Are You Suffering From Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
If you find yourself forgetting important dates or losing your wallet and a constant lateness seem like normal traits of your personality, you may not consider them to be an issue. But signs and symptoms of adhd in adults could be a sign of adult ADHD.
Family physicians often miss ADD in adults. Patients suffering from ADD often present with mental health issues that are comorbid, such as mood disorders (depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder) as well as addiction problems.
1. You are having a difficult time focusing.
If you are having trouble focus it could indicate that something is affecting your ability to concentrate. You might want to talk to your doctor about getting tested for adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if this is a problem for you. There are some things you can try to improve your focus, including eliminating distractions or taking a medication that helps with concentration.
Adults have less obvious signs of ADHD than children. They may show up as a general restlessness or feeling anxious. You may not be able to sit still during conversations or doodling in meetings or fumbling with your phone, which is called fidgeting. These habits can cause you to miss important information, or make it difficult for others to understand your meaning.
You may also find yourself having trouble remembering things, such as appointments, tasks and other obligations. You may procrastinate by staying up late to finish school assignments or complete a project a day before the due date. These habits may appear to be normal traits of a person that are not going to change, but if they are impacting your relationships and work, they may indicate that you suffer from ADD.
3. You're Always Late
If you're always late and make excuses, it could be a sign that you suffer from adult ADHD. Expert in time management Carmel Moore says that people who are chronically late may be motivated by the desire to hurry or be impulsive and don't think about the amount of time it takes to travel from point A to B. They also are prone to engage in magical thinking, believing that it will take less time than it actually does.
4. You have a hard time managing your time
Many adults have carried this trait throughout their lives since the time they were children. It could be a personality characteristic that you cannot change. Perhaps you put off responding to messages via text or calling people to return calls. You might be constantly late for work or other activities. If these actions are causing disruption in your daily routine, it could be a sign of adult add. Refusing to tackle issues could lead to depression, anxiety, and eventually burnout.
5. You have a difficult time keeping track of your time
You might think that your procrastination issues from high school have long passed, but these tendencies persist into adulthood. For instance, if you regularly have trouble finding things, or putting items out where others can see it could be a sign that you're in need of improving your organization skills. If you're constantly hitting the snooze on your alarm and then not feeding your cat or family members or putting off assignments until the last minute, it could be a sign you suffer from adult ADHD. These issues must be addressed before they cause damage to your relationships, career or mental health. Fortunately, help is available. You can get back on track with small modifications to your routine!