ADULT ADHD – Is It You?
Posted by Rinda on 21/06/2009
Adult ADHD, Is It You?
By Rinda Ismar
adults adhd
Attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) consists of a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactive and impulsive behavior that is more severe than expected in children of the age and level of development.
It is now known that these symptoms continue into adulthood for about 60% of children with ADHD. Which means an estimation of 8 million adults. However, few adults are identified or treated for adult ADHD.
Adult ADD/ADHD, as in children, is characterized by excessive inattentiveness, impulsiveness and hyperactivity.
ADHD in adults
Difficulty in remembering information, concentrating, unable to follow directions, organizing tasks or completing work within time limit are among signs of adult ADHD
They can cause associated behavioral, emotional, social, vocational and academic problems if these difficulties are not managed correctly.
Signs and symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD
How can you tell if you or a loved one has adult ADD/ADHD? Since many conditions show similar symptoms, diagnosis can be challenging.
For example, if you are depressed or anxious, you might struggle with procrastination, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Or if you did not learn organizational skills while growing up, you might have trouble keeping your house clean or remembering appointments.
Final diagnosis comes from evaluation from a skilled professional. Symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD include similar childhood symptoms and persistent adult symptoms that interfere with work and relationships, even through the ups and downs of life.
Symptoms of Adult ADD/ADHD include:
- Inattention symptoms
You might lose focus on conversations without realizing it. Finishing tasks might feel impossible, and you might not be able to continue several tasks that you have started at once. You might easily get distracted or forgetful, leading to errors or incomplete work.
Home and/or workspace might be unusually cluttered and messy. Completing large projects may be very difficult since you have trouble with procrastination. Adults with ADD/ADHD often also continually forget or lose things.
- Hyperactivity symptoms
You may find yourself easily bored, irritated and experience mood swings.
You may be restless and full of nervous energy, not able to sit and relax. Quiet activities might feel impossible. You may feel the need to talk incessantly.
- Impulsivity symptoms
You may have trouble controlling impulses :
* Decision making. You might have a pattern of making sudden impulsive decisions or have trouble listening to others.
* Relating to others. You might have trouble following a conversation, interrupting others, answering before a question has been asked, or blurting out things you regret later.
General behavioral findings in adult ADHD
The following behaviors and problems may stem directly from ADHD or may be the result of related adjustment difficulties:
* Chronic lateness and forgetfulness.
* Anxiety
* Low self-esteem.
* Employment problems.
* Difficulty controlling anger.
* Impulsiveness.
* Substance abuse or addiction.
* Poor organization skills.
* Procrastination.
* Low frustration tolerance.
* Chronic boredom.
* Difficulty concentrating when reading.
* Mood swings.
* Relationship problems.
A good clinical diagnosis and consultation with a specialist in this area is needed to decide the best treatment for you. Joining a self-help group to get further information and support is very beneficial for you.
A complementary method to lower your stress and subjective impairments with a positive influence on your well-being is recommended. But this usually does not influence the basic attention and executive dysfunctions of ADHD.
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