ADHD
ADHD Treatment in Singapore
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. Diagnosed cases in Singapore and across the world increase yearly, and an estimated total of 5.29% of the total global population is believed to suffer from this condition.
As the number of cases increases, public awareness is growing. More and more people are realising that they don’t simply have to live with the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Resources are becoming widely available as adults and children alike are reaching out for help.
Do you think that you or someone in your family might be dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? You have come to the right place! Here is your complete guide to ADHD assessment and coaching resources in Singapore.
Getting Started with ADHD Assessment & Diagnosis in Singapore
Are you ready to finally get that ADHD assessment? Why wait another day? Getting started with coaching can truly transform every area of your life. Being tested for ADHD will eliminate any second-guessing and will get you on the track to a healthier and happier life.
Not sure if you have the condition? There are a range of other conditions that present similar symptoms and it is essential to know what you may be dealing with. Remember, it is crucial to give yourself proper care. Mental health issues are no less pressing than physical ailments and you decide the best of care.
Scroll through our list of psychologists and counsellors working from our Singapore therapy office to find the right fit for you. When you have decided who you may want to work with, schedule a free 15-minute chat to get started today.
COUNSELLORS FOR ADHD
Senior Psychologist
- Masters in Educational Psychology
- Full Member of Singapore Psychological Society
- EMDR certified therapist
- Specialties: Trauma, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Behavioural management and Positive parenting skills
- Approach: An eclectic mix of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing
- Language: English
Psychologist
- PhD in Clinical Psychology
- Full Member of American Psychological Association
- Full Member of Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Specialties: Mood, anxiety and behaviour disorders
- Approach: Person-Centered Approach, “Third-Wave” Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies, Mindfulness and Acceptance Therapy
- Language: English
Clinical Psychologist
- Masters in Clinical Psychology
- Full Member of Singapore Psychological Society
- Full Member of Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology
- Specialties: Millenials and Gen Z with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and self-worth issues, relationship issues, OCD, ADHD, LGBTQ+ related concerns, identity formation
- Approach: Person-centred approach with primary concepts of Acceptance and Commitment-based Therapy (ACT), blending bits of CBT, emotion-focused therapy, and self-compassion
- Language: English, Conversational Malay
Senior Clinical Psychologist
- M.Phil in clinical psychology
- Rehabilitation Council of India
- Specialties: Anger management, Body image, Eating disorders, Personality disorders, Relationship issues
- Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Positive Psychotherapy, Schema Therapy and Psychodynamic approaches
- Language: Hindi, English
ADHD Symptoms In Kids
One of the top mental illnesses affecting children is ADHD. Symptoms include the inability to hold concentration; restless and excessive movements that are inappropriate for the situation; and a tendency toward rash, unplanned actions.
Symptoms in kids can typically be detected beginning from age five. When left untreated, it can result in low self-esteem and poor social functioning. This can lead to them growing up with low self-esteem, sensitivity to criticism, and increased self-criticism.
ADHD in Girls vs Boys
In addition to the difference between ADHD in children and adults, it is also crucial to note the difference in boys vs girls. One of the biggest misconceptions is that it affects boys more than girls. This is true if you look at it from a surface level. Indeed, boys are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed. Mental healthcare professionals, however, have noted that this difference in rates is due to a difference in symptoms.
While boys typically exhibit hyperactivity and other externalised characteristics, it is the opposite for girls. It is more common to see symptoms of inattentiveness and a range of internalised traits. Since teachers and parents are more aware of symptoms in boys, they are therefore more likely to refer these cases to mental healthcare professionals for counselling for ADHD.
Teachers and parents often seek ADHD treatment when they see boys who are hyperactive, fidgety, impulsive, and constantly moving. Girls with the condition are often noted for their problems focusing and paying attention. Since they are often quiet and not disruptive in the classroom, it is less likely for teachers to notice the issue.
Symptoms in Girls
When it comes to young girls, it is essential to recognise the different symptoms that they tend to present. Although each case is different and some girls may visibly display some, none, or all of the symptoms, these are some common symptoms that we use to guide a diagnosis including the following:
- Socially withdrawn/ shy
- Easily upset/ cries easily
- Often daydreaming
- Easily distracted
- Disorganised
- Seeming lack of effort/ motivation
- Forgetful
- Sensitive to sound and textures
- Highly talkative
- Hyperreactivity
- Poor time management
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Verbally impulsive
Symptoms in Boys
In young children, the symptoms for both boys and girls can be the same but often boys present more visible symptoms. The ones that are most frequently noticed include the following:
- Difficulty sitting still
- Struggle to wait for their turn
- Often interrupts
- Shouts out answers rather than raising hand
- Not following instructions
ADHD Treatment for children in Singapore is increasingly in demand. While some view the increase in diagnoses as problematic, we have the opposite perspective. In the past, children with such condition simply fell behind in life and never met their potential. They were never diagnosed and had to struggle silently in school. Their inability to manage the condition and the lack of support meant they had to face a lifetime of difficulties as they were left behind both academically and professionally. Today ADHD treatment in Singapore is widely available and offers truly life-changing results.
Another one of the common misconceptions is that healthcare professionals are simply handing out pills. While some children can indeed benefit from ADHD medication, it is certainly not a standalone solution nor is it necessary for all kids. Psychological therapy in children is a fundamental part of successful treatment. Counselling for kids helps them learn how to cope with their feelings and ultimately how to alter their behaviour.
There is only one way to know for certain and that is to go for an ADHD assessment and dianogsis. To raise a happy, healthy, and successful child, it is critical to properly treat conditions like these. All too often we see parents come in with an old-fashioned perspective on health issues such as these but, unfortunately, ignoring these problems will not make them go away. It is essential to get your child tested and get help from a healthcare expert for ADHD counselling for children.
We have a team of counsellors and psychologists who specialise in the special needs of children. One of our experts can meet with your child to pinpoint the causes of behavioural problems. If your child has this condition, our healthcare professionals will create a custom ADHD treatment plan to help them cope.
Of course, going for screening doesn’t guarantee a diagnosis. Your child may be suffering from a learning disability or perhaps a temporary behavioural issue that simply requires him or her to learn proper coping techniques. Each case is different and our childhood development experts will work with you and your family to find the right solution.
Ready to get therapy for a child with ADHD? Schedule a free 15-minute chat with one of our healthcare professionals to discuss the full spectrum of options.
ADHD Symptoms In Adults
Getting a diagnosis for adults with ADHD can be complicated. The symptoms of ADHD in adults can be less obvious than they are in children. Unlike kids in school who are under constant supervision and regularly have their attention span tested with lessons and exams, adults are often only subject to their own scrutiny. This is complicated by the fact that people often confuse adult ADHD symptoms with character quirks.
Rather than recognising the symptoms of ADHD in adults, people often view them as personality traits. For example, someone might think that it is an eccentricity of theirs that they are late for everything. They wait until the last minute for projects because they think that they do their best work when they are under pressure. Maybe you see yourself as the kind of person who is naturally just a bit disorganised and perhaps it has even become a running joke amongst your family memories. The line between totally fine habits and symptoms is sometimes blurry.
While it is totally normal to feel a bit disorganised from time to time, it is essential to recognise the point at which it becomes a problem. Generally speaking, this line occurs when these issues are affecting your day-to-day life as it is recommended to seek treatment for individuals with ADHD.
Each case is different and each person experiences the condition a bit differently. That said, however, there are a few common feelings and typical daily situations that many adults with ADHD will notice. You may experience some of the following:
- Lack of attention to detail: Whether it is forgetting little things around like the house or omitting certain points in a presentation at work, it may be that the issue doesn’t lie with your memory but rather with your struggle to keep focused.
- Trouble staying on task: As much as multitasking can be a positive thing, it can also lead to numerous unfinished projects. If you find yourself struggling to focus on one task at a time, it could be a symptom.
- Difficulty listing: At times the inability to focus your attention takes the form of not listening. Perhaps someone has mentioned to you that you seem inattentive during conversations or maybe you have noticed it yourself. This lack of engagement can be one of the signs in adults.
- Lack of planning: Do you ever find yourself planning to organise something special for a birthday or anniversary but then the day rolls around and you have done nothing? Have you found yourself envisioning a plan for a project at work but then something comes up and it never gets done? These frustrating situations where your best intentions go awry are common and frustrating signs in adults.
- Disorganisation: Whether it is your wardrobe or your schedule, you may find it difficult to get things structured into an organised system. Though a bit of mess is normal in daily life it may be a symptom of a bigger problem if it regularly stands in the way of your regular routine or general contentment in life.
- Procrastination: We all put things off from time to time but if it is your standard way of operating and has become a true problem in your life, it is time to consider the real cause of this problematic behaviour.
Of course, it is essential to note that these are just a few of the common signs of ADHD in adults. It is not an exhaustive list of symptoms and, indeed, some adults have a different experience altogether with their symptoms.
One aspect in adults is hyperactivity. While it is not an assured part of ADHD, it is an all too common condition affecting many adults. If you regularly have a sense of being overwhelmed and rushed, you may be expecting adult hyperactivity. Here are a few other common indications in adults.
- Fidgeting: Whether it is doodling or biting your nails, restlessness often takes the form of fidgeting.
- Restlessness: If you find yourself struggling to sit in one spot, it can be a symptom of adult hyperactivity. While being active is great, it can be problematic if you struggle to get through a day at the office or if it affects social occasions. This chronic restlessness can also take the form of putting off going to sleep because it’s so hard to be still in bed.
- Racing thoughts: Fidgeting, restlessness, and always being on the go are often physical manifestations of racing thoughts. In this case, again, being active and always thinking about the next thing is not a bad thing in and of itself. When you get to the point, however, where you find that you are taking on more than you can handle, it is a true problem.
- Taking over conversations: Relationships with adults with this condition can be challenging at times as hyperactivity can cause excessive talking. For adults with ADHD, it may feel impossible to hold back thoughts and ideas. This can result in a one-sided conversation and frequent interruptions.
A diagnosis is done by a ADHD counsellor or therapist. When you go in for an ADHD assessment, you will be asked about your symptoms and how long you have been experiencing them. You will describe how it affects your life at home, work, school, or any other situation.
Here at A Kind Place, we work with an expert team of counsellors, psychologists, and other therapists who can assess ADHD. In order to create a comfortable environment where you feel at ease, we recommend taking the time to choose the best mental health professional for you. That is why we offer a free 15-minute conversation with any and every member of our team. This will help you choose the right therapist for your ADHD assessment.
It is a common misconception that after a diagnosis, you will simply be given medication that will cure the condition. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you have ADHD, your healthcare professional will recommend a range of treatment options to help manage ADHD symptoms.
While medication for adults can be part of a successful treatment plan, it does not work on its own. Counselling is a fundamental part of the process. As it is not something that simply disappears, working with a therapist is an efficient way to learn to manage the symptoms.
Benefits of ADHD Treatment
Working with a mental healthcare professional can provide you with a wide range of benefits. Here are a few ways that ADHD treatment programs can help:
- Improve your ability to organise and manage your time
- Learn strategies to become less impulsive
- Enhance your problem-solving skills
- Find a way to cope with failures
- Improve your self-esteem
- Understand techniques to improve your relationships
- Develop strategies to manage your temper
FAQs on ADHD in Singapore
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects a person’s ability to pay attention to the task at hand as well as to control impulsive behaviours. This condition is considered a chronic and debilitating disorder. It impacts people in numerous aspects of their life, academically, professionally, and personally.
Around 2.5% of adults and 8.4% of children (though some healthcare experts believe that the number of school-age kids with ADHD is as high as 20%. In school-aged children, this issue is often identified when it causes disruptions in the classroom or issues with homework.
It is essential to note that there are significant distinctions between the condition in children and adults in terms of symptoms, comorbidities, diagnosis, and treatment for ADHD management. For that reason, it is important to look at paediatric and adult ADHD as two distinct points.
You will often hear people talk about kids with ADD and sometimes we use the word so lightly that we say we have ADD whenever we struggle to focus. But, are ADD and ADHD the same thing? What is the difference?
By definition, there is no difference between the two. ADD (attention-deficit disorder) is an old word for the condition that we now call ADHD. While some people have hyperactive behaviour and others don’t, we use the single diagnosis for all cases falling under this umbrella.
Our team specialises in various fields such as anxiety counselling, depression counselling and trauma counselling. You can also find tailored counselling for men and special needs individuals.
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