Adult Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Therapy for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Feeling held back by ADHD? You’re not alone.
At PULSE+, we offer supportive therapy tailored for adults with ADHD. Through individual sessions in a safe and understanding environment, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your condition, develop effective coping strategies, and unlock your full potential to lead a more fulfilling life.
James' Story
James* is in his 50s and works within his family’s real estate business. ADHD has affected multiple aspects of his life profoundly.
Often made impulsive land investments and poor business decisions
Started other businesses on his own but all his ventures went under
Tendency to spend all the available money he had
Forced into a more passive role in the business by his family where he no longer makes major decisions or has financial control
Employees and loved ones find him very disorganised and unfocused
Often late or forgetful of his appointments. Constantly fidgets and checks his phone during conversations with others
Addicted to watching Youtube videos and browsing social media on his phone, doing so even while driving
Recently started gambling with a group of friends and has gotten into serious debt
Often made impulsive land investments and poor business decisions
Started other businesses on his own but all his ventures went under
Tendency to spend all the available money he had
Forced into a more passive role in the business by his family where he no longer makes major decisions or has financial control
Employees and loved ones find him very disorganised and unfocused
Often late or forgetful of his appointments. Constantly fidgets and checks his phone during conversations with others
Addicted to watching Youtube videos and browsing social media on his phone, doing so even while driving
Recently started gambling with a group of friends and has gotten into serious debt
What is ADHD?
Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
While ADHD is a well-known condition among children, it can extend into adulthood. Many adults struggle with undiagnosed ADHD, as symptoms can be less noticeable than in childhood. It is estimated that 5% of adults worldwide have ADHD.
Signs & Symptoms
Untreated ADHD often leads to issues in relationships and work, as well as affecting quality of life.
Inattention
Struggles with concentrating on the task at hand, completing assignments, and frequently making careless mistakes
Hyperactivity
Difficulty keeping still, frequently fidgets and look restless
Impulsivity
May have problems with interrupting others or making hasty decisions without thinking through the consequences
Disorganisation
Difficulty with organising thoughts and communicating them coherently
Struggles with planning and prioritising tasks at work, leading to lowered efficiency
Differences between Men and Women
Men tend to display more externalising symptoms, while internalising symptoms are more common among women with adult ADHD. Nevertheless, exceptions to this do occur sometimes and it is common for both men and women to show a mixture of both characteristics.
Men
Externalising presentation
Women
Internalising presentation
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
- Disruptive behaviour
Presentation of Symptoms
- Inattention
- Daydreaming
- Forgetfulness
- disorganisation
- Emotional dysregulation
- Mood swing
- Risk-taking or thrill-seeking behaviours
Coping Mechanisms
- Perfectionism
- People-pleasing
- Conduct disorder (agression, theft, rule-breaking)
Common co-occurring mental conditions
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
Men
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
- Disruptive behaviour
Women
- Inattention
- Daydreaming
- Forgetfulness
- disorganisation
- emotional dysregulation
- Mood swings
Men
- Risk-taking or thrill-seeking behaviours
Women
- Perfectionism
- People-pleasing
Men
Conduct disorders, behaviours such as aggression, rule-breaking, lying and theft.
Women
Depression, anxiety, eating disorders
Causes of ADHD
As with most conditions, there is no single cause, but a complex combination of genetic, environmental and neurobiological causes. Imbalances in neurotransmitter systems such as norepinephrine and dopamine is a commonly documented cause.
How can Therapy Help with Bipolar Disorder?
Psychoeducation
“Knowing is half the battle”
The first step to effectively manage any condition is to understand it. Our psychologist can help you to:
- Learn more about the condition & treatment options
- Discover your triggers and unique challenges
- Develop coping strategies to better manage the condition and minimise its impact
Psychotherapy
Our psychologist can guide you to address the specific areas of life most impacted by the condition through various therapy techniques.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), for example, can help individuals challenge negative or unhelpful thought patterns and respond better to various situations.
Coping Strategies
Our psychologist can help can also help adults with ADHD to learn specific techniques to address their unique challenges and perform better in their occupation, including:
- Time management skills
- Improving efficiency
- Environmental modifications
- Cognitive strategies
Meet our Psychologist
Lead Clinical Psychologist
Dr Jaswyn Chin
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), James Cook University Singapore
Bachelors of Art in Psychology, Murdoch University Australia
Registered Psychologist with Singapore Psychological Society (SPS)
Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
Dr. Jaswyn is a registered clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience. She has extensive experience providing intervention for various a wide range of mental health issues from anxiety, depression, grief, insomnia, OCD, personality disorders, stress management to trauma.
Dr Jaswyn adopts a person-centred approach to therapy where she believes in working collaboratively with individuals through the process of recovery. She is also trained in multiple therapeutic modalities including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy (EMDR).
During her free time, Jaswyn enjoys music and plays the piano. She is also a keen learner of new languages and loves to travel.
Do you or someone you know have Adult ADHD?
Book a session with a PULSE+ psychologist to get the help you need.
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FAQ
A clinical psychologist usually has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s or Doctoral degree in clinical psychology. They would have received longer, more comprehensive training on psychological theories, mental health conditions, assessments, and therapeutic techniques. They are qualified to work with clients on a wider range of issues, from general life challenges, emotional problems, to mental health conditions.
A counsellor or therapist, on the other hand, usually holds either a bachelor’s degree in counselling or psychology and/or a postgraduate diploma or master’s degree in counselling, which usually focus on general counselling or therapy skills. A counsellor or therapist typically helps clients on general life problems and challenges, such as stress, family or relationship issues. They may not have the resources or capacity to handle mental health cases such as clinical depression, anxiety or other diagnosed psychological conditions.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed medical school with further specialised training in psychiatry. In practice, they focus on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions through prescribing psychotropic medications (e.g. antidepressants, anxiety medications). A psychologist, on the other hand, aims to help clients improve through therapeutic interventions. They focus on psychoeducation as well as changing the way clients respond (think and behave) to improve their conditions.
Psychiatrist consultations are usually much briefer than therapy sessions, typically ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. The session usually focuses on keeping track of the patient’s symptoms and responses to medication, and in adjusting the prescription. Some psychiatrists; although less common; may also provide psychological interventions.
It is common for clients with mental health conditions to see a psychiatrist to help alleviate some of their symptoms through medication, and also work with a psychologist to make longer-term changes that will help them recover from their conditions. Our psychologist would refer a client to also see a psychiatrist whenever it is deemed necessary.
There isn’t anything specific required from you. Our psychologist would guide you through the session by asking questions to get the information needed. Simply show up on time or slightly early on the appointment day to fill out the necessary forms.
The therapy sessions at PULSE is up to 60 minutes. When needed, there is also the option to extend the therapy time (charges apply).
This varies widely among clients and usually depends on many factors, including the severity of their conditions, or complications of their presenting issues, motivation towards the therapy work, and more. Some clients may resolve their issues within a few sessions, while others may need long-term support. As a general guide, four to eight sessions are more common.
PULSE+ Allied Health clinic is located at Camden Medical Centre, by Orchard Boulevard MRT.
Simply fill out our Appointment form below and we will get back to you to confirm the appointment.
Please visit our Charges page for our rates.
If you have further questions, you may SMS or whatsapp us at 9831 9912 or email us at psychologist@pulseallied.health.
Have more questions?
Visit our AskPULSE portal to ask our PULSE+ Allied Health specialists or PULSE TCM Physicians any questions about your health or our services.