A man diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder following a breakdown two years ago is setting up a support group for adults with the condition.

Ashley Fielder, who lives in Letchworth, was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 27 and has found there is very little support for adults with the condition.

Symptoms of ADHD include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness and can lead to issues with drugs, crime and employment.

Ashley said: “I was fortunate enough to have grown up with a good awareness of ADHD due to my brother being diagnosed at a young age, but I still didn’t recognise the warning signs until it was too late.

“I was aware I was often the outsider looking in. As a child I often struggled retaining friendships, which seemed normal at the time. Later, I realised this was often down to my social incapabilities – an issue that still affects me today.

“Although acceptable grades were achieved at school, this wasn’t easy to do. My focus was often elsewhere.

“ADHD sufferers have high intellect, but this is often guided to one or two hyper-focused activities. For me, this was numbers and creativity via photography and construction.

“Later in life, I struggled with things most consider day-to-day routines, such as remembering meetings, and I often had trouble with paperwork and deadlines.”

Following the births of his two sons, Ashley experienced violent outbursts and eventually got into trouble with the police. It was then he was assessed and diagnosed with ADHD.

Ashley, together with fellow ADHD sufferer Kayleigh Ruthven, has decided to set up a support group called ADHDUK for adults diagnosed with the condition, with plans to turn it into a charity.

He said: “There’s very little in the way of support for people who suffer who are diagnosed as adults. A team is being built to help people to have smoother journeys in life and raise public awareness of ADHD.

“We want to educate people on ADHD and run support groups.”

To support the endeavour, visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/kayleigh-ruthven.