Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Understanding ADHD

People with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulties with attention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. They have usually experienced these difficulties since childhood although they may only be diagnosed as adults.

ADHD and ADD symptoms

ADHD symptoms include:

  • Struggling with attention to details
  • Difficulties completing school or work tasks
  • Disorganisation
  • Being fidgety, restless or hyperactive
  • Talking excessively
  • Impatience
  • Impulsivity

This condition can cause problems with:

  • Impulse control
  • Emotional regulation
  • Anger management
  • Substance misuse
  • Eating problems
  • Sleep disorders

ADD/ADHD can also impact a person’s education, work, daily activities, relationships and quality of life.

ADHD or ADD is thought to be present in about 4-5% of the adult population and is generally under-recognised in women.

You have a greater probability of having ADHD if:

  • A close family member has being diagnosed with ADHD
  • You have epilepsy
  • You have a neurodevelopmental disorder e.g. autism, tic disorder, a learning disability/difficulties
  • You have another mental health condition
  • You have a history of substance misuse or eating disorders

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ADHD assessments

With the right treatment, people with ADHD can improve considerably and achieve their real potential.

 

If you experience the symptoms above, it would be helpful to explore an ADHD/ADD assessment. Head to our neurodevelopmental assessments page for more details.

Frequently asked questions

If you’re noticing that you are struggling with your attention and ability to focus this can be a good time to seek support. If you don’t have a diagnosis yet, you will first need a specialist assessment to confirm that you have ADHD. If you already have your diagnosis, we will be able to explore the different treatment options with you.
ADHD is usually treated with medication so you will need to see a specialist who will talk you through the different options and prescribe you with the right medication. In addition, we can offer Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which will teach you skills to manage your symptoms.
Please see our neurodevelopmental assessments page for more details.

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Dr Elena Touroni

Dr Elena Touroni is a skilled and experienced consultant psychologist with a track record of delivering high-quality services for individuals with all common emotional difficulties and those with a diagnosis of personality disorder. She is experienced in service design and delivery, the management of multi-disciplinary teams, organisational consultancy, and development and delivery of both national and bespoke training to providers in the statutory and non-statutory sector.

Having obtained a first degree in Psychology (BSc) at the American College of Greece, she completed her doctoral training at the University of Surrey. Dr Touroni is highly experienced in the assessment and treatment of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, personality disorder, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, adjustment disorder and relationship difficulties. She works with both individuals and couples and can offer therapy in English and Greek.

She is trained in several specialist therapeutic approaches such as Schema Therapy for individuals and couples, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based approaches and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT).

Dr Touroni has held a variety of clinical and managerial positions including as Head of Service in the NHS. Further she has held academic positions for the University of Surrey and the Institute of Mental Health lecturing on specialist postgraduate Masters and Doctorate programmes. As well as holding a variety of NHS positions, Dr Touroni is the co-founder of a private practice in Central London that has been a provider of psychological therapy for all common emotional difficulties including personality disorder since 2002.

Dr Touroni has a keen interest in developing preventative approaches for psychological well-being and has been involved in the co-creation of bespoke wellness retreats for transformative change for the past 5 years. She is the founder and one of two directors of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic.