A man who was branded a daydreamer by teachers who put his disruptive behaviour down to laziness has described his constant battle with ADHD.

Carlos D’Souza, who owns personal training company The Carlos Method, in Long Lane, Finchley, was not diagnosed until he was 25-years-old.

Now 32 and living in Wood Green, he has got his life back on track – but says it was a struggle and is now determined to tell his story to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.

The condition causes hyperactivity and can affect concentration and mood – symptoms which have dominated Carlos’s life. It can also cause impulsiveness.

He said: “ADHD is just like having television channels and constantly flicking between them in your head. It’s like mentally juggling balls in the air all the time.

“My short attention span and zoning out have caused problems – it’s frustrating for people.

“I used to forget to pay bills.”

Growing up, he says his undiagnosed ADHD prevented him from reaching his full potential.

At school, his lack of concentration, fast-talking and inability to sit down were all dismissed as bad behaviour.

It was not until he started a B-Tech diploma in sports science that he got back on track, eventually completing a degree in sports medication and injury prevention at Middlesex University.

He was diagnosed aged 25 after returning from a holiday to America, where many people told him he displayed key characteristics of ADHD.

Today, he manages the condition using therapy and by following a strict diet and has turned his life around with the help of his business. He claims these things have helped to keep him focused.

Being honest about his condition to his clients is important for Carlos, who says he “always manages to be open”.

He added: “Before I was diagnosed for example, clients would tell me they couldn’t do certain workouts because of injuries and I would forget and ask them to do things they couldn’t do.

“Now they understand I might need reminding. The only way I can be successful is to tell people so they’re bit more understanding.

“If I didn’t tell people they would think I was negligent or didn’t care about them or what I’m doing”

“It is important people know that you can manage your condition and still maximise your potential.”

After years without a diagnosis, Carlos wants to encourage others to be as open and honest as they can by looking to relatives and loved ones they trust.

Now Carlos is looking to keep raising awareness of the condition. He hopes to write a book about his experiences to help young people with mental health problems in the future.