulties with sustained attention, concentration, restlessness, and impulse control — but in practice, the picture is more nuanced than a simple checklist. Different symptoms show up in different areas of life:
Difficulty completing tasks once started, projects left unfinished, or a pattern of leaving everything to the last minute
Frequent disorganisation, forgetfulness, or missed appointments, which can put a strain on work and personal relationships
Emotional outbursts, impulsive spending, impulsive eating, or actions taken in the moment that are later regretted
This can be physical (finding it hard to sit through a film or meeting) or internal — racing thoughts that make it difficult to switch off or fall asleep
Chronic tiredness is common in untreated ADHD and is sometimes mistaken for other conditions; once ADHD is properly managed, this often improves significantly. Presentation can differ somewhat between men and women — women are sometimes seen as less outwardly disruptive, men as more visibly restless or impulsive — but underlying symptoms are fundamentally the same across genders, and both deserve equally thorough assessment.
A diagnosis of ADHD requires that symptoms meet established clinical criteria — a defined number and severity of symptoms present across more than one setting, such as work, home, or school. A one-off difficulty in a single context is not sufficient for diagnosis; the pattern needs to be consistent and long-standing.
Dr Lakshmanan's ADHD assessments combine structured clinical interviews, validated rating scales, and, where relevant, information from other settings (school, family, or workplace) to build a full picture of how symptoms present and how they affect day-to-day functioning. The assessment also looks carefully at whether any co-occurring conditions may be contributing to, or overlapping with, the symptoms being reported.
Anxiety, depression, and substance use can all produce symptoms that look similar to ADHD on the surface — poor concentration, restlessness, low motivation. Careful differential assessment is essential to avoid a missed or inaccurate diagnosis, and this forms a core part of every evaluation.
Many people manage undiagnosed ADHD through self-devised coping strategies — reminders, lists, and notes — which can help but often become unsustainable on their own. ADHD, however, is a highly treatable condition. Medication has been used safely and effectively since the late 1960s, working primarily on the prefrontal cortex — the brain's centre for planning, focus, and self-regulation. Several medication options are available, and finding the right one, at the right dose, is a gradual process known as titration, carried out under close specialist supervision.
It's a common misconception that ADHD medication is addictive. It is not: stopping the medication doesn't cause withdrawal, though ADHD symptoms will return without it — much like insulin for diabetes, it manages the condition rather than creating dependency. Once the right medication and dose have been established, ongoing prescribing can typically be handed over to your GP under a Shared Care Agreement, in line with NICE guidance, which requires that medication is first initiated by a specialist.
If you think you, or your child, may have ADHD, get in touch to schedule a confidential consultation.
