ADHD in Adults: How Psychodynamic Therapy Can Help
Understanding ADHD in Adults
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often associated with childhood, but many adults continue to experience its effects well into later life. Some may have received a formal diagnosis in childhood, while others only come to suspect they have ADHD in adulthood, after years of struggling with focus, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and self-esteem.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it has a biological basis and affects brain function. However, its impact extends far beyond attention difficulties. Many adults with ADHD find themselves facing chronic disorganisation, difficulty managing emotions, strained relationships, and persistent feelings of underachievement. The condition can also contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-worth, particularly in those who have spent years trying to fit into structures not designed for their way of thinking.
The Emotional and Psychological Impact of ADHD
While ADHD is primarily neurological, its effects on emotions, relationships, and self-perception are profound. Many adults with ADHD experience:
Chronic feelings of failure – Struggling with deadlines, commitments, or expectations can lead to a pervasive sense of not living up to one’s potential.
Emotional dysregulation – Intense emotions, from frustration to excitement, can feel overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Impulsivity and regret – Acting before thinking can lead to social and professional challenges, as well as feelings of guilt or shame.
Relationship difficulties – ADHD can affect communication, attentiveness, and follow-through in relationships, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.
Hyperfocus and burnout – Some with ADHD experience intense focus on certain activities while struggling with essential daily tasks, creating cycles of exhaustion and frustration.
Recognising these challenges is the first step toward finding the right support.
How Psychodynamic Therapy Can Help Adults with ADHD
While ADHD is often managed with medication and behavioural strategies, psychodynamic therapy offers a deeper exploration of underlying patterns, helping individuals understand and navigate the emotional aspects of their condition.
1. Exploring Early Experiences and Self-Perception
Many adults with ADHD have internalised negative messages from childhood—being labelled as lazy, careless, or difficult. Psychodynamic therapy helps uncover these early experiences and reshape self-perceptions, fostering greater self-compassion and understanding.
2. Understanding Emotional Triggers
Impulsivity and emotional outbursts can often be traced back to deeper unconscious conflicts. Therapy provides a space to explore these triggers, helping clients develop healthier emotional responses.
3. Addressing Feelings of Shame and Guilt
Long-term struggles with focus, organisation, and follow-through can lead to chronic shame. Through therapy, clients can challenge negative self-beliefs and develop a more balanced view of their abilities and limitations.
4. Improving Relationship Dynamics
Many adults with ADHD experience difficulties in relationships, whether due to inattentiveness, forgetfulness, or emotional intensity. Psychodynamic therapy examines relational patterns, helping individuals build more fulfilling and stable connections.
5. Developing Emotional Resilience
While ADHD cannot be ‘cured,’ therapy can help individuals develop greater emotional resilience, enabling them to manage setbacks, build self-awareness, and cultivate a stronger sense of agency in their lives.
Start Your Journey to Understanding and Growth
ADHD is not just about attention—it affects emotions, relationships, and self-identity. Psychodynamic therapy provides a space to explore these challenges, helping adults with ADHD gain insight, build confidence, and develop healthier patterns of thinking and relating.
Start your journey to recovery today. Book a free initial consultation with Mayfair Therapy today. We offer the free first 50-minute consultation, with no subsequent obligation, to see if we will be a good therapeutic fit.