Do I have ADHD? Symptoms and Diagnosis in Adults

“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” is a tendency to be hasty or consistently show an above-average level of energy. Hyperactive actions that most would not be considered as “normal behaviour” is often assumed to be a mental health condition. ADHD is a mental health condition that stands for “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” (ADHD for brevity). Adults and children alike can have this disorder where Medication for ADHD is available to treat Adult ADHD. Keep reading to learn how to check if you have ADHD symptoms and Diagnosis.

ADHD diagnosed individuals often need professional help. This can be either psychiatry for medication or psychology for counselling. Those who suffer from this disorder experience trouble in staying focused. The attention time tends to be short. Impatience brews they go through from one task to another. Most do not and cannot sit still for long periods of time. For someone who has ADHD, fidgeting becomes quite normal.

Once known as Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD, The American Psychiatric Association released DSM-5 in May 2013, changing ADD into ADHD. ADD, on the other hand, is the inability of a person to focus, but has no hyperactive tendencies.

To date, scientists have not been able to identify the causes of this disorder. However, evidence exists that genetics do contribute to ADHD. Scientists have done studies. Studies show that 3 out of 4 adults who suffer from ADHD have a relative with the same disorder. Outside of this, there are also outer factors that contribute to the development of ADHD. The factors that contribute to an early childhood onset of ADHD may vary. ADHD may be caused by premature birth, brain injury, mother smoking, or deep stress during pregnancy. The same factors are credited to Adult ADHD.

For the most part, people would assume that there is only one type of ADHD. That is actually not true. There are different types:

• 1. Inattentive –
  This type of ADHD is what an ADD diagnosis would refer to. A person who has trouble focusing on a task, but has no hyperactive tendencies.
• 2. Hyperactive/Impulsive –
  This type is specific to a person who has trouble or is unable to focus. The person is also prone to distraction. Maybe impulsive and hyperactive.
• 3. Combined –
  This type is a mixture of both the inability to focus with hyperactive tendencies.

Are you suspecting that you suffer from ADHD? Here are a few symptoms that may help you come up with your own checklist. After listing your own observations, you may then discuss the details with your doctor. If your doctor sees a probable cause or some basis for your observation, a referral may be made for you. You will need to secure a referral from your GP in order to see a mental health specialist. These symptoms of ADHD do apply to adults, too. Look for the following:

1. Easily distracted.
2. Very forgetful.
3. Has a tendency to be very careless with acts and deeds because of the inability to focus on tasks.
4. Paying complete and total attention is a struggle if not impossible.
5. Does not or simply cannot follow simple instructions.
6. Has trouble finishing activities or tasks.
7. Easily sidetracked or disturbed by the slightest of a nuisance.
8. Dreads tasks that would take hours to finish, like assignments, tests, or any activities that would require long periods of sitting still in one place.
9. Misplaces things.
10. Always on the go.
11. Excessive talking.
12. Fidgets, taps, or squirms in their seat.
13. Intrudes and interrupts others consistently and constantly.

How to check if you have ADHD? The discovery of Adult ADHD Diagnosis surfaces either because a person’s family or the person himself/herself has observed some behaviour that they may find odd.

This disorder may be a little different from a child who suffers from ADHD. An adult’s mental maturity allows room for control and composure as opposed to a child. It would be easier for an adult who suffers to control his or her movement as opposed to a child who sees nothing wrong with just not paying attention and jumping from one place to another. ADHD medication is available. Prior to being given scripts for ADHD, a person must submit to an ADHD test. If you want to know how to check if you have an ADHD diagnosis, you can attend testing which can be conducted by a mental health care specialist.

ADHD is a mental health disorder, therefore professional help must be considered. It is important to know that Medication is available, but only a mental health care specialist can prescribe such medication. Options are available. A person simply needs to reach out to their GP so that a referral may be made out. To be seen by a mental health professional, a referral from a GP is needed. This is particularly important if a person requires the help of a specialist. Online telehealth psychiatry has been gaining popularity since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. One does not even need to leave home to get professional help. Adult ADHD can lead to serious impacts on a person’s work-life balance. Get help. Treatment is available for those who need it.