How do I know if I have Adult ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)  is a long-term chronic developmental difference that affects the parts of the brain that control a person’s ability of attention, impulses and concentration. Common symptoms are short attention span, restlessness, hyperactivity, aggression, constant fidgeting and being impulsive. People suffering from this condition lack the filters to ignore what is going on around them resulting in a lack of focus. It can occur to any person of all intellectual abilities and is common in people with learning difficulties. so it is not just an inability to pay attention from a broad perspective it’s an inability of the brain to control attention. Children with ADHD generally have a decreased level of brain arousal, which in turn lowers their ability to screen out distractions like noise in the hallway, movement outside, or even their own inner thoughts and feelings. That can moreover affect a student’s ability to concentrate and focus, pay attention, listen, or put effort into schoolwork. ADHD brains are naturally low on dopamine and norepinephrine, which control brain arousal, attention and concentration levels. Other people may find that, when the situation demands it, they can “buckle down” to all distractions and force their brains to focus. Some scientific research has indicated that genetic factors, family education, environment and dietary habits have some major associations with people suffering from ADHD. If You have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder then, you may notice that you have strong and very unpredictable emotional reactions to things that other people seem to take in stride. Heightened, over-the-top emotions with the disorder are very common for people carrying this disease, and the reaction can be in both positive and negative situations. It is also not unusual for a person with ADHD to feel physically hypersensitive to touch, sounds, light, and even of the tags on clothing. 

Many people with ADHD have reduced symptoms as they grow older, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that may interfere with their daily functioning. In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention at work, impulsiveness and restlessness behaviour. And these Symptoms may range from mild to severe cases.

Many adults with ADHD aren’t really aware that they have it — they just know that everyday tasks are somehow challenging for them. Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize things, leading them to miss deadlines and forget meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience to aggressive and impatient behaviour leading to mood swings and outbursts of anger.

Adult ADHD symptoms 

It includes the following:

• Impulsiveness
• Disorganization and problems in prioritizing
• Poor time management skills
• Problems in focusing on the task
• Trouble in multitasking
• Excessive activeness  or restlessness
• Poor at planning
• Low frustration tolerance level
• Frequent mood swings
• Problems following through, completing and organising tasks
• Short temper
• Trouble coping with stress and other Coexisting conditions

Although ADHD doesn’t cause any serious psychological or developmental problems, still other disorders can occur along with ADHD, making treatment more challenging. 

These include:

• Mood disorders. Generally, adults with ADHD may also suffer from depression, bipolar disorder or other mood disorders. The mood problems do not necessarily occur directly due to ADHD, but the repeated pattern of failures and frustrations may worsen the condition of depression.
• Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders occur in many adults with ADHD. Anxiety disorders generally cause overwhelming emotional worry, nervousness and other symptoms. Anxiety can be made worse by the challenges and drawbacks caused due to ADHD.
• Other psychiatric disorders. Adults with ADHD are at greater risk of many psychiatric disorders, such as personality disorders, intermittent explosive disorder and other substance use disorders.
• Learning disabilities.  Some Adults with ADHD may score lower in academic areas than would be expected for their age, intelligence and level of education. Learning disabilities can include major problems with understanding and communication. 

Major Challenges faced with Adult ADHD 

If you have ADHD, you are likely to have the following troubles  :

• Anxiety
• Chronic boredom
• Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
• Depression
• Trouble concentrating when reading
• Trouble controlling anger
• Problems at work
• Impulsiveness
• Low tolerance for frustration
• Low self-esteem
• Mood swings
• Poor organization skills
• Procrastination
• Relationship problem
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Low motivation

These symptoms may affect you a lot, in your overall development

Problems at Work

• An individual with ADHD is likely to change jobs a lot and perform poorly at work. 
• Be less happy and satisfied with their jobs and have fewer successes at work
• Have too many Problems in Life

Problem at life

• Likely to Smoke cigarettes
• May use alcohol or drugs more often
• Have less money
• Have psychological trouble like being depressed or anxiety symptoms

Relationship Problems

• Have many marital problems
• Likely to Get separated and divorced more often
• Often have multiple marriages

Most adults with ADHD have always known that they think differently from normal people. They were told by parents, teachers, spouses, and friends that they did not fit the common mould of earth and that they had better shape up in a hurry if they wanted to make something of themselves.

Many people with ADHD can’t screen out the basic sensory input. Sometimes this is related to only one sensory realm, such as hearing understanding the touch identifying some distinct smell. In fact, the phenomenon is called hypocausts (amplified hearing), even when the disruption comes from another of the five senses. 

Here are some examples

• The slightest sound in the house prevents them from falling asleep and overwhelms their ability to disregard it.
• Any movement, no matter how small, is distracting and can make them uncomfortable 
• Certain smells, which are barely noticeable to others, cause people with ADHD  to leave the room.

Individuals with ADHD have their worlds constantly disrupted by the experiences of others who are neurotically unaware of them. This disruption enforces the perception of the ADHD person as being odd, cranky demanding, and high-maintenance.  It is their normal notion of being different, and that difference is perceived as unacceptable by others and is made a part of how they are regarded. It is a part of their identity so we should accept that and make them comfortable to adjust with us. 

They are all cautious to move out and join normal people they are constantly hesitant to talk so it’s our duty to make them comfortable and praise them for their abilities acknowledge their outcomes and accept them as normal people.