🌍 What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

👉 It is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means:

It affects how the brain develops
It impacts attention, behaviour, and emotions

🧠 Core Features of ADHD

💭 Inattention

Difficulty focusing
Easily distracted
Forgetting things
Losing items
Poor organisation

⚡ Hyperactivity & Impulsivity

Restlessness
Talking a lot
Interrupting others
Acting without thinking

🧩 Executive Function Difficulties

Planning tasks
Managing time ⏱️
Prioritising
Completing tasks

🧠 ADHD & Mental Health

⚠️ Key Fact

👉 Around 80% of people with ADHD may experience another mental health condition

💙 Common Mental Health Challenges

😰 Anxiety

Social anxiety
Constant worry
Fear of failure

😔 Depression

Low mood
Loss of motivation
Feeling overwhelmed

⚡ Emotional Dysregulation

Strong emotional reactions
Mood swings
Low frustration tolerance

🔥 Burnout & Chronic Stress

Mental exhaustion
Feeling drained
Difficulty coping

💔 Low Self-Esteem

Feeling “not good enough”
Comparing to others
Negative self-image

🎭 Masking

Hiding symptoms
Trying to appear “typical”

👉 Can lead to:

Stress
Exhaustion
Anxiety

😴 Sleep Problems

Difficulty falling asleep
Poor sleep quality
Irregular sleep patterns

🚨 Why Mental Health Risks Are Higher

🧠 Internal Factors

Brain regulation differences
Emotional control difficulties
Executive functioning challenges

🌍 External Factors

Academic struggles 📚
Social difficulties 👥
Misunderstanding by others
High expectations
Repeated failure experiences

📊 Impact on Daily Life

ADHD can affect:

School or work performance
Relationships
Organisation
Emotional wellbeing

🛠️ Treatment & Support

🗣️ Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Helps manage thoughts and behaviour
Improves organisation
Supports anxiety and depression

💊 Medication

Stimulant medication
Non-stimulant medication

👉 Helps improve focus and reduce symptoms

📋 Behavioural Support

Routines
Time management tools
Task breakdown (small steps)

🤝 Support Systems

Family support
School/work accommodations
Coaching or mentoring

🌟 Strengths of ADHD

People with ADHD may have:

Creativity 🎨
High energy ⚡
Problem-solving skills
Passion for interests 🎯
Thinking outside the box 💡

💡 Key Message

👉 ADHD is not a weakness
👉 It is a different way the brain works

👉 Mental health support is important

👉 With support:

Confidence grows
Stress reduces
Success is possible 🌟

📘 EASY READ VERSION

🧠 What is ADHD?

A brain difference
Affects focus and behaviour

😰 Feelings

You may feel:

Worried
Stressed
Tired

⚠️ Difficulties

Focusing
Sitting still
Managing time

🤝 Support Helps

Routines
Break tasks down
Talk to someone

🌟 Message

👉 You are capable

📊 POWERPOINT SLIDES

Slide 1 – ADHD
Slide 2 – What is ADHD?
Slide 3 – Symptoms
Slide 4 – Inattention
Slide 5 – Hyperactivity
Slide 6 – Executive function
Slide 7 – Mental health link
Slide 8 – Anxiety & depression
Slide 9 – Emotional dysregulation
Slide 10 – Burnout
Slide 11 – Support strategies
Slide 12 – Strengths
Slide 13 – Key message

🎭 ACTIVITIES

🧩 Activity 1 – Focus

What helps you concentrate?
Write or draw

🗣️ Activity 2 – Organisation

Break a task into steps

🎭 Activity 3 – Role Play

Practice:

Asking for help
Explaining ADHD

🧠 Activity 4 – Scenario

👉 A student forgets homework and feels stressed

Questions:

What is happening?
What support would help?

📝 QUIZ

1. ADHD stands for:
A. Attention Difficulty
B. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ✅

2. One mental health challenge is:
A. Anxiety ✅
B. Broken bone

3. Executive function means:
A. Running fast
B. Planning and organising ✅

True or False

ADHD is a mental illness → ❌ False
Support helps → ✔ True

🧾 ASSESSMENT SHEET

Name: __________
Date: __________

🧠 Knowledge

☐ Understands ADHD
☐ Understands mental health link

🤝 Skills

☐ Can identify support strategies
☐ Can explain ADHD

❤️ Attitude

☐ Respectful
☐ Supportive

🌟 FINAL MESSAGE

👉 ADHD affects focus, behaviour, and emotions

👉 Mental health challenges are common—but manageable

👉 With the right support:

People succeed
Confidence grows
Wellbeing improves 🌟

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

🧠 ADHD & Mental Health (Full Guide)