Have you ever suspected that you might have ADHD, even as an adult? You are not alone. There are a high percentage of adults that remain undiagnosed and/or untreated and this is likely because the increased level of awareness and improved access to providers for ADHD has only occurred in the more recent years.
When most people think about ADHD, kids commonly come to mind. You might think about a child having trouble concentrating in school or having a lot of energy and a hard time paying attention.
While it’s true that ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in children, it shouldn’t be ignored in adults.
Why is it so important to get a psychological evaluation as an adult? Because it helps you to get a better grasp on identifying the symptoms of adult ADHD each day and how they affect your personal life, your career, and your future.
Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of adult ADHD and their effects.
The Symptoms of Adult ADHD
The symptoms of adult ADHD manifest themselves in nearly the same ways as ADHD in children. In general, the biggest issues tend to be difficulty focusing and impulsive behaviors. Hyperactivity is another common problem.
Some of the ways these symptoms of ADHD could be impacting your life include:
Trouble managing your time
Poor planning skills
Disorganization
Restlessness
Difficulty multitasking
As you can imagine, these issues can create big problems in everyday, adult lives. Consider a few common situations.
At School
Plenty of adults attend college, night classes, or some other type of educational program.
ADHD can affect your schooling as an adult the same way it can impact the way a child learns and interacts in a classroom. You might have trouble concentrating in class or paying attention for long periods of time. As a result, your performance could be suffering.
In some cases, certain schools and/or teachers will make accommodations to make it easier for you to learn and grasp the curriculum.
At Work
Of course, if you’re not in school, you’re most likely in the workforce. ADHD can impact your job in negative ways, too.
Do you have a work history of getting fired or reprimanded because of poor organizational skills, lateness, or complaints from supervisors? It could be more than just a poor work ethic. You could be dealing with ADHD.
Again, some companies will provide accommodations for people with ADHD, once they can prove its been officially diagnosed.
In Relationships
ADHD can have a negative impact on romantic relationships, friendships, and even how you interact with your family.
Maybe you have a hard time following through on commitments or frequently argue with people. And you may also find that your romantic relationships never seem to last long.
In Life and So Much More
Commitment issues are common for someone with ADHD. Not just in relationships, but in life. Maybe you never stick to a hobby for too long. Or perhaps you start a project and never finish because you lose focus.
Because of traits like these, it can be hard to keep up with everyday things like paying bills or keeping track of normal responsibilities.
Moreover, people with ADHD also tend to be very impulsive. So you might be more prone to reckless behaviors like speeding, excessive drinking, and much more.
The Importance of Diagnosing Adult ADHD
ADHD isn’t always so cut and dry when it comes to getting an accurate diagnosis. Instead of dealing with attention deficit, you might actually be suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder. These conditions can sometimes manifest themselves through difficulty concentrating or having a hard time staying focused.
That’s why it’s so important to get the right diagnosis. It will help you to receive the treatment you need. This could include certain medications as well as therapy.
Therapy can help you identify your goals and how you want to achieve them. If you’re feeling lost, therapy can also help you to be more productive in finding your purpose and feeling more connected with yourself.
When I conduct adult ADHD evaluations, I assist you in understanding how you may benefit from therapy and/or ADHD coaching. I am also available to help you select an adult behavioral health provider for continued support.
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If you’re worried you might be dealing with ADHD as an adult, please feel free to contact me. ADHD is manageable, and with the right evaluation from a clinician like myself, and then subsequent treatment from an adult mental health provider, you can live a perfectly normal and fulfilled life.
