Dr. Ananya Rao
Adult Psychiatry
MD Psychiatry
Leads the inpatient psychiatric team, with a focus on mood and anxiety disorders.
Conditions · Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD
ADHD does not end in childhood. Many adults are diagnosed only after years of struggling with focus, time and impulsivity. An assessment can bring clarity — and treatment can make everyday life noticeably easier.
InattentiveHyperactive-impulsiveCombined presentation
What it can look like
Signs of adult adhd
Not everyone experiences every sign, and intensity varies. If several of these sound familiar, an assessment is worth having.
- Difficulty sustaining attention or finishing tasks
- Frequent forgetting, losing things or missing deadlines
- Restlessness or a feeling of constantly being 'driven'
- Acting on impulse, interrupting, hasty decisions
- Trouble organising time and priorities
- Emotional ups and downs and low frustration tolerance
Free self-check
Unsure what you are experiencing?
Take a two-minute reflection based on the signs above. It is private, and it is not a diagnosis.
6 short questions
A two-minute check-in on adult adhd
You will see one question at a time. There are no right or wrong answers, and nothing is saved.
Understanding it
Types & presentations of adult adhd
Predominantly inattentive
Distractibility, forgetfulness and disorganisation.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
Restlessness and acting without thinking.
Combined
A mix of both sets of symptoms.
The Sakura approach
How we treat adult adhd
Every plan is individual, but care generally moves through these stages.
- 01
Comprehensive assessment
Clinical interview, developmental history and structured rating scales.
- 02
Medication options
Stimulant or non-stimulant treatment where appropriate, with monitoring.
- 03
Skills coaching
CBT for ADHD, time-management and organisational strategies.
- 04
Co-occurring conditions
Anxiety, depression and substance use are treated alongside.
Care pathways
Pathways for adult ADHD
Support starts with an accurate assessment, then builds the combination of skills and medication that works for you.
Milder presentations, or if you prefer to avoid medication
Coaching & CBT for ADHD
Practical strategies for time, organisation and emotional regulation, tailored to your work and home life.
ADHD is not about knowing what to do — it is about doing it. Coaching and CBT build external structure and habits that make attention and organisation work better.
- Structured assessment and diagnosis
- CBT and organisational skills training
- Routines, planners and environment changes
- Support for work or study accommodations
Adults with milder symptoms, those who prefer non-drug options, or people waiting to start medication.
Better organisation, fewer missed deadlines and less frustration at home and work.
Moderate to severe ADHD, or co-occurring conditions
Medication + skills
Medication to improve focus and impulse control, with skills coaching and monitoring.
Medication directly improves the brain's regulation of attention and impulse control, which makes skills and routines far easier to apply.
- Medication options reviewed and trialled carefully
- Blood pressure, sleep and appetite monitoring
- Skills coaching alongside
- Anxiety, depression or substance use treated together
Adults with moderate to severe ADHD, or ADHD alongside anxiety, depression or sleep problems.
Improved focus, calmer impulses and day-to-day functioning, with doses carefully tuned and monitored.
Helping yourself between sessions
- Break tasks into small, time-boxed steps
- Use reminders, calendars and visible checklists
- Create a consistent place for keys, wallet and phone
- Exercise and protect sleep to support focus
If you are supporting someone you love
- Understand it is neurobiological, not laziness
- Offer structure and reminders without nagging
- Praise effort and progress
- Help with organisation systems rather than criticising
Where care happens
Choose the level of care that fits
Meet the specialists
The clinicians who will look after you
A named psychiatrist and therapist from day one.
Questions answered
Your questions about adult adhd
Straight answers to what people and families ask us most.
Our care team is happy to talk it through — no obligation.
Yes. ADHD often continues into adulthood and may be recognised only later in life.
Through a clinical interview, history from childhood and standardised scales — there is no single test.
No. It is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting executive function, not a lack of effort.
Not always. Many people benefit from skills coaching alone; others from medication plus therapy.
Frequently — with anxiety, depression and substance use. Treating them together gives the best results.
When to seek help
If difficulty with focus and organisation has been present since childhood and affects work or relationships, consider an assessment.
In an emergency or if you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital. In India, the Tele MANAS helpline is 1-800-891-4416.