Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that robs children and adults of their ability to focus and pay attention. Adults with ADHD are anxious and easily distracted making it harder for them to accomplish everyday tasks. In the United States it’s estimated that roughly 4 percent or 8 million adults have ADHD. However, very few adults are identified or treated.
While experts don’t know for sure what causes ADHD, they believe genes may play an important role. Early diagnosis is important. Here are 15 signs of adult ADHD:
- You’re restless: While children with ADHD can be overly rambunctious, adults are typically on edge and restless.
- You have a child diagnosed with ADHD: ADHD appears to run in the family. When one member is affect, there’s a 25 to 35 percent chance that someone else in the family does as well.
- You have relationship problems: Oftentimes adults with ADHD have a hard time transitioning from the “honeymoon” stage to a more stable and predictable relationship, conflict tend to emerge.
- You smoke: About 40% of adults with ADHD smoke, versus only 26% of the general population.
- You had academic problems in school: Was it hard for you to pay attention to the teacher? Many adult patients said they had to work twice as hard as the peers to get half as much done in school.
- You’re a procrastinator: Adult patients are the kings and queens of procrastination because they are under the gun and anxious, that’s when they can focus.
- You seek thrills: People with ADHD are often drawn to activities that are stimulating. They may engage in risky behaviors, like fast driving, gambling, and even extramarital affairs.
- You misplace things frequently: Do you often loss your phone, keys, or wallet? ADHD has been described as an underpowered state of consciousness.
- You’re bored on the job: We all have to do work that we don’t particularly enjoy but we still manage to find a way to finish the project. For people with ADHD, they have an even harder time accomplishing small tasks.
- You have a quick temper: Do you flip out one second and then quickly get over the next. This type of irritability could be a sign of ADHD.
- You have troubles completing tasks: Are the dished pilling up? Do you have over due bills? Failing to finish task can be a symptom of ADHD.
- You’re impulsive: Do you say what’s on your mind? Maybe you accidently blurt out things without considering the consequences. You act on an impulse, rather than thinking things through.
- You can’t relax: Being calm requires a quiet mind. A person with ADHD may have a hard time sitting through a movie with out getting up several times.
- You’re get distracted easily: With ADHD, sustaining focus is a real problem and a core feature of the disorder. Unimportant things—from external noises and movement to daydreams—grab your attention.
- You’re disorganized: Staying organized is a challenge for you. Take a second to look at your desk. Do you have mountain of papers cumulating the surface?
Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge is an adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment center for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 407-215-2519 for more information.
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