Coaching Enquiry
Click here to arrange a call with an ADHD coach
ADHD Expert Talks
"Cognition and ADHD"
with Psychiatrist, Dr Fonseca. At UCL on Thurs 24th May at 7pm.
Click for info, click for tickets.
Sign up for Reminders
Newsletter Signup
Favourite Books
Winner Top 20 Blog
Student Depression website not paying attention to ADHD
Students Against Depression Website
A website for and partly by students with depression. Owned by Charlie Waller Memorial Trust in association with a committee from the Association for University and College Counselling (AUCC).
From the site
Depression is a growing problem and may be affecting you.
Resources for UK students
This site offers UK students comprehensive information and discussion about:
- what depression is and how it works
- what contexts depression flourishes in
- self-help strategies for tackling depression
- how to get further support and help
The site has been developed in consultation with students who have been affected by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Many of their stories and suggestions are included on the site.
Problem
A comprehensive website on student depression with no mention of ADHD whatsoever. For a significant proportion of young people with ADHD, University and college present major problems and sadly often depression. I emailed and recieved no reply to the following:
Hi,
My name is Andrew Lewis and I am an AD/HD Coach. I think your site is great and very helpful for students with depression (having suffered myself 30 years ago) however you have missed one of the major causes of depression in students: ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder) - AD/HD affects from 3-8% of the UK population:
- Up to 50% of people with AD/HD will suffer depression at some time
- AD/HD impacts on ability to go to sleep, time management, organisation, punctuality, addictions (around 40% of adults with AD/HD will have an addiction at one time and cannabis is most abused), procrastination, motivation and mood.
- AD/HD is equally distributed across all intelligences though may actually be more prevalent in the very bright. For intelligent students AD/HD is often manageable through the structured school environment, with parental support and short deadlines, and not be a major issue, so not be apparent or diagnosed. However for many students university is the major hurdle that brings to the fore all the AD/HD issues.
- American research is plentiful that University is a problematic time for AD/HD students and there is much support for them provided at this time
I coach adults and students with AD/HD. The students often become overwhelmed with the organisational issues and with procrastination at University. Coupled with missing early lectures, alcohol/drug issues and problems with self-esteem, these AD/HD student often suffer depression. However conventional approaches to managing depression do not necessarily help, as there are neurological chemical issues at the core of their issues. SSRIs are often ineffective whilst stimulants such as Ritalin are far more helpful.
I suffered from depression at university in the 80's having been a straight A but "lazy" student. My depression stemmed from my AD/HD, I was not diagnosed but conventional depression treatment and advice would not have significantly helped, AD/HD medications, advice and coaching would have.
I would ask that you research the situation in the USA, see articles such as http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/702.html, which is many years ahead of the UK in the understanding and treatment of AD/HD. NHS Nice has however finally recognised that ADHD continues into adulthood see here.
I would humbly request that you provide information and useful links on your site to other ADD sites. I would be happy to write some material for you. Please contact me by email on andrew.lewis@simplywellbeing.com or view my site at www.simplywellbeing.com for more information on AD/HD.
Regards
Andrew Lewis
ADD/ADHD Coach