Are You Suffering From Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
If forgetting signs adhd or losing your wallet and a constant lateness appear to be normal features of your personality, you may not think they are something to worry about. But these habits might be indicative of adult ADHD.
Family physicians often overlook 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 and anxiety problems.
1. You're having a hard time Focusing
If you have trouble staying focused it could be an indication that something is interfering in 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. You can increase your focus by getting rid of distractions and taking medication to help you focus.
In adults, signs of ADHD aren't as obvious as in children. They can be manifested as a general feeling of restlessness or a feeling of anxiety. You may not be easily able to sit still during conversations or doodling in meetings or fumbling with your phone, which is called fidgeting. These behaviors could cause you to miss important information or make it harder for others to understand what you mean.
You might also find yourself having trouble remembering things, such as appointments, tasks and other obligations. You might be inclined to delay things, staying up late to finish school work or working on a project days before the deadline. These habits may seem like normal personality characteristics that don't change, however if they affect your relationships and work, they might indicate that you suffer from ADD.
3. You Are Always Late
If you are always running late and find yourself making excuses, this could be a sign you have adult add. Expert in time management Carmel Moore says that people who are consistently late may be motivated by the desire to rush or are impatient and don't take into account how much time it takes them to travel from point A to B. They also are prone to engage in illusions, believing that it will take less time than it actually takes.
4. You're having trouble Managing Your Time
Procrastination is a characteristic that a lot of adults carry with them from their childhoods. It could be a personality habit that you can't change. Maybe you are still putting off responding to texts or calling people to return calls. You may always be late for work or other events. If these habits are affecting your life, it could be a sign of an adult add. Putting things off can lead to anxiety, depression and even burnout.
5. You have a difficult time Being Well-organized
It might appear that your problems with procrastination from high school have gone away however, sometimes these habits persist into adulthood. If you're constantly getting things lost or leaving them out in plain sight it could be a sign you're required to improve your organizational abilities. Similarly, if you are always putting snooze on your alarm only to forget to make sure the family cat is fed, or you put off completing tasks due until they're right up against the deadline, these habits may be a sign of adult ADHD. You need to deal with these issues before they affect your relationships and career or your mental health. Fortunately, help is available. Just a few tweaks to your routine could get you back on track!