Core difficulties
- Controlling when and how long you can focus.
- Regulating energy and activity.
- Creating a pause between thought and action.
The ADHD guide
About ADHD – your guide to symptoms, diagnosis, and support
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain regulates attention, energy, and impulses. This guide gathers symptoms, causes, assessment, and treatment – plus how the right support makes everyday life easier.
What you’ll find in this guide
Written by Rikta Psychiatry’s specialist team for anyone who wants to understand ADHD in practice.
- Research translated into everyday decisions.
- Practical strategies for studies, work, and relationships.
- Guidance through assessment, treatment, and next steps.
Basics
What is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is not about willpower or intelligence – it is about how the brain prioritizes information and regulates energy. Challenges with focus, sense of time, and impulse control affect planning, finishing tasks, and recovery.
Descriptions similar to ADHD have existed since the 1700s. Today we know it is lifelong and can include hyperfocus, creativity, and persistence – but also overload when the environment demands something different from how the brain works.
When it shows up
When demands for structure rise (school, work, family) or when earlier strategies are no longer enough.
Prevalence
How common is ADHD?
ADHD exists across ages, genders, and groups. Numbers vary depending on access to assessment and how criteria are applied.
Globally
- Children & teens: 5–7%.
- Adults: 2–5% (many remain undiagnosed).
In Sweden
- High proportion of boys identified in school age.
- More women and adults receive diagnoses as awareness grows.
What rising numbers mean
Mainly better recognition and less stigma – not a biological increase.
Trends
Why are diagnoses increasing?
The change is driven by knowledge and access rather than “overdiagnosis.”
Better criteria
Adult diagnostics have improved and capture more profiles than before.
Less underdiagnosis
Especially for girls and women who previously masked symptoms.
More openness
Mental health is discussed more – more people seek help and assessment.
The challenge
Higher volumes require quality-assured diagnostics so each person gets the right support.
Symptoms
Core symptoms in ADHD
Everyone can relate sometimes – but in ADHD the difficulties are persistent and affect many areas of life.
Inattention
Focus drops with monotonous tasks, details are missed, instructions forgotten, yet hyperfocus on interests is common.
Hyperactivity
Children move and talk a lot; adults often feel inner restlessness and a need to be busy.
Impulsivity
Quick decisions, interrupting others, difficulty waiting or weighing consequences.
Executive function & time
Initiation, planning, and “time blindness” are common challenges.
Emotion regulation
Rapid mood shifts, sensitivity to stress or rejection.
Profiles
Types of ADHD (DSM-5)
Presentation can shift over time depending on age, demands, and strategies.
Predominantly inattentive
Previously called ADD. More mental fatigue, distraction, and things “slipping away.”
Hyperactive/impulsive
Shows as motor restlessness, impulsive communication, strong need for movement.
Combined
Most common in adults. Both attention and impulse control are affected.
Life span
ADHD at different ages
Symptoms change as demands change.
Children
Attention issues show when demands for sitting still increase. Can be misread as defiance or “bad parenting.”
Teens
More schoolwork and social cues raise the load; time management and organization become tougher.
Adults
Work, relationships, and family life demand planning and sustained focus; masking can be exhausting.
Masking
Masking and “flying under the radar”
Many learn to hide difficulties – working harder, rehearsing conversations, double-checking everything.
This can delay diagnosis and create burnout. A thorough assessment looks at both strengths and the cost of keeping up.
Common signs
- Over-preparing to avoid mistakes.
- Feeling “on stage” socially.
- Crashing with fatigue after masking.
Why it matters
Masking hides support needs. When demands rise, strategies can break – leading to stress or depression.
Common overlaps
Conditions that often co-occur
ADHD can come with other neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions.
Autism
Social communication differences and sensory sensitivities can overlap with ADHD challenges.
Anxiety or depression
Can arise from long-term stress, underperformance, or masking.
Sleep issues
Delayed sleep phase and restless nights are common and worsen focus.
Learning differences
Dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dyspraxia may need tailored strategies alongside ADHD support.
Women & ADHD
ADHD in women
Symptoms can look different – more inattention, mental overload, and emotion swings than overt hyperactivity.
Many women are diagnosed later after years of compensating. Hormonal shifts (cycle, pregnancy, menopause) can change symptom intensity.
Under-recognition
Quiet distraction or perfectionism can hide ADHD. Screening should include school history, masking, and burnout.
Care considerations
Medication and therapy plans may need to consider hormones, sleep, and co-occurring anxiety.
Causes
What causes ADHD?
ADHD is strongly genetic. Brain networks for attention and regulation develop differently. Environment can affect how symptoms show up, but does not “cause” ADHD.
Genetics
Runs in families; multiple genes involved.
Brain differences
Networks for reward, attention, and executive function activate differently and mature later.
Environment
Stress, sleep, and structure influence functioning and coping, but are not root causes.
Assessment
How an ADHD assessment works
A thorough assessment combines interviews, rating scales, and sometimes cognitive tests to map symptoms across life.
History & interviews
Childhood and current symptoms, school/work history, and strengths.
Rating scales
From you and sometimes relatives/teachers to cross-check symptoms in different settings.
Medical review
Rule out other causes and check for co-occurring conditions.
Feedback
Clear results, written report, and a plan for support or treatment.
Treatment
Treatment and support
Effective care often combines medication, practical strategies, coaching, and adjustments at work or school.
Medication
Stimulant or non-stimulant medication can improve attention and impulse control. Dosing is individualized and monitored.
Coaching & therapy
Helps with planning, procrastination, emotion regulation, and communication.
Accommodations
Clear priorities, visual plans, noise control, flexible deadlines, and supportive tech.
Lifestyle
Sleep, movement, and nutrition support energy and focus.
Next steps
When should you seek help?
If ADHD-like difficulties affect studies, work, relationships, or wellbeing, an assessment can clarify what is ADHD and what else might be involved.
Early support reduces stress and prevents secondary problems like anxiety or depression.
Typical signals
- Chronic procrastination and missed deadlines.
- Time blindness and disorganization despite effort.
- Emotional overload or frequent burnout.
How we help
Specialist assessment, medication management, and coaching tailored to your goals.
Get started
Ready to talk?
Describe your situation and we’ll match you with the right specialist, explain the process, and book times that suit you.