About ADHD
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) affects attention, impulsivity and activity in children and adults. Diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often by a psychiatrist, neuropsychologist or specialised psychologist. Treatment may include psychoeducation, behavioural strategies, support at school or work and, if appropriate, medication.
Psychologists assess and treat emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties through psychological therapy. They do not prescribe medication. In many countries clinical practice requires a specific qualification and registration with a licensing body, which Therapy247 checks.
Getting mental health care in South Sudan
Public health system · Ministry of Health public health services
Public mental health services are very limited and concentrated in Juba; the main specialist service is a small psychiatric ward at Juba Teaching Hospital, with a few scattered clinics in the states. The government launched its first national mental health and psychosocial support strategic plan (2025-2029), which aims to integrate mental health into primary health care. Humanitarian organisations provide much of the psychosocial support outside Juba. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- South Sudan General Medical Council. The Council is the regulatory body for medical, dental and pharmaceutical professionals and requires doctors to be registered and licensed before practising. Ask a doctor for their Council licence.
Urgent help in South Sudan
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 777 · Police emergency (Juba)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: emro.who.int, eyeradio.org, psychnews.psychiatryonline.org, eyeradio.org
Signs to look out for
Everyone gets distracted at times. ADHD may be worth assessing when difficulties with attention, organisation, impulsivity or restlessness have been present since childhood, appear in different settings such as school, work and home, and cause real problems: unfinished tasks, frequent lost items, forgetting appointments, acting without thinking, or feeling constantly restless. In adults it is often unrecognised for years.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Diagnosis requires a careful assessment by a qualified professional, such as a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist or paediatrician, depending on age and country. Treatment may combine psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for organisation and emotional regulation, parent training for children, school adaptations, and medication prescribed and monitored by a doctor when appropriate. Educational psychologists and psychopedagogues support learning.
When to seek urgent help
ADHD itself is not an emergency, but impulsivity can increase risks. Contact your local emergency services after a serious accident or injury, or if someone has thoughts of suicide or harming others. Seek prompt medical advice for any worrying side effects of medication, such as chest pain or palpitations, and do not change medication without talking to the prescribing doctor.
What you can do in the meantime
External structure helps: use calendars, alarms, lists and visible reminders, and break tasks into small steps with short breaks. Regular sleep, physical activity and meals support attention. Reduce distractions in your work or study space. For children, clear routines, specific praise and calm, consistent limits help. Look for reliable information from health organisations rather than social media alone.
What does a psychologist do?
A psychologist spends most of the working day talking with people about what worries them and helping them change it. That includes assessing the difficulty, agreeing goals, and using structured psychological techniques in sessions with adults, teenagers, children, couples or families. Between sessions they prepare materials, write notes, and sometimes coordinate with doctors, schools or other professionals, always with your consent.
When to see a psychologist
It makes sense to see a psychologist when anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship problems, a loss or a difficult change start to affect your sleep, work or relationships, or when you simply want to understand yourself better. If symptoms are very severe, you may need medication, or there are signs of a medical cause, a psychiatrist or your doctor should be involved too.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in South Sudan cover psychological care?
Public mental health services are very limited and concentrated in Juba; the main specialist service is a small psychiatric ward at Juba Teaching Hospital, with a few scattered clinics in the states. The government launched its first national mental health and psychosocial support strategic plan (2025-2029), which aims to integrate mental health into primary health care. Humanitarian organisations provide much of the psychosocial support outside Juba.
How do I check that a psychologist is licensed in South Sudan?
South Sudan General Medical Council: The Council is the regulatory body for medical, dental and pharmaceutical professionals and requires doctors to be registered and licensed before practising. Ask a doctor for their Council licence.