Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a spectrum disorder – you can have these symptoms in ways that are mild, moderate or severe.

Each person with ADHD will experience symptoms differently.

Symptoms of ADHD can be put into three different categories:

  • Inattentiveness – having a very short attention span, being easily distracted, being unable to concentrate, have difficulty following instructions, finding it hard to really listen to people when they’re talking to you, difficulty with organisation or being unable to finish tasks;
  • Hyperactivity – being unable to sit still, feeling restless and fidgety, always being on the move, being very chatty and often interrupting other people;
  • Impulsiveness – being unable to wait your turn (e.g. in a game, queue, conversation), acting without thinking first, failure to think about consequences and little or no sense of danger (e.g. around traffic).

When to seek help

If you feel like these sorts of symptoms are starting to disrupt your everyday life or are affecting relationships, it may be time to get support.

Self referral

Unfortunately due to the complexity of this condition and or the need for supporting documentation from your GP it is not possible to do a self-referral for ADHD. Please see your GP who will be able to refer you.

ADHD can affect your mental health in ways such as an increase in anxiety. If you would like support with anxiety or another condition that we accept self referrals for, please go to the relevant health topic page where you will find further information on the condition, a link to self-refer and self-help resources.

Self referral

It is not possible to self refer for this condition.

Contact your GP (between 8am to 6pm) for a GP referral or if you require urgent help then you can refer yourself to the Central Access Point (CAP) on their 24-hour phone line on 0808 800 3302. Please note however that the CAP line is not an emergency service. Where there is an immediate, serious, and life-threatening emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.

If you do not require urgent or emergency help then please make an appointment to see your GP.  Please also read the advice on this page and the self help resources below.

Self help resources

We have put together a list of specialist organisations that may be able to offer you additional support.

View self help resources