Written by: Yujia Ding
Edited by: Benjamin Hewitt
Do you often find it hard to focus, act without thinking, feel restless, or stay organized? Have you ever thought you may have ADHD? While we often hear about kids with ADHD, many adults have it too; It can make school, work, and friendships tough, but there are ways to solve some of these issues if you are afflicted with ADHD. If you think you may be, it could be a good idea to talk to your doctor about a diagnosis (National Institute of Mental Health).
ADHD is a condition in which people often get distracted, are hyperactive, or act without thinking. It often starts when they are kids and can last into adulthood.(National Institute of Mental Health) ADHD can make daily tasks and friendships hard for those afflicted. ADHD can present in adults in ways such as s having a hard time focusing, being overly active, or making hasty decisions. This can cause problems in their relationships, at work or school, and affect their self-confidence. Sometimes, people don't know they have ADHD until they're grown up. For adults, they might not be as restless as kids with ADHD, but they still might act without thinking or have trouble focusing.(Mayo Clinic)To help adults afflicted with ADHD, medicine, therapy, or getting help for other related mental health problems, are all possible solutions.
Adults with ADHD might find it hard to focus, can act without thinking, and feel restless. As they age, some might present fewer symptoms, but others still face big challenges daily. Many Adults don't even know they have ADHD and just feel as though daily tasks are especially tough for them. Other presentations of ADHD include getting distracted easily, forgetting plans, being agitated and impatient, or even getting really angry quicker than someone with ADHD might(Mayo Clinic).
Other symptoms of Adult ADHD include(Mayo Clinic):
Acting on a whim
Being messy or having poor organization
Poor time management
Finding it hard to stick to one task
Difficulty multitasking
Always feeling on the move
Not planning ahead
Getting upset easily
Shifting moods frequently
Not finishing initiated activities
Being quick to anger
Struggling in stressful situations.
What causes ADHD?
Scientists aren't exactly sure why people have ADHD. They suggest that genes may play a large role in it, however, genes may not be the sole cause. Besides genes, things like where someone lives, if they’ve had a brain injury, the foods they eat, or even relationships with their family and friends might be connected to getting ADHD. (National Institute of Mental Health)
How can we differentiate typical behavior from ADHD-influenced behavior?
Everyone can feel distracted or impatient sometimes: it’s normal for people. However,if these problems have been constant even from adolescence and affect many parts of your life, such as your ability to function normally and successfully, it might be ADHD. It's harder to identify ADHD in adults because it can look like other problems, like anxiety; plus, many adults with ADHD have comorbidities or other diagnoses such as depression. (National Institute of Mental Health)
How can ADHD impact Adults?
Some adults with ADHD never realize they have it. They might struggle with simple things like getting organized, keeping a job, or remembering appointments. Everyday activities, like getting ready for work or doing tasks on time, can be really hard for them as well. They might have had issues in school or with friends in the past. These adults can seem like they’re always on the go and try to do many things at once, but often without success. They might look for quick solutions instead of planning for the long-term consequences of their decisions. Some people don't find out they have ADHD until they're older. Maybe no one noticed it when they were kids, it wasn't very severe, or they managed okay until adulthood made things harder. For instance, some young adults might find college tough because they need to focus more. It's never too late to test if you have ADHD and get help. Getting the right treatment can make life much smoother for adults and others involved with them. (National Institute of Mental Health)
When should you see a doctor?
If you constantly have problems like those listed above and they make daily life challenging, speak with your doctor to see if it could be ADHD. (Mayo Clinic)
How do doctors find out if adults have ADHD?
ADHD starts when people are kids and can last into grown-up years. To test if an adult has ADHD, doctors look for signs of ADHD in adolescence, usually before the age of 12. Now, as adults, they should still show at least five of the core signs of ADHD, such as being easily distracted or being super active and acting without thinking. These signs should present in different places and situations, like at home or work, and cause functionality problems in their daily life. If you think you might have ADHD, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out treatment options and can get you in touch with a specialist. The NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) has some advice on how to talk to your doctor about this. Sometimes, other problems like stress, health issues, or other mental problems can look like ADHD, so it's essential to have a detailed check-up. The doctor might ask about your feelings, prior health, and any issues with things like alcohol or drugs. They'll also want to know about your behavior as a young person and might talk to people who know you well, like family or close friends. They might use special questionnaires or tests that test cognitive or motor functions, like your memory or decision-making skills. These tests also help to see if there are other learning problems associated with a possible ADHD diagnosis. (National Institute of Mental Health)
How do we treat ADHD?
Different ways to treat ADHD include medicine such as stimulants. Stimulants are one of the most common ADHD drugs and they can really help, but they may have side effects. It's important to talk with a doctor to see how these drugs are working and if there are any problems.
Non-stimulants are another form of ADHD drugs Sometimes, doctors give antidepressants, but they aren't officially approved for ADHD. It is important to check with other medicines that someone seeking an ADHD diagnosis may be taking: If someone is taking medicine for other health problems like high blood pressure or depression, it's crucial to tell the doctor because ADHD medicines might not work well with them. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Talking and support is crucial to dealing with ADHD. Even if talking with a therapist doesn't fix the main ADHD symptoms, it can help people deal with everyday life better. If someone has ADHD and other issues like anxiety, therapy can be useful. Therapists can teach adults with ADHD how to plan better and deal with distractions,help break big jobs into smaller steps and give tips to control sudden actions. Some adults might also benefit from talking to a coach who gives advice on managing day-to-day tasks. Natural Treatments are another treatment option to ADHD: some try natural methods to handle ADHD, but there's no strong proof that these work. If you want more info on this, check the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health's website (https://www.nccih.nih.gov/) (National Institute of Mental Health).
Where can I get help?
You can find mental health services and treatment programs in your area using the online tool from SAMHSA. Also, NIMH has a webpage called Help for Mental Illnesses with more resources. If you or a friend is in a bad place or thinking about harming themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or chat with them online. What can I do for myself? Medicine and talking to a therapist help a lot with ADHD. Here are other constructive things you can do to alleviate the stress and symptoms of ADHD (National Institute of Mental Health):
Work out, especially if you feel restless.
Eat healthy food regularly.
Sleep well. Turn off devices an hour before sleeping and try to sleep 7-9 hours.
Get better at managing time and staying organized. Make lists or use reminders.
Spend time with friends, especially ones who get what you're going through with ADHD.
Follow your medicinal directions and stay away from substances like alcohol, inhalants, and drugs.
What if I feel alone with my ADHD?
Talk to your family, friends, and workmates about your ADHD. They'll understand what you’re going through and may try to alter situations to make you feel more comfortable. Families or couples can go to therapy to learn more about ADHD, and there are groups where adults with ADHD can meet and support each other. (National Institute of Mental Health)
References
“Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 25 Jan. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878.
“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: What You Need to Know.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.
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