Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Introduction to TYHO

Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO) is an online therapy platform connecting individuals with vetted Therapists and Psychologists registered with SAC, SPS, and APACS. Our Therapists include professionals experienced with ADHD assessment, diagnosis support, and ongoing therapy. Sessions are available online and in-person, starting from S$130.80 (incl. GST). Reach us on WhatsApp at +65 9831 0005 or at [email protected].

What is ADHD?

If you’ve been wondering whether you or someone you care about might have ADHD, you’re not alone. Many people in Singapore live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder without realising it — and understanding what ADHD actually looks like is the first step towards getting the right support.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition involving inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The symptoms show up differently in everyone, but what remains common is how they can affect daily life, work, relationships, and mental health.

This page covers what ADHD is, its symptoms in children and adults, causes, types, how it’s diagnosed, and how therapy can help.

Research shows that ADHD does not have a single cause. A combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors can contribute to its development.

On the one hand, in children, ADHD symptoms could look like struggling with coursework or having meltdowns in a classroom. On the other hand, adults with ADHD may struggle with organising their day, staying on top of tasks, managing emotions, or maintaining relationships.

Many have misconceptions about ADHD’s meaning and what it could truly look like in a person.  

Hence, we have expanded on ADHD symptoms, ADHD diagnosis, types, ADHD in adults, and how professional therapy and self-care tools might help.  

ADHD Symptoms

ADHD Symptoms in Adults

ADHD in adults is complex and often looks different from ADHD in children. It generally presents as observable traits or hidden behaviours.  

Adults with ADHD may struggle with one or more of the following symptoms:

• Disorganisation: Difficulty keeping track of tasks, appointments, and responsibilities. An adult with ADHD might frequently lose their keys, forget to reply to important messages, or feel like their to-do list is always spiralling out of control.
• Relationship issues: Impulsivity and inattention can strain relationships. A partner with ADHD might forget significant dates, interrupt conversations, or struggle to follow through on commitments. This is not because they don’t care, but because their brain works differently.
• Restlessness: Unlike the visible hyperactivity seen in children, adults with ADHD often experience an internal restlessness. It can feel like their mind is always racing, even when their body is still.
• Hyperfocus: While ADHD is often associated with difficulty concentrating, many adults experience the opposite in certain situations. Hyperfocus is an intense concentration on something that they find interesting, sometimes to the point of losing track of time and neglecting other responsibilities.
• Forgetfulness: Forgetting daily tasks, missing deadlines, or repeatedly losing belongings. This goes beyond occasional absent-mindedness and can significantly affect work and personal life.
• Impulsivity: Making decisions without thinking them through, spending impulsively, or saying things thet later regret. In adults, impulsivity can also manifest as difficulty waiting in queues or frequently changing jobs or plans.

All of these symptoms can exist together, or only one or two may be present. Most are also interlinked. For example, forgetfulness and disorganisation often feed into each other, creating a cycle that can feel overwhelming without the right support.

Another example is that remembering dates can be quite a struggle for those with ADHD. Even if they succeed in remembering the date, the person may become impulsive and throw the most expensive party for their partner. Without the right communication, these grand gestures, especially at the last minute, may cause relationship conflicts and negative emotions. 

ADHD Symptoms in Children

As we saw in the previous section, the type and intensity of symptoms can be unique to the individual.  

Some children may have signs of inattention, while others tend to struggle with hyperactivity and impulsivity. All three symptoms can also occur together.  

ADHD symptoms are used to classify the diagnostic criteria. Hence, a child psychologist may look for for several types of signs to provide an ADHD diagnosis.

The two most common and easily identifiable symptoms in children are:

1. Inattention
2. Hyperactivity-impulsivity 

1. Inattention

Symptoms of inattention in children could be:

• Overlooking details: Children may struggle with paying attention to minor details. This could lead to making mistakes in schoolwork and other activities.
• Lack of attention: As children with ADHD have inattention, they may struggle with reading, listening to teachers, or having a conversation.
• Struggle with instructions: Apart from starting tasks, children find it difficult to follow instructions and often digress from the original task.
• Lack of organisation skills: Children with ADHD struggle to organise tasks sequentially, and meeting deadlines can become overwhelming.
• Avoiding tasks: Children may avoid tasks that require a lot of mental energy. These could include activities such as report writing, reading, and mathematics.
• Losing essentials: Due to inattention, children may often lose things such as books, toothbrushes, or eyeglasses.
• Distractions: External stimuli or irrelevant thoughts (irrelevant to the present context) may deflect their attention.
• Forgetfulness: Children with ADHD tend to forget daily tasks such as texting back a friend or finishing an important homework assignment.

2. Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

Some of the common symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity are:

• Fidgeting and restlessness: Children may often fidget, squirm, or feel restless when seated. They may seem restless during other activities, such as waiting in a line or during an exam.
• Excessive movement: Children may move excessively, either by running, jumping, or climbing windows or walls.
• Playing loudly: Children with ADHD may use loud voices or sounds while playing, as they are often hyperactive and unaware of internal or external stimuli.
• Talking excessively: Children may talk continuously without stopping for a break. This could occur in school settings while a teacher is taking a lesson or during a conversation with their loved ones.
• Impatience: Children with this type find it hard to wait for their turn (ie in a cue or a crowd) or struggle to wait for their turn to communicate.
• Intrusiveness: They may interrupt others frequently during family discussions or school meetings.

ADHD in Women and Girls

ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in boys and men, but this doesn’t mean it’s less common in girls and women; it’s often less visible. Girls and women with ADHD tend to present with the inattentive type: difficulty concentrating, daydreaming, and struggling with organisation, rather than the hyperactive behaviours that are more noticeable in a classroom or workplace.

Because inattentive symptoms are quieter, ADHD in women is frequently missed or misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression. Many women are not diagnosed until adulthood, often after years of feeling like something was ‘off’ without understanding why. 

If this sounds familiar, speaking with a Therapist who understands how ADHD presents in women can be a helpful first step.

Executive Dysfunction in ADHD

Executive functions refer to mental skills we use to learn, work and manage daily life.

Dysfunction in these areas is highly prevalent in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and hinders people’s capacity to organise their thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Key Executive Functions

Executive dysfunction is one of the most common challenges for people with ADHD. Executive functions are the mental skills we rely on to plan, organise, and manage daily life. When these functions are disrupted, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming.
The key executive functions affected by ADHD include:

• Working memory: The ability to hold information in mind while using it. For example, remembering what someone just said to you while forming a response.
• Inhibition control: The ability to pause before acting. People with ADHD may find it harder to stop themselves from reacting impulsively or to filter out distractions.
• Planning and organisation: The ability to break tasks into steps, prioritise them, and follow through. This is why many adults with ADHD struggle with time management and meeting deadlines.

It’s common for people to mistake executive dysfunction for laziness. But difficulty starting or completing tasks is not a matter of willpower. Rather, it’s a feature of how the ADHD brain processes information

Do I have ADHD?

If you’re reading this page because you suspect you might have ADHD, you’re not alone. Many adults start to recognise ADHD symptoms in themselves after learning what the condition actually looks like, especially the inattentive type, which is often missed in childhood.

While no online checklist can replace a professional assessment, the following questions can help you reflect on whether your experiences might be consistent with ADHD. If several of these resonate, it may be worth speaking with a Therapist or psychologist:

• Do you frequently lose track of time, miss deadlines, or forget appointments?
• Do you find it hard to start tasks, even ones you know are important?
• Do you often feel restless or like your mind is always racing?
• Do you struggle to follow conversations or zone out when someone is talking to you?
• Do you tend to act impulsively eg spending, speaking, or making decisions without thinking them through?
• Have these patterns been present since childhood, not just during stressful periods?
• Do they affect more than one area of your life (eg work, relationships, daily routines)?

If several of these feel familiar, speaking with a professional can help clarify what’s going on. A TYHO Therapist can talk through your experiences and guide you on whether a formal assessment is a good next step.

ADHD Causes and Risk Factors

ADHD Causes

Current research points to a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Indeed, there have been many published studies confirming that ADHD is highly heritable, and the gene-environment interplay is increasingly being recognised.

Some factors that could cause ADHD include:

• Having parents who have ADHD
• Brain anatomy and function (ie neurodiversity)
• Major brain injury  
• Alcohol or tobacco use during pregnancy  

Some common misconceptions are that ADHD may be caused by poor parenting, excessive screen time, or eating too much sugar. Research does not support these claims. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a behavioural choice.

ADHD Risk Factors

As we saw in the above section, several factors could worsen the condition.

Other potential risk factors include:

• Strong exposure to lead
• Premature birth
• Substance use during pregnancy
• Low birth weight
• Cultural and societal upbringing
• Diet and nutrition

Types of ADHD

ADHD can manifest in many ways.  

Psychologists may categorise an assessment based on the predominant symptoms to provide ADHD diagnosis.  

The four main categories are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, combined, and unspecified ADHD.  

1) Predominantly Inattentive

This presentation was previously known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD). 

Inattentiveness is characterised primarily by difficulty sustaining attention, following through on tasks, and staying organised, without the hyperactive or impulsive behaviours typically associated with ADHD.

If inattentiveness is predominant in an individual, the person may struggle with focus, organisation, and completing tasks on time (eg procrastinating).  

2) Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive

As the name suggests, a person with this primary symptom is restless, has excess energy, and is impulsive.  

Symptoms of impulsivity could manifest as rash driving, interrupting important conversations, or making major decisions without much thought about the consequences

3) Combined

The combined category includes symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactive impulsiveness.  

For an ADHD diagnosis with the combined type, a person usually has six symptoms from each category.  

Both inattentiveness and hyperactivity-impulsivity are equally evident. It is the most common type of ADHD, accounting for approximately 70% of diagnoses.

4) Unspecified ADHD

Some people may struggle with the symptoms of ADHD. However, since one specific type is not prevalent, they usually do not fall into any of the three categories listed above.  

In those cases, the person may receive a diagnosis of unspecified ADHD. 

ADHD Diagnosis

ADHD affects approximately 5–8% of children and 2–7% of adults in Singapore. Many adults in Singapore, especially women, live with undiagnosed ADHD for years, often attributing their difficulties to personality traits or personal failings rather than a neurodevelopmental condition.

With increasing awareness around ADHD (especially fuelled about related content on social media platforms such as TikTok), reportedly, many people wrongly self-diagnose themselves as having ADHD if they experience relatable traits such as forgetfulness or trouble paying attention. Hence, regardless of diagnosis, if someone is experiencing struggles around focus, motivation and impulsivity, it is worth seeing a Therapist to manage such difficulties with evidence-backed approaches. 

How ADHD is diagnosed

According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of ADHD requires at least 6 symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity (or 5 for adults aged 17 and older) that have been present for at least 6 months. The symptoms must cause difficulties in at least two settings - for example, at home and at work, or at school and in social situations - and must not be better explained by another condition.

There is no single test for ADHD. Diagnosis is typically made by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist through a comprehensive assessment that includes a detailed history, symptom questionnaires, and sometimes input from family members or teachers.

Where to get assessed in Singapore

If you suspect you have ADHD, you may benefit from a formal diagnosis. Psychologists at TYHO can provide you with a private assessment and diagnosis.  

Alternatively, you can get a referral through a polyclinic to a public hospital such as the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) or the National University Hospital (NUH). IMH’s community mental health team REACH (Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Health) can also support families seeking assessment for children. 

Subsidised assessments at public hospitals can start from around S$150-800 for Singapore permanent residents and citizens. Private comprehensive assessments typically range from S$1,800, depending on the clinic and the depth of the evaluation. Public hospital wait times can be up to several months, while private clinics often offer faster appointments.

Conditions That Commonly Co-occur with ADHD

ADHD frequently co-occurs with other conditions. 

Research shows that many people with ADHD also experience:
•    Anxiety: Persistent worry or nervousness that goes beyond everyday stress
•    Depression: Low mood, loss of interest, and fatigue
•    Learning difficulties: Including dyslexia and dysgraphia
•    Autism spectrum disorder: ADHD and autism can co-exist and share some overlapping traits

If you’re experiencing symptoms that overlap with more than one condition, a thorough assessment can help clarify what’s going on. 

TYHO Therapists can support you through this process.

ADHD Treatment in Singapore

ADHD Treatments are available to manage and live comfortably with ADHD, either as a child or an adult.

A therapeutic plan may include psychotherapy, medication, training, or a combination of several approaches (ie eclectic approach).

Medications for ADHD

Medications can help improve a person’s ability to focus, learn, and manage emotions. Not everyone with ADHD requires medication.  

Whether you need medication depends on your symptoms’ intensity, needs, what works best for you, and your healthcare provider’s recommendations.

Stimulants are the most prevalent medications prescribed for ADHD. Contrary to their name, they function by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine (brain neurotransmitters), which are instrumental in attention and cognition.  

Non-stimulants represent an alternative category of ADHD medications. Their onset of action is slower compared to stimulants, but they can equally improve focus and attention and control impulsivity.  

Medical professionals might opt for non-stimulants if a person experiences negative effects from stimulants, if the stimulant proves ineffective, or to complement a stimulant’s efficacy.

Certain antidepressants, although not officially approved for ADHD treatment, can be prescribed either as standalone treatments or along with stimulants.  

They might be particularly beneficial if the person has comorbid conditions such as generalised anxiety or depression.  

ADHD medication in Singapore

The most commonly prescribed ADHD medication in Singapore is methylphenidate, available as Ritalin (immediate-release), Medikinet (modified-release), and Concerta (extended-release). Many people with ADHD benefit most from a combination of mental health therapy and medication. It is worth noting, however, that not everyone with ADHD needs medication. For many people, counselling alone is sufficient to manage symptoms.

How Therapy Helps With ADHD

Living with ADHD can feel overwhelming, especially when everyday tasks seem harder than they should be. 

A professional therapist can help you develop practical strategies for managing symptoms, improving focus, and building routines that work for you. Therapy, including online therapy, is often recommended to cope with ADHD-related challenges, even if the individual is taking medication for ADHD treatment.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective approaches for ADHD in adults. It helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and build skills for time management, organisation, and emotional regulation. For children, behavioural therapy and parent training are often recommended alongside or instead of medication.

If you’re exploring whether therapy could help with ADHD, TYHO has Therapists experienced in ADHD therapy in Singapore who can work with you online or in-person. You can book a session in under a minute at app.talkyourheartout.com. 

Remember, you are not alone, and help is available.

Frequently Answered Questions

How do I know if I have ADHD?

Common signs of ADHD in adults include persistent difficulty concentrating, trouble staying organised, frequently losing things, restlessness, impulsive decision-making, and difficulty following through on tasks. If these have been present since childhood and affect your daily life in more than one area (eg work and relationships), it may be worth exploring whether ADHD is a factor. A Therapist on TYHO can help you think through whether an assessment is right for you.

What are the main symptoms of ADHD?

The three main symptom areas of ADHD are inattention (difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, disorganisation), hyperactivity (restlessness, difficulty sitting still, feeling internally ‘wired’), and impulsivity (acting without thinking, interrupting others, difficulty waiting). Not everyone experiences all three; some people are primarily inattentive, others primarily hyperactive-impulsive, and some have a combination. See the full symptoms breakdown above.

Does ADHD get better with age?

ADHD symptoms can change over time, but ADHD itself does not go away. Hyperactivity often becomes less visible in adulthood, shifting into internal restlessness. Inattention and impulsivity tend to persist. The good news is that with the right support (whether through therapy, coping strategies, or medication), many adults learn to manage their symptoms effectively and lead fulfilling lives.

How much does an ADHD assessment cost in Singapore?

ADHD is diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist through a comprehensive assessment. In Singapore, you can get a referral through a polyclinic to a public hospital (such as IMH or NUH), or book a private assessment directly. Subsidised public assessments start from around S$150-800 for citizens and permanent residents; private assessments range from S$1,850. If you’re unsure where to start, speaking with a TYHO Therapist can help you understand the process. Therapy sessions on TYHO start from S$130.80 (incl. GST) and can be a helpful first step before or alongside a formal assessment.

What types of therapy help with ADHD?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective approaches for ADHD in adults. It helps identify unhelpful patterns and build practical skills for organisation, time management, and emotional regulation. Other approaches that can help include coaching, psychoeducation, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). For children, behavioural therapy and parent training are often recommended. TYHO has Therapists experienced in these approaches. Sessions start from S$130.80 (incl. GST).

Is ADHD genetic?

Research strongly suggests that genetics play a significant role in ADHD. Studies estimate the heritability of ADHD at 70–80%, meaning that if a close family member has ADHD, you are more likely to have it too. However, ADHD is not caused by a single gene; it involves multiple genetic factors, and environmental influences can also contribute.

Can adults have ADHD?

Yes. ADHD is a lifelong condition that often persists into adulthood. Many adults are not diagnosed until later in life, sometimes after years of struggling with focus, organisation, or relationships without understanding why. If you suspect you might have ADHD, it is never too late to seek an assessment. See our section on ADHD symptoms in adults above.