Advances in science and technology have made possible the early detection of various medical conditions and health disorders. People are now familiar with illnesses as they have better access to healthcare and can obtain information online with just a few strokes of the key.
Many individuals are familiar with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may bring children who have difficulty paying attention, are hyperactive, or impulsive.
However, children are not the only ones affected by it. Adults might also have ADHD. It affects about 4% to 5% of adults in the United States. Unfortunately, they are rarely diagnosed or treated for it.
While ADHD is easily recognizable in children, adults, on the other hand, have less detectable symptoms. As a result, many adults have ADHD and are unaware of it. They may be oblivious to the daily challenges, such as remaining organized and being on time, which are related to ADHD.
What is adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition characterized by chronic issues such as trouble paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Adult ADHD can cause problems such as troubled relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and more.
Despite the name, symptoms of adult ADHD begin in childhood and last throughout adulthood. ADHD is not often diagnosed or discovered until a person is an adult. Adult ADHD symptoms may differ from those seen in children. Hyperactivity in adults may lessen, but impulsiveness, restlessness, and difficulties in staying focused may persist.
Everyone with ADHD as an adult had it when they were young. Some people may have been diagnosed and are aware of it. However, some people may not have been diagnosed when they were young and learn about it later in life.
Then there are individuals who go through life completely unaware that they have ADHD because they never suspected it or sought medical advice.
10 Adult ADHD Symptoms to Take Note Of:
1) Troubled relationships
Adults with ADHD often struggle in relationships, whether they are professional, romantic, or platonic. Having someone who is inattentive, easily bored, and talks over people in conversations sounds tiresome. Adults with ADHD frequently exhibit these characteristics, making them appear insensitive, inconsiderate, and reckless.
2) Disorganization
An adult with ADHD struggles to keep everything orderly and in its proper place. They may have difficulty keeping track of tasks or logically prioritizing duties. Their management of money, employment, children, tasks, and life, in general, is highly problematic.
3) Lack of focus
Simply defined, adult ADHD is more than just a problem with paying attention. It also includes being unable to concentrate on completing jobs or projects, being easily distracted, overlooking key details, and having difficulty listening to people in a conversation.
4) Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus is the opposite of lack of focus. Adults with ADHD are typically easily distracted, but they can also become so engaged in something that they forget about everything else. This could lead to misunderstandings and relationship problems.
5) Time management issues
Adults with ADHD struggle with time management. This is similar to a constant state of disorder. They cannot successfully manage their time because they procrastinate, overlook boring activities, or consistently arrive late for appointments.
6) Forgetfulness
Forgetfulness tends to occur more often in adults with ADHD. This includes forgetting to keep tabs on important dates and remembering where they’ve put something. The constant display of forgetfulness can take a toll on careers and relationships.
7) Anxiety and restlessness
While adults with ADHD can suffer from a lack of motivation, they can also go to the opposite end by being restless and always yearning to do things. They believe their internal motor will not stop running, yet they become frustrated if they are unable to act quickly.
Worrying situations are also replayed in mind frequently, creating a lot of anxiety. Fidgeting is one of the physical manifestations of restlessness and worry.
8) Fatigue
Fatigue is an expected result for adults with ADHD. The hyper activeness, side effects from ADHD medications, focus effort, and sleep issues cause fatigue.
9) Substance misuse
Adults with the condition are more likely to abuse certain substances like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. These are misused in the hopes that they can improve focus, sleep, and relieve anxiety.
10) Impulsiveness
A very common habit of an adult with ADHD is impulse buying. This shopping act displays a habit of apparent disregard for financial consequences. Impulsiveness is also shown by being socially inappropriate, rushing through tasks or assignments, and interrupting others while in conversation.
Consult an experienced mental health practitioner if you believe you have adult ADHD. It can be challenging to diagnose because some symptoms, such as poor concentration, lack of motivation, and relationship issues, might also be markers of other illnesses. Other conditions such as depression and substance abuse almost have similar symptoms.
There are ADHD clinical trials one can participate in where you can get much-needed help and start feeling better.