Young people's perceptions of and coping with their ADHD symptoms: A qualitative study

Purpose: This study aimed to explore how young people with ADHD perceive and cope with their ADHD symptoms in the context of their everyday life. The research also explores relationships between types of perceptions and types of coping. Method: A qualitative, inductive approach using individual semi-structured interviews to elicit and analyse young people's perceptions of and coping with their ADHD symptoms. Results: Analysis of interviews with 14 young people has shown a variety of perceptions regarding the mechanism behind the ADHD symptoms. Three types of perceived reasons for the ADHD symptoms were found: because there is something wrong with me, because there is a mismatch between me and the environment, because this is my personality. Variation was also found regarding the perceived threat of the symptoms. The results identified three ways of coping with symptoms: following the symptoms, changing the environment, controlling oneself. A possible relationship between type of perception and type of coping was identified. Conclusion: Young people with ADHD perceive and cope with their symptoms in various ways. Perceptions of and coping with ADHD may relate to each other. This study highlights the importance of identifying young people's perceptions of their ADHD in order to understand their attempts to cope with it.