Do I Have ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children and adults. It’s a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that gets in the way of daily life, work or school. While ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, many adults go undiagnosed or symptoms become more apparent later in life. If you think you might have ADHD, this article will walk you through the signs and symptoms, how ADHD looks in adults and what you can do to find out for sure.
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What is ADHD
ADHD is divided into three main types:
- Inattentive Type: Mostly inattention and lack of focus.
- Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: More physical restlessness and impulsive behaviour.
- Combined Type: A mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Signs of ADHD
ADHD symptoms vary from person to person but generally fall into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. These can be experienced to different degrees and may change as you get older.
1. Inattention
If you have ADHD you might:
- Have trouble paying attention: You can’t focus on tasks or follow through with instructions.
- Get distracted easily: Small distractions (noises, visual stimuli or your own thoughts) can pull your attention away from what you’re doing.
- Struggle with organisation: Keeping track of tasks, time and belongings can feel overwhelming and lead to procrastination or missed deadlines.
- Make careless mistakes: At work or school you might rush through tasks and miss important details.
- Avoid or dislike sustained mental effort: You might procrastinate tasks that require long periods of concentration like paperwork or reading.
- Lose items frequently: You may misplace keys, phones or other important objects.
- Forget appointments or tasks: Even with reminders or calendars you might still forget important commitments.
2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
In adults with ADHD, hyperactivity may look different to children. Instead of physical restlessness it may show up as mental or emotional restlessness. You might:
- Feel restless or fidgety: You can’t sit still for long periods, often tapping your foot, moving your hands or getting up frequently.
- Talk too much: Conversations feel like a race and you may talk before you think.
- Interrupt others: You might interrupt conversations, finish other people’s sentences or act without thinking of the consequences.
- Feel impatient: Waiting in lines or sitting through meetings can feel almost unbearable.
- Can’t relax: Even in downtime you may find it hard to unwind and relax.
- Act impulsively: You may make decisions without thinking of the long term effects, like making impulsive purchases, quitting jobs or getting into relationships without much thought.
Adult ADHD
ADHD is often thought of as a childhood condition but many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD or were never evaluated when they were younger. In adulthood ADHD may look different to the typical hyperactive child but the core symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and restlessness remain.
Adult ADHD Signs
- Chronic lateness and forgetfulness: You feel like you’re always running late or forget important dates or deadlines.
- Poor time management: Tasks that require planning, organisation or time management feel overwhelming and lead to procrastination or missed deadlines.
- Career problems: You may change jobs frequently or underachieve in your career despite your potential.
- Relationship issues: Partners, friends or colleagues may find you difficult to deal with because of forgetfulness, distractibility or impulsive actions.
- Disorganisation: Your workspace, home or car may be cluttered and you may struggle to maintain organisation in daily life.
- Trouble starting or completing tasks: Even when you know something is important you may have trouble starting it or following through to the end.
- Emotional sensitivity: ADHD can lead to intense emotional reactions, frustration, anger or sadness often triggered by perceived failure or stress.
- Trouble prioritising tasks: You may find it hard to decide which tasks are most important and so feel stressed or inefficient when dealing with multiple responsibilities.
How to Determine If You Have ADHD
If you think you have ADHD there are several ways you can start to explore if you have it.
1. Self-Assessment
Start by thinking about your daily habits and behaviour. Ask yourself:
- Do I struggle to finish tasks even simple ones?
- Am I easily distracted by small things like noises or my own thoughts?
- Do I feel restless or mentally “on edge” when I’m supposed to relax?
- Do I make impulsive decisions I later regret?
Online ADHD self-tests can also help you determine if your experiences match common ADHD symptoms. Not diagnostic tools but can give you an idea if you should pursue further evaluation.
2. Talk to People Around You
Sometimes others can give you insight into patterns you may not see. Ask friends, family or colleagues if they’ve noticed behaviours that might suggest ADHD such as chronic lateness, disorganisation or distractibility.
3. Speak to a Healthcare Professional
The only way to definitely determine if you have ADHD is to see a healthcare provider such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist. They will do an evaluation that may include:
- Clinical interviews: A thorough discussion about your symptoms, how they affect your life and your personal history.
- Behavioural questionnaires: You may be asked to complete rating scales or questionnaires to assess the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms.
- Collateral information: A doctor may ask for input from family members, partners or close friends who can speak to your behaviour over time.
4. ADHD Diagnosis Process
ADHD is diagnosed according to the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The professional will assess if:
- Your symptoms have been present for at least 6 months.
- Your symptoms started before the age of 12.
- The symptoms occur in multiple settings (e.g. at work, at home, in social situations).
- Your symptoms are impacting your ability to function in work, school or relationships.
A diagnosis may also involve eliminating other conditions that could be causing similar symptoms such as anxiety, depression or sleep disorders.
ADHD Treatment
If you are diagnosed with ADHD there are many treatment options available to manage your symptoms.
1. Medication
Medications such as stimulants (e.g. Adderall, Ritalin) or non-stimulants (e.g. Strattera) can help regulate brain activity and improve focus and attention.
2. Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is often effective in helping people with ADHD develop strategies to manage time, reduce distractions and improve organisation.
3. Lifestyle Changes
- Exercise: Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce ADHD symptoms by boosting mood and focus.
- Sleep and diet: Get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet and you’ll feel more mentally clear and some symptoms will reduce.
- Mindfulness practices: Meditation can help reduce stress and improve focus.
4. Coaching and Support
ADHD coaching can help you develop personal strategies to manage your time, stay organised and achieve your goals. Support groups are also great to connect with others who are going through similar challenges.
Summary
If you think you may have ADHD it’s important to know it’s a manageable condition with the right tools and support. Self-reflection, online assessments and professional evaluations can help you get clarity on if ADHD is impacting your life. With the right treatment many people with ADHD live successful, happy lives, using their strengths and managing their challenges.
