News

On a recent evening at Green Towers Community Centre in Edmonton Green, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr Ramya Srinivasan, a Welcomed Trust Clinical Fellow and Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at UCL Division of Psychiatry. Dr Srinivasan shared her expertise on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The event was attended by a diverse group, including parents of children with ADHD, individuals who had recently been diagnosed, and others with a general interest in the topic. Dr Srinivasan covered several key areas, including the importance of understanding ADHD, its symptoms, and the challenges of diagnosis and management. Here are the highlights from her presentation:

What is ADHD?
Dr Srinivasan began by explaining that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. However, she stressed that ADHD does not simply mean difficulty paying attention or being overly active. It encompasses a range of symptoms that can have a significant impact on various aspects of life, including health, education, employment. Dr Srinivasan noted that ADHD is quite common, affecting about 5% of children and 2-4% of adults, though it often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated in the UK.

Why ADHD Matters
ADHD is not just about behavioural challenges—it can have lifelong effects if left unaddressed. In children, it can interfere with academic performance, while in adults, it may affect career success, relationships, and overall quality of life. Financially, ADHD costs the UK economy millions in lost productivity and healthcare resources, making it crucial to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of ADHD
Dr Srinivasan outlined the key symptoms of ADHD, which can manifest differently depending on age and gender:
•    Inattention Symptoms: These include difficulty sustaining attention, making careless mistakes, not completing tasks, easily being distracted (even by one’s own thoughts), forgetfulness, and poor organisation. Children may seem daydreamy or not listen during conversations.
•    Hyperactivity Symptoms: This involves excessive physical activity, difficulty staying quiet, and talking too much.
•    Impulsivity Symptoms: Individuals with ADHD may interrupt others, struggle with waiting their turn, and act without considering the consequences.

ADHD Across the Lifespan
Dr Srinivasan explained that while ADHD symptoms tend to reduce as people grow older, they don’t necessarily disappear. Two-thirds of children with ADHD continue to experience some symptoms as adults, and ADHD remains fairly common in adulthood. For many, the symptoms may appear to fluctuate or adapt as life circumstances change, but the underlying condition persists.

Diagnosis and Assessment
Diagnosing ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a mental health professional with specific expertise in the disorder. The process usually involves an exploratory interview covering both mental health and neurodevelopmental aspects, alongside triangulation of information from family members, teachers, or other caregivers. Dr Srinivasan emphasised the importance of seeking a clinician with substantial experience and training in ADHD to ensure accurate diagnosis.

Management of ADHD
Effective management of ADHD involves a combination of approaches:
•    Psychoeducation: Helping individuals and families understand the condition is an essential first step.
•    Environmental Modifications: Adjustments in the home or school environment can support better focus and organisation.
•    Psychological Interventions: These include structured skills training, therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and parenting programmes for children under 12.
•    Medication: Dr Srinivasan highlighted that medication can be highly effective in improving long-term outcomes for those with ADHD. However, it is not a universal solution—medication should be prescribed carefully and monitored, as it can have side effects. 

Addressing Misconceptions
During the talk, Dr Srinivasan also dispelled several common myths about ADHD. Contrary to popular belief, ADHD is not caused by poor parenting, nor is it always a "problem" that needs to be fixed. Additionally, while some believe ADHD is overdiagnosed, the reality is that many cases remain undiagnosed, especially in adults and in certain demographics.

Join Us
If you found Dr Srinivasan’s talk insightful and want to learn more about ADHD or become more involved in our community, consider signing up to become a member. Members gain access to ongoing events, resources, and support. To learn more about becoming a member, please visit our membership page.
The evening was a valuable opportunity for the local community to deepen their understanding of ADHD and take away practical advice for better managing the condition. We look forward to hosting more such informative events in the future[0!