ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference in how attention, impulse and activity are regulated. It is not a matter of effort or discipline, and it is not caused by parenting.
Important: I do not carry out ADHD assessment or diagnosis, and I cannot prescribe medication. Diagnosis is made by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist qualified to assess it. What I can help with is the stress, low confidence, family friction and school difficulty that often surround attention problems — whether or not there is a diagnosis.
What it can look like
- Difficulty sustaining attention on things that are not immediately interesting, alongside intense focus on things that are
- Starting many tasks and finishing few
- Losing track of belongings, appointments and instructions
- Restlessness, or difficulty staying seated when expected to
- Acting or speaking before thinking it through
- In adults, this often shows as chronic lateness, disorganisation and self-criticism built up over years
What tends to help
- External structure. Lists, alarms and visible calendars are not crutches. Moving organisation out of the head and into the environment is the strategy.
- Shorter blocks. Working in defined short stretches with breaks fits how attention actually behaves.
- Reducing friction. Making the wanted thing easier to start and the distraction harder to reach does more than resolve.
- Separating the person from the pattern. Years of being called careless or lazy leave a mark that is worth addressing directly.
- Proper assessment. If ADHD is suspected, a formal assessment opens the door to support and, where appropriate, medication.
When to seek support
If attention difficulties are consistently affecting school, work or relationships, ask a doctor for a referral to someone qualified to assess ADHD.
Not sure where to start?
If you are unsure whether counselling is the right kind of help, you are welcome to ask. If something else would suit you better, I will say so.
If you need urgent help Counselling is not an emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services, or call Tele-MANAS, the Government of India mental health helpline, on 14416 (available 24 hours).