What should you know about Gabor Maté and ADHD?

Maté has described attention difficulties as potentially shaped by early experiences and ongoing stress. Those ideas may encourage compassionate, non-blaming conversations, but they do not replace the established clinical process for identifying ADHD.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent patterns such as distractibility, impulsivity or unusually high activity that interfere with daily life. Similar experiences can occur with anxiety, poor sleep, depression, substance use or stressful circumstances. A clinician considers the pattern across settings, its onset, and its effect on learning, work, relationships and self-care.

Write down examples of difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, restlessness, impulsive decisions or irritability, including when they began and where they occur. Sleep routines, mood, medicines and caffeine can also help complete the picture.

Arrange a mental health assessment if these difficulties are persistent or disruptive. Support may include practical organisation strategies, psychological care, adjustments at school or work, and medication when a qualified clinician considers it appropriate.

Seek prompt help if attention or impulsivity is creating immediate danger, severe distress, inability to function, or thoughts of self-harm. Urgent services are appropriate for an immediate safety risk.

Book a routine appointment when concentration problems are affecting deadlines, driving, study, relationships or household tasks, especially if anxiety or low mood is present too.

Could my symptoms fit ADHD, or could sleep, anxiety, mood or another health issue explain them? What information from childhood, family or work would help? Which treatments and practical adjustments should we consider?