ADHD and Psychotherapy

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and it occurs in both children and adults. People with ADHD often struggle with tasks such as organisation, staying focused on uninteresting activities, adhering to a schedule, and starting or completing mundane chores such as housework or admin.

Common Misconceptions About ADHD

ADHD is often viewed negatively or as a disability; even its name refers to a “Deficit” and a “Disorder.” However, some people with ADHD perceive it as simply having a different way of thinking, with its own unique strengths and characteristics.

For example, individuals with ADHD often exhibit qualities such as:

• Creativity

• High energy

• The ability to hyper-focus on topics of interest

• Performing well under pressure

• Quick thinking

• Curiosity

• The capacity to focus on many things at once

What Is the Difference Between ADHD and ADD?

ADD is an older term used for individuals who had difficulty focusing but did not display signs of hyperactivity. Today, this is referred to as the Inattentive Type of ADHD. The primary difference between ADD and ADHD is hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD is now the official term encompassing issues with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

ADHD is divided into three types:

• Inattentive (previously called ADD)

• Hyperactive-Impulsive (primarily hyperactivity and impulsiveness)

• Combined

Although ADD is no longer an official term, people still use it to describe ADHD without hyperactivity.

Who Can Diagnose ADHD?

At Auckland City Therapy, we are registered psychotherapists. This means we treat mental health conditions but do not provide formal diagnoses.

In New Zealand, only psychiatrists or clinical psychologists can diagnose ADHD.

Only a psychiatrist can initiate ADHD medication prescriptions. However, GPs can now provide repeat prescriptions for ADHD medications without requiring a follow-up with a psychiatrist. It’s important to note that GPs cannot provide an ADHD diagnosis.

Do I Need a Diagnosis for ADHD?

A formal diagnosis is required to access ADHD medications such as Ritalin. A diagnosis can also validate an individual’s struggles, providing legitimacy when explaining to employers or family members how ADHD affects the brain.

However, a diagnosis is not mandatory. At Auckland City Therapy, we regard ADHD as a personality style rather than a strict diagnosis. We view ADHD as a unique, neurodivergent way of experiencing the world with its own strengths and challenges. We believe what matters most is understanding yourself. When you gain insight into how your mind works, you will naturally make better decisions and function more effectively in the modern world.

Psychotherapy can help you understand how you function and how this might differ from others. By recognising your unique style you can navigate relationships more effectively, appreciating the differences between yourself and your partner or loved ones. This understanding fosters better communication, connection, and self-acceptance.

How ADHD Can Affect Relationships

ADHD can influence relationships in various ways. Traits such as scattered attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity may sometimes lead to challenges in understanding and connection. For example, individuals with ADHD might struggle to stay organised, remember commitments, or consistently complete tasks. They may also find it difficult to stay engaged in long-winded conversations when their attention is drawn to everything else happening around them. This can unintentionally create feelings of neglect or imbalance in romantic, family, or professional relationships.

Impulsive behaviours, such as interrupting during conversations or making quick, unplanned decisions, can lead to communication breakdowns or tension. While loved ones may feel frustrated or unsure of how to respond, the individual with ADHD might feel misunderstood or disheartened by the struggles that arise. Both parties can suffer as a result.

How Psychotherapy Can Help ADHD

Psychodynamic psychotherapy helps individuals understand how unconscious feelings and interactions influence their current emotions and behaviours.

Therapy can help individuals make sense of their experiences and understand how their reactions and behaviours are shaped by underlying emotions. People with ADHD have often endured a lifetime of criticism and misunderstanding, contributing to intense feelings in the present. By gaining a clearer understanding of their inner workings, individuals develop greater choice and control over their actions moving forward.

Additionally, therapy helps individuals improve their ability to articulate their experiences to others. This increased clarity can enable loved ones to understand that ADHD represents a different, rather than faulty, way of functioning.