Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that interferes with daily life. People with ADHD show a pattern of symptoms that cannot be managed by willpower alone. This brain disorder can present itself in many ways. Some common symptoms depend on the ADHD individual’s age.
For years, ADHD has been talked about a lot in medical journals and newspapers. But many people still don’t understand ADHD. There’s a common misconception that children are the only ones with this disorder. But ADHD is a brain disorder that can impact people at any stage of life. Many adults are diagnosed with this disorder.
These individuals may have lived their entire childhood without being diagnosed or receiving treatment. Some people dismiss symptoms of ADHD as personal failings, laziness, or rudeness. A lot of people avoid getting treatment because it’s hard to recognize a disorder when you don’t know the signs. If you think you may have ADHD, you should know that it is treatable. Your symptoms can improve with the help of a medical professional. You may have ADHD if you experience some of the symptoms below on a routine basis:
1. Difficulty Focusing
Difficulty focusing is a hallmark sign of this disorder. Those with ADHD have a difficult time focusing that’s not limited to extreme circumstances or stresses. They have difficulty focusing on a regular basis. Even when it comes to routine tasks that are expected or required to lead a normal life.
Inability to focus can hurt job performance, be damaging to your health, impact your finances, cause accidents, and other issues. People who can’t focus on daily tasks and events need to seek medical evaluation. While ADHD is a common cause of difficulty focusing, this symptom can also be a sign of something more serious. If you have difficulty focusing, consult with a medical professional. Your ability to focus should not interfere with your life on a regular basis.
2. Anxiety
Many anxieties are part of a normal, healthy life. But frequent, debilitating anxiety can be a symptom of a brain disorder. Anxiety can be its own mental illness, but it is often found in adults who have ADHD. Since each disorder can complicate the symptoms of the other, you need to work with a medical professional to determine the proper treatment.
Certain medications may not react well with others, and you will need to monitor your conditions closely. Approximately half of all adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. A common pairing like this can be referred to as a comorbid disorder, which is just a medical term for disorders that are likely to go hand in hand.
3. Forgetfulness
Everyone has a moment of forgetfulness. We can’t remember everything all the time. But frequent forgetfulness that has an impact on your life is damaging and one of the major signs of this disorder. Forgetfulness can cause you to neglect something important, like feeding your cat or bringing your ID to work. At best, forgetfulness is annoying and inconvenient. But at worst it can be life-threatening. Imagine working in a factory and forgetting to turn off a large, hazardous piece of machinery. It’s not something to take lightly. If you feel you’ve been forgetting a lot of things lately, consult with your doctor.
4. Mood Swings
Mood swings are a major symptom of ADHD. It’s important to understand that your mood swings are signs of an issue. You may experience mood swings because you are frustrated with other symptoms, like an inability to focus or a hard time sitting still. But this symptom itself can have devastating impacts on your work life and personal relationships.
It’s difficult to sustain normal relationships and interactions if you’re unpredictable. Others do not appreciate being the target of an outburst, and public mood swings can be embarrassing for you and others. You do not need to suffer through these difficult moments alone.
5. Fidgeting
If sitting through a movie or long meeting drives you crazy, you may be experiencing significant life stress. If you find these types of situations trying on a regular basis, and you frequently fidget your way through long sit-down events, this may be a sign of ADHD. Fidgeting related to this disorder is obvious.
You may find it very challenging to sit still at your desk all day. You may need to constantly get up and move around, even if you know you don’t have time to take a break. If you have a constant urge to fidget, speak with your doctor. Fidgeting should not interfere with your routine.
6. Lack of Restraint
Self-control is an important life skill for children and adults. All people have thoughts or ideas that need to be regulated. Not every mental response needs to turn into words or actions. Some things are better kept to yourself. If you find yourself unable to contain a thought or action, your lack of restraint may be a sign of this disorder.
A few signs of lack of restraint include blurting out something rude that you would otherwise not say, sending unprofessional emails, or doing something physically extraneous. Lack of restraint can have a serious impact on your ability to maintain and begin relationships.
7. Short Attention Span
Having a short attention span will hinder your ability to focus and learn. It’s one of the major signs of ADHD, and it’s a symptom that can be treated. You may recognize you have a short attention span if you frequently daydream or lose focus during class or a meeting.
You may also find that your friends, family, and loved ones point out your short attention span to you. If you frequently hear people tell you that you’re not listening or you’re not paying attention, you may need to investigate the issue.
8. Irritability
Irritability is sometimes understandable. If you’re going through a significant life change or have a major stressor in your life, irritability is a normal expectation. But if life is going well and you have nothing truly concerning, constant irritability may be a sign of ADHD.
Like other symptoms, irritability that interferes with your ability to lead a normal life is problematic. It can have serious impacts on your ability to work and maintain relationships with loved ones.
9. Excitability
Excitability can show itself in many ways. It’s not necessarily positive or negative. Excitability instead refers to the extreme nature of your ability to respond to and exhibit emotions. You may show signs of excitability by being impulsive or unpredictable. People with ADHD frequently demonstrate an extreme in emotional response.
Volatile behavior can get you in trouble. If people are afraid to approach you or you sense others seem intimidated by your actions, you may have an issue with excitability. And this is a symptom of ADHD.
10. Anger
Anger is a natural response to some things in life. But if you find anger to be one of your regular emotions, it’s time to get some help. Anger issues are real and threatening. You may be unable to control your emotions, and if you act upon an angry thought you could find yourself in physical or legal danger.
You may even hurt others. Some outbursts are typical in childhood development. But routine anger issues are often a sign of something worse. Have your issues evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist who can determine whether your angry feeling.
