The official definition of ADHD is described as a “Disruptive Behavior Disorder” where high levels of inattention, hyperactivity or a combination are constantly present in an individual. Adult ADHD symptoms are different to that of a child with ADHD. However please don’t be scared, the official term sounds MUCH worse than reality.
Here are 5 key ADHD symptoms that adults with ADHD experience:
1. Inability to Concentrate.
Lack of concentration has many implications. For example, losing track of conversations can mean important information is missed. Distractedness has implications at work and study. As well as missing information, you can experience resistance to things that need a deep level of concentration. This trait can cause tension in relationships as people can misinterpret it as lack of interest.
2. Lack of organization
Problems in planning tasks, personal organization and time management can result in labels being given such as “lazy” or “lacking in self-discipline” and “disorganized”. Often arriving late, hurried and ill-prepared, over committing and leaving tasks unfinished, the sufferer may feel unorganized and overwhelmed with resulting low self-esteem. ADHD adults find it hard to set up and stay with a routine.
3. Poor memory and Forgetfulness.
Memory and forgetfulness can result in important possessions, such as passports, wallets and purses, laptops and palm pilots being lost or misplaced. Attending meetings, appointments and lectures punctually can be a real problem; sometimes they can be forgotten altogether.
4. Confusion and trouble thinking clearly
Adults with ADHD find it hard to perform up to their intellectual capability. There are difficulties with intense learning situations such as lectures and in-depth reading. There can be errors in spelling and math. Because of the tendency to become side-tracked, information can go unseen, resulting in mistakes at work. Often it can be difficult to maintain a job.
5. Depression and low self esteem.
Because the world is set up for people without ADHD, life can be challenging, and depression, anxiety and low self-esteem are often features in a person with ADHD.
As you are reading this list of ADHD symptoms please don’t feel depressed. There are many ways to manage your symptoms and lead a rich and wonderful life and this blog has lots of great ways to do this.
Im a 33 yr old man that has dealt with all these signs of ADHD my whole life, and it has destroyed my life in many, many ways. Starting with being a single bachelor my whole life, and with no type of partner it makes life that more challenging for me to do everything on my own. And directly the same problem is holding me back on ever pursuing a relationship with someone. But with all that said, im an extremely talented chef and leader in the restaurant business, its my safe haven, its what I love to do, but I also believe its what helps me with my ADHD, in ways of that im so active in my job.
As i read this article, i can absolutely relate to the topics being mentioned. The subject of forgetfulness is so frustrating to me that at times i question my sanity. When i read a particular passage in a book today, two to three days later i can’t recall if i read that story or the passage unless i re read it and something seems familiar to me.
The disorganization in my life makes me feel as if i am unbalanced, i feel that what i want to accomplish will never be fulfilled because i don’t know how to get to that level of success.
In the previous blogs i read about setting goals for myself by writing it down etc… however; i find that i am unable to write down and follow the goals i wish to set for myself, especially when i find myself getting impatient with myself and the process. I mean i know in my mind that i wish to Get my Bachelors in Social Work, i know that i may have some form of a learning disability in math, and other things going on but how can i do a step by step process to help me in reaching my full potential that i do believe that i have?
I am saddened and at the same time discouraged because i want to be in control of my life, yet i cannot grasp that control that is escaping me each time i reach for it.
and we often look and ARE so much younger than others of the same age without adhd – which is often half as much fun as it sounds!
great book hope i will make it to work through it