Clarifying ADHD for All
Whether you are in school, the working world, or just a person on the internet, you probably have heard the term ADHD, or maybe you or someone you know experiences it. There is a lot of information spread about ADHD, but what is true? What even is ADHD? Why does it matter to you?
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder. There are two main categories of symptoms or experiences for diagnosis of ADHD: inattention and hyperactivity/ impulsivity. Simply put, inattention is the difficulty of focusing on one task for a certain amount of time, struggling with distractions, having a hard time paying attention to details, and losing track of time. Hyperactivity shows itself with restlessness, difficulty staying in one place for an amount of time, and a hard time completing sedentary tasks. Impulsivity refers to having a hard time waiting, impatience, interrupting, acting without considering the outcome, and risky behaviors (anything that increases the chance of disease or injury, like substance use or risky sexual behavior).
Common Symptoms
ADHD can present itself in a variety of different ways. These symptoms can result from multiple causes or symptomology and could be included in different categories. Below are some common symptoms that people experience:
Inattention:
Daydreaming
Becoming easily distracted
Zoning out during conversations or actions that need attention
Losing items on an everyday basis like keys, glasses, wallet, etc.
Placing items in areas where they do not belong
Difficulty remembering dates and times of events and due dates
Losing track of time when preparing for an event
Inability to gauge the amount of time something will take
Difficulty following a conversation or staying on topic
Inability to reach deadlines
Forgetting events and dates
Rereading sections of text due to lack of information retention
Hyperactivity:
Talking too fast
Fidgeting or nervous habits like leg bouncing or nail biting
Difficulty remaining still
Speaking on top of others
Fleeting thoughts
Trouble following directions
Impatience
Catastrophizing
Impulsivity:
Instigating arguments or fights
Impulsive behaviors like eating, spending, drinking
Gambling irresponsibly
Risky decisions surrounding sex
Saying hurtful comments without thinking of their impact
Frequently interrupting people
Anger outbursts
Irritability
Irrational reactions to small frustrations
Other common symptoms:
Having a hard time showing active listening body language like eye contact and head nodding
Difficulty reading others’ body language
Difficulty prioritizing tasks, feeling as if they all have equal importance
Feeling overwhelmed or frozen when there are too many tasks to complete
Looking for new tasks to complete instead of everyday chores
Issues regulating emotions
Consistent Mood changes
Trouble reading others’ emotions
Difficulty fulfilling promises or commitments
How is ADHD diagnosed?
Distinguishing ADHD in adults can be a difficult task. A lot of the research completed regarding ADHD was done on boys in elementary school. There is still a lot more to learn about how ADHD presents itself in the adult population and women. Research is beginning to emerge that women tend to exhibit different symptoms than men. In addition, research is showing that ADHD symptoms differ in children compared to adults.
It can be really easy to see the signs of ADHD and diagnose yourself with the disorder. However, some symptoms of ADHD may be a result of another issue like anxiety or significant life events such as starting a new job, moving, or other transitions.
Diagnosing ADHD starts with noticing the symptoms you are experiencing and talking to your primary care physician about possible diagnoses. Your doctor can direct you to a professional who can begin the diagnosis process. These professionals include psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and family care doctors.
Once you make an appointment, the doctor will complete a series of assessments. These typically include a screening to determine if any other conditions could contribute to your symptoms. Questions about medical history, work, social life, and family life will be asked. Self-report rating scales are typically used to collect behavioral information about the symptoms you are experiencing. A diagnostic interview will also be completed, where you will be asked to talk about your symptoms and their daily impacts. Another interview will be completed with someone who knew you as a child, like a parent, teacher, or caregiver, to understand the symptoms you exhibited as a child. The final component of the assessment might include a physical exam to rule out other possible factors.
Following the assessment, you and your doctor will discuss the results from the assessment and what the next steps might look like to best fit your needs.
Treatment Options
Medications
One route to alleviating some symptoms is medications. Different types of medications are available; talking with your primary care doctor or psychiatrist will help you determine which one is right for you.
Therapy
Therapy is helpful in people with ADHD by first addressing possible co-occurring issues such as anxiety, daily stressors, problems regulating emotions, or other issues. In addition, creating goals surrounding your specific symptoms and a plan to reach them can be helpful. Finally, therapy can aid in addressing any relational issues that might be happening.
Helpful Strategies
Make short to-do lists and prioritize within these short lists.
Break overwhelming tasks down into as small steps as you need to make the task more manageable
Take advantage of your notes app! Write down reminders or important dates right away; don’t wait or say you will do it later
Create a realistic routine that you know you can follow
Lean on your support system, and ask for help when you need it
Be patient with yourself: making changes in your life is difficult and takes time
Take Aways
ADHD in adults is something that still requires further research, but it has a powerful impact on a person, no matter their age. Through assessment, you can find a diagnosis and a route of treatment that works best for you.
If you are searching for therapy, please reach out today!
References:
ADDA - Attention Deficit Disorder Association. (2024, September 9). https://add.org/
Hupfeld, K. E., Abagis, T. R., & Shah, P. (2018). Living “in the zone”: Hyperfocus in adult ADHD. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 11(2), 191–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-018-0272-y
Lefler, E. K., Flory, K., Canu, W. H., Willcutt, E. G., & Hartung, C. M. (2021). Unique considerations in the assessment of ADHD in college students. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 43(4), 352–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2021.1936462
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, January 25). Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350883
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: What you need to know. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-what-you-need-to-know
Article Contribution by Tessa Nicpon
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