ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Do you struggle to stay focused, pay attention to details, are easily distracted, and restless? Do you think before you speak, interrupt, blurt things out, or are impatient?  Whether personal or professional, something as simple as doing the dishes, may leave you feeling overwhelmed and paralysed to finish. 

Impulsivity, hyperactivity, inattention, and disorganization are some of the main types of ADHD. Some of the symptoms above can lead to overwhelm, task paralysis, and disruptions in daily functioning, affecting multiple areas of a person’s life (school, professional, and work).

They may also impact you in the following ways:

• • Time-management
  • Relationships
  • Social circle
  • Self-esteem
  • Overall sense of self-worth.

With the right support, you can develop tools and strategies to manage these emotions and complete daily tasks more effectively.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders are conditions that affect brain development and functioning. They can influence one’s cognition, ability to learn, develop new skills, emotional regulation, behaviour and so on. They are typically diagnosed in childhood, but many people are not diagnosed until later in life. Some common examples of neurodevelopmental disorders include Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Learning Disorders (LD) such as dyslexia, and intellectual disabilities. 

People experience different combinations of symptoms at varying intensities. Some individuals may excel in certain areas but struggle in others. These difficulties become a concern when they interfere with daily functioning and the completion of tasks. 

By learning about how your brain works and developing practical strategies, you can improve your functioning, build routines, and strengthen your emotional well-being.

Understanding ADHD and its symptoms

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the brain’s executive functioning. These are the mental skills that help us plan, organize, start tasks, maintain focus, manage time, and regulate impulses and emotions. It is characterized by persistent patterns of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. These symptoms stem from executive dysfunction, which are disruptions in how the brain regulates thoughts and processes.

Many people associate ADHD only with hyperactivity or difficulty paying attention, but it is far more complex. ADHD is commonly grouped into three types: predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. While some people struggle with distractibility and mental fog, others experience restlessness, impulsive decision-making, or difficulty controlling their energy.

If you tend to overlook details, have difficulty maintaining focus in conversations, or constantly feel overwhelmed or mentally foggy, you may be exhibiting symptoms of inattentiveness. This also includes forgetting deadlines or appointments and struggling to follow through on tasks.

Hyperactive symptoms may include:

• • Fidgeting
  • Tapping
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive talking
  • Cutting into conversations because of an urge to speak
  • Impulsivity (can show up as interrupting others, acting or speaking without thinking, or difficulty tolerating delays and waiting)

There may also be challenges related to emotional and executive functioning, such as difficulty starting or completing tasks, time blindness, irritability, shame, or sensitivity to rejection. While some individuals mainly experience inattention and others hyperactivity, most have a combination of both. These experiences are not intentional. They are often the result of how the ADHD brain processes information, manages stimulation, and responds to stress. Over time, untreated ADHD can impact confidence, communication, academic/work performance, and emotional and mental well-being.

Symptoms vary between people and present differently across the lifespan. In children, signs may appear more overt, like not sitting still in a classroom, being unfocused and distracted which reflects poorly on their studies. Whereas in adults they often show up covertly as disorganization, overwhelm, guilt or feeling “behind”. ADHD is frequently underdiagnosed in women, and symptoms in men may decrease in their late 20’s. Environmental factors like prenatal exposure to tobacco, alcohol etc. can also influence the onset and intensity of symptoms. Every brain is different, and most people show a unique mix of traits. 

Many adults discover ADHD later in life after years of feeling misunderstood or believing their struggles were personal failings rather than symptoms of a neurodevelopmental condition. With therapy, you can develop awareness of your unique patterns, and gain tools to stay organized and present. Therapeutic tools can help you begin to experience more stability, improved relationships, and increased productivity.

How Therapy can Help

Therapy can provide psychoeducational information to help you understand  and manage triggers, regulate emotions, and develop individualized strategies that fit the way your brain works. Together, you and your therapist can work on a personalised toolkit that includes executive functioning strategies including time management, behavioural strategies and routine building skills, cognitive and emotional support, as well as relationship and communication skills that include navigating conflict when emotions are high. Therapy can help you increase productivity and build a grounded and balanced life by helping you function in a way that honours your brain, your experiences, and your strengths. 

Your psychologist will help you develop awareness of your triggers, habits, and patterns, strengthen emotional regulation and impulse control as well as build tools for managing overwhelm, frustration, or shame. Therapy focuses not only on reducing symptoms but on improving quality of life. Many people with ADHD are creative, intuitive, driven, and resilient. With guidance, these strengths can shine through more easily. 

If ADHD or a neurodevelopmental condition is affecting your daily life, we’d be honoured to support you. Book a free consultation to explore how our Edmonton-based psychologists can help you build clarity, consistency, and confidence.

**It is important to note that at Pearl Psychological, our psychologists cannot provide an official diagnosis and do not complete formal assessments for ADHD. However, if you have been diagnosed elsewhere or believe you may have a neurodevelopmental condition, therapy can offer immense support.**