Ant McPartlin, 44, is famously one half of the comedy duo Ant & Dec, a partnership that has entertained UK audiences for almost decades. Our the last few years, however, the TV star’s life has been a far-cry from funny. After he became addicted to prescription drugs back in 2015, Ant’s life seemed to lurch from one public scandal to the next, culminating in him taking a break from TV in 2018. During his recovery period, it emerged that Ant had been living with ADHD.
What is ADHD?
According to Mayo Clinic: “Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.”
As the health site explains, adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems.
Though it’s called adult ADHD, symptoms start in early childhood and continue into adulthood, notes the health site.
In some cases, as in Ant’s, ADHD is not recognised or diagnosed until the person is an adult.
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Most of the time, however, symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child’s circumstances change, such as when they start school, explains the NHS.
How to spot it
According to the health body, the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorised into two types of behavioural problems: inattentiveness, and hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Most people with ADHD have problems that fall into both these categories, but this is not always the case, notes the health site.
“For example, some people with the condition may have problems with inattentiveness, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness,” it explains.
How is ADHD treated?
Treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help relieve the symptoms and make the condition much less of a problem in day-to-day life.
According to Mayo Clinic, standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training and psychological counselling.
It is worth noting that these treatments can help manage many symptoms of ADHD, but they don’t cure it, says the health body.
“It may take some time to determine what works best for you,” it adds.
The NHS outlines five types of medication that are licensed for the treatment of ADHD:
- Methylphenidate
- Dexamfetamine
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Atomoxetine
- Guanfacine
The health body says: “These medications are not a permanent cure for ADHD but may help someone with the condition concentrate better, be less impulsive, feel calmer, and learn and practise new skills.”
Often in combination with medication, therapy is effective in treating additional problems, such as conduct or anxiety disorders, that may appear with ADHD, says the health site.
Some people may also notice a link between types of food and worsening ADHD symptoms. However, there’s no strong evidence to support the claims so each case should be judged on its own individual merit, adds the health body.