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To understand what ADHD can feel like, let's try this exercise.

1. Begin counting backwards from 30 out loud.

2. As you count, try not to lose your pace- I'll be interrupting!

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Explore how ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects a person's life from a biopsychosocial lens.

Biopsychosocial- an approach of treating health conditions by examining how biological, psychological, and social factors can play a part an individual health.

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Name: WS

19 Year Old, Female African American college student who has been diagnosed with ADHD since 5th grade

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Reflection Question: How did that feel was it frustrating, funny or distracting?

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Reflection Question: How did that feel was it frustrating, funny or distracting?

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Medical History: Diagnosed w/ ADHD at 11 years old, deals with Depression as well

Genetics: Mom has history of Depression, Grandpa has Bipolar Disorder

Current Health Problems: Sleep difficulties and restlessness

Medications: Prescribed Adderall - stimulant to improve focus; causes loss of appetite and ticks

Bupropion- used to treat major depressive disorder or seasonal; take as needed; causes headaches

Lifestyle Habits: Inconsistent sleep- stays up late which affects symptoms, healthy diet with nutritional foods helps focus and hyperactivity.

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Mental Health: School triggers depression and stress.

Coping Strategies: Goes out with friends and consistently engages in hobbies.

Stress Levels: Low to moderate stress levels regularly. High when engaging in school actives.

Personality Traits: Creative, Funny, Positive, Submissive (regarding conflict), and flexible

Resilience: Procrastinates when faced with difficult challenges, working to strengthen self-motivation

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Family Support: Supportive and good relationship with parents who understand mental health challenges.

Cultural Influences: Some stigma exist around mental disorders that aren't depression and anxiety.

Education: Full-time college student

Community Resources: Currently in therapy and has a psychiatrist

Socioeconomic Status: Upper middle class

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Willing to reach out for support from therapist and family.

Notices when emotions are low or high, working on better management.

Able to communicate and interact with others, allowing for social stimulation.

Good self esteem, overall positive outlook on life.

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Personal safety plan when depression gets overwhelming, better coping skills

Improve emotional management skills and understanding of problems affected them.

Improvement in communication skills when it comes to interpersonal relationships.

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Biological -> Psychological: inconsistent sleep schedule affects focus and increases stress which leads to feelings of depression.

Psychological -> Social: Feelings of depression causes isolation from peers which then leads to difficulty maintaining relationships. School performance is affected as well.

Social-> Biological/Psychological: Supportive friends, family, mentor/therapist improve mental well-being, attentiveness, and self discipline/ motivation.

"The role of psychosocial factors in perpetuating towards the development of ADHD symptoms has been neglected within the field of child mental health. Clinicians, when told that a child had a diagnosis of ADHD, have been found to underestimate the presence of psychosocial factors, and are less likely to ask about the possibility of neglect or abuse."

Richards L. M. (2013). It is time for a more integrated bio-psycho-social approach to ADHD. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 18(4), 483–503. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104512458228

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"ADHD, as a clinical and behavioral entity may be considered to be approached from the biopsychosocial approach, since it is recognized that the basic neurobiological disorder is equally determined and influenced by other multiple external and environmental factors that can not only lead to a series of clinical symptoms but also to important implications from performance in daily, functional and social activities"

There needs to be a more integrated biopsychosocial approach to ADHD, as all these factors are connected. This will lead to an better understanding on how it can affect patients/clients lives and the ability to create treatment plans that are comprehensive and personalized. Which addresses all the factors patients may be dealing with.

Salamanca, L. (2014) Biopsychosocial perspective of ADHD. Open Journal of Epidemiology, 4, 1-6. doi: 10.4236/ojepi.2014.41001.

Reflection Question: What's barriers do people with ADHD face in accessing effective healthcare, and what changes could we make in our future practice to reduce those barriers?