Getting a Diagnosis
A lot of the time it’s not hard to spot ADHD in kids. But adults can have more subtle symptoms. This means many adults struggle with ADHD
and may not know they have it. They may not realize that many of the
problems they face, including staying organized or being on time, relate
back to ADHD.
Here are 10 potential warning signs of adult ADHD:
Top 10 Signs
No. 1: Trouble Getting Organized
For people with ADHD, the responsibilities of
adulthood -- bills, jobs, and children, to name a few -- can make
problems with organization more obvious and more problematic than in
childhood.
No. 2: Reckless Driving and Traffic Accidents
ADHD makes it hard to keep your attention on a task, so spending time behind the wheel of a car can be hard. ADHD symptoms can make some people more likely to speed, have traffic accidents, and lose their driver’s licenses.
No. 3: Marital Trouble
Many people without ADHD have marital problems, so a troubled marriage shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a red flag for adult ADHD. But there are some marriage problems that are likely to affect the relationships
of those with ADHD. Often, the partners of people with undiagnosed ADHD
take poor listening skills and an inability to honor commitments as a
sign that their partner doesn’t care. If you’re the person with ADHD,
you may not understand why your partner is upset, and you may feel
you’re being nagged or blamed for something that’s not your fault.
No. 4: Extremely Distractible
ADHD is a problem with attention, so adult ADHD can
make it hard to succeed in today’s fast-paced, hustle-bustle world. Many
people find that distractibility can lead to a history of career
under-performance, especially in noisy or busy offices. If you have
adult ADHD, you might find that phone calls or email derail your
attention, making it hard for you to finish tasks.
No. 5: Poor Listening Skills
Do you zone out during long business meetings? Did
your husband forget to pick up your child at baseball practice, even
though you called to remind him on his way home? Problems with attention
result in poor listening skills in many adults with ADHD, leading to a
lot of missed appointments and misunderstandings.
No. 6: Restlessness, Trouble Relaxing
While many children with ADHD
are “hyperactive,” this ADHD symptom often appears differently in
adults. Rather than bouncing off the walls, adults with ADHD are more
likely to be restless or find they can’t relax. If you have adult ADHD,
others might describe you as edgy or tense.
No. 7: Trouble Starting a Task
Just as children with ADHD often put off doing homework, adults with ADHD often drag their feet when starting tasks that require a lot of attention. This procrastination often adds to existing problems, including marital disagreements, workplace issues, and problems with friends.
No. 8: Lateness
There are many reasons for this. First, adults
with ADHD are often distracted on the way to an event, maybe realizing
the car needs to be washed and then noticing they’re low on gas, and
before they know it an hour has gone by. People with adult ADHD also
tend to underestimate how much time it takes to finish a task, whether
it’s a major assignment at work or a simple home repair.
No. 9: Angry Outbursts
ADHD often leads to problems with controlling
emotions. Many people with adult ADHD are quick to explode over minor
problems. Often, they feel as if they have no control over their
emotions. Many times, their anger fades as quickly as it flared, long
before the people who dealt with the outburst have gotten over the
incident.
No. 10: Prioritizing Issues
Often, people with adult ADHD mis-prioritize,
failing to meet big obligations, like a deadline at work, while spending
countless hours on something insignificant.
Getting a Diagnosis
If you think you have adult ADHD, get examined by a trained and experienced mental health
professional. It can be hard to diagnose because some possible symptoms
-- like poor concentration or motivation, or relationship problems --
can also be signs of other conditions. Depression or substance abuse can have similar symptoms. Once you get checked out, you can get the best help for you and start feeling better.
Link: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/10-symptoms-adult-adhd
