Condition
Adult ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterised by a pattern of behaviour affecting the individual across multiple settings — school, home, and work — and can result in performance issues socially, educationally, and professionally. Symptoms divide into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
ADHD symptoms are treatable. The first step is seeking help.
Your path at IASO
How we treat adult ADHD at IASO
- 1
We listen
Your history and symptoms, heard in full.
- 2
Consultation
A thorough clinical consultation and neuropsychological assessment.
- 3
Your plan
A treatment plan agreed together, built around you.
- 4
Treatment
Psychotherapy, medication, or both. Nothing without a clear reason.
- 5
Follow-up
Reviewed and adjusted as you progress.
Treatment begins with a thorough psychiatric consultation to understand the full picture, your development history, your reported symptoms from childhood through to adulthood, and what you actually need.
Care may include screening and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Everything is discussed openly, and all treatment options are explored together to reach a mutually agreed treatment plan.
Watch
How an ADHD assessment works
Dr Ioannis Delipalas, Consultant Psychiatrist, and Ezgi Firat, Psychologist & Psychotherapist, explain the three steps, and why the first one is a psychiatric consultation.
ADHD Assessment in Dubai: How the Three Steps Work
Step 1, a psychiatric consultation to rule other conditions in or out. Step 2, evidence-based screening from childhood to adulthood. Step 3, if screening is positive, a neuropsychological assessment with an experienced psychologist.
Read the transcript
It's very important when someone refers himself or herself for an ADHD assessment that a psychiatric consultation will be held upon in order to discuss possible comorbidities.
The second step is a screening. Screening is an evidence-based methodology using evidence-based psychological tools in order to check possible ADHD symptomatology, starting from childhood and extending all the way to adulthood.
If the ADHD screening is positive, then the third step should be meeting with a psychologist who has the experience and expertise into conducting an ADHD assessment.
ADHD is a complex condition that can affect many of the ways our brain manages and regulates itself. Therefore, as part of the diagnostic process, neuropsychological assessment is quite necessary. But it shouldn't only look at attention. It should consider memory and other cognitive functions as well. This matters because attention is closely connected with other cognitive functions.
ADHD or Anxiety? Why the Assessment Starts with a Psychiatrist
Difficulty focusing, restlessness and trouble finishing tasks show up in ADHD, and in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and addiction too. That is why other conditions are ruled in or out first.
Read the transcript
The symptoms of ADHD, like attention deficit, hyperactivity, difficulty in focusing and executing tasks, can resemble symptoms in other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addiction.
It's very important that when we are starting investigating ADHD diagnosis, at first we rule in and rule out any possible psychiatric comorbidities.
How common is it
According to the DSM-5, ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions. We see it in Dubai at roughly the same rate as the rest of the world.
Global prevalence in children and adolescents is around 5-7%, and around 50% of diagnosed cases persist into adulthood. Symptoms typically start to appear between the ages of 3 and 6, with an average age of diagnosis of 7. ADHD is twice as common in boys as in girls (ratio 2:1), but is often overlooked in girls because they may be more withdrawn and inattentive rather than hyperactive and impulsive.
Three presentations
Predominantly Inattentive (ADHD-I)
People who are easily distracted, have difficulty paying attention, but are not hyperactive or impulsive. This was previously called ADD. Children must have at least 6 inattentive symptoms; adults need at least 5. Common signs: failing to pay close attention to details, making careless mistakes, difficulty sustaining attention, not listening when spoken to, struggling to organise tasks, avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort, losing things frequently, being easily distracted, and forgetfulness in daily activities.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive (ADHD-HI)
Fidgeting, difficulty remaining seated, excessive talking or interrupting, acting without thinking. Less common as a stand-alone presentation in adults.
Combined (ADHD-C)
Both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are present, the most common presentation.