You may have received a diagnosis of ADHD but perhaps now feel left unsure of what to do next. There are many ways you can manage your ADHD, and it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Ongoing treatment after being diagnosed can involve any combination of medication, psychological therapy, the use of self-help resources, seeking relevant accommodations in workplaces/ educational settings or in some cases, making no changes at all.

Identifying which treatment options are best suited to you can be challenging, so we would recommend seeking the advice of our ADHD specialised clinicians. In the meantime, we hope the below may provide some extra clarity.

Written by Nadine Seif, BSc, Assistant Psychologist, Sloane Court Clinic

“Receiving a diagnosis can be really affirming for some people, providing an explanation for the struggles they’ve experienced for most of their lives,” Dr Soumitra Burman Roy, Consultant Psychiatrist at SCC, comments. “However, the diagnosis can also stimulate feelings of confusion and leave one thinking about what might have been different if one was diagnosed sooner and how one can make change in a meaningful manner.”  

Dr Burman Roy explains how common this is and encourages those who have just been diagnosed use follow-up appointments as a space to reflect on these feelings whilst also discussing further pharmacological or psychological treatment if that is appropriate.

Although ADHD is often associated with challenges, many people have been able to create an environment which plays to the strengths their ADHD affords them. For this reason, some people will not seek any ongoing treatment as they are able to manage their ADHD well, in the context of the environment they are currently in.

For example, some people find that working in fast-paced or dynamic environments allows them to maintain interest and focus on their work. Perhaps you may find yourself excelling in a workplace that requires flexibility, quick thinking, and adaptability and not need any treatment as your symptoms suit your circumstances.

Medication

Medication is one of the most common treatments for ADHD, particularly for those experiencing difficulties with focus, impulse control, and hyperactivity. While there are a few different kinds, these can help individuals with ADHD improve concentration and manage symptoms. They work by altering neurotransmitter activity in the brain, helping to regulate attention and behaviour.

For those considering this treatment option, it can often be a process of trial and error in finding the right medication and dosage for you. There are a few different types of medication that are used for ADHD with some people responding better to some than others. Some people may benefit from short-acting medications while others may need long-acting options, depending on their daily routines and symptom severity.

We offer a robust medication titration service for those with an existing diagnosis of ADHD who would like to explore pharmaceutical treatment options. This involves an ADHD specialised psychiatrist reviewing your ADHD symptoms and their impact on your life and obtaining a holistic picture of your mental health.

To do so, your psychiatrist will ask you for a history of current issues, past psychiatric history, personal history, medical history, drug and alcohol history, family history, history of ADHD symptoms and diagnosis. With this information, they can then select the medication and dosage they believe to suit your needs best. Regular follow-ups with a medical professional are necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the medication and make any necessary adjustments.

All clinicians that offer this service are general or neurodevelopmental psychiatrists with expertise in ADHD.  They are therefore well equipped to approach your management in a broad and holistic manner, considering your general mental health. This allows them to support you with any challenges or alternative medications related to mental health which may exist in addition to your ADHD.

Psychological Therapy

Psychological therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can play a significant role in managing ADHD. Therapists who specialise in ADHD can work with individuals to develop tailored coping strategies, explore organisational tools, and help with managing stress. Learning how to reframe negative thought patterns and can also greatly enhance your ability to manage ADHD symptoms.

Therapy can help you develop practical strategies for difficulties often associated with ADHD such as time management, procrastination, regulating impulsivity and managing emotional responses. Other goals of therapy may include dealing with addictions, regulating mood swings, enhancing study skills, anger management, sleep issues, and adaptive habit formation. Therapy can also provide a space to address any underlying feelings of frustration or low self-esteem that can arise from living with ADHD.

We are also able to offer general psychological therapy with a neurodivergent angle for most mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar affective disorder among potential difficulties. We are also able to offer family or couple’s therapy, either as a one off or more regularly, in the context of your ADHD.

Some people choose to engage in therapy before starting medication in the hopes that the coping mechanisms learned may replace the need for any medication; in other cases, people start taking medication and seeing a psychologist at the same time to “maximise” what they can get out of their therapy. Treatment options are flexible and can be tailored to your needs and preferences at any point.

Self-help Resources

There are a number of recommended self-help resources available that can help you better understand ADHD and offer tools to manage it. Many apps have also been reported to be very helpful for task organisation and time management too. Mindfulness apps like Headspace or Calm can assist in reducing stress when tasks pile up and people get overwhelmed.

Click here to read our top 12 recommended resources for ADHD.

These resources can make it easier to stay on top of daily tasks and provide reminders for important deadlines, helping you feel more in control of your life.

Informing Workplaces and Places of Education

It can feel awkward to figure out how and when to inform employers or educational institutions about your ADHD diagnosis. Depending on your situation, it may be beneficial to disclose your diagnosis so that relevant accommodations can be made. For instance, an employer might offer flexible working hours, quieter workspaces, or assistive technologies, while a school might provide additional time for exams or assignments or better received methods of delivery for course content.

Under the government disability scheme known as Access to Work (AtWscheme). Patients can get support if they are (1) disabled (Equality Act 2010, includes ADHD) or have a health condition that impacts their ability to work, (2) aged 16 or over, and (3) live in Great Britain. They must be employed, self-employed, about to start employment, about to start work-experience or need help for a job interview. Patients diagnosed with ADHD may therefore be entitled to fully funded support such as coaching. Further details on the claim process can be found here. The ADHD Foundation has a good guide for employers about reasonable adjustments for ADHD in the workplace.

When disclosing your ADHD diagnosis, it is essential to focus on how your condition affects your work or academic performance and outline any accommodations or strategies that would help you succeed. Our clinicians are happy to provide letters for your university/workplace and you can ask for this by sending all the details through to patientservices@sloanecourtclinic.com. Your email should include any instructions from your university/workplace, any relevant timelines for the letter and which clinician you are with.

Overall, it is possible to be left feeling overwhelmed or unsure of next steps after an ADHD diagnosis when ongoing care is not offered by the assessor nor clear guidance given. At SCC, we offer robust ADHD assessments as well as continuation of care for those with a pre-existing diagnosis. Further treatment can involve any combination of medication, psychological therapy, recommending resources, and seeking necessary accommodations in educational and work environments depending on your individual needs.