Life was chaotic for Alyson English. “My mind constantly raced from one thing to the next. I assumed that’s how it was for everyone,” says the 33-year-old mom from Huntsville, Ala. Indeed, that’s how it was for English’s son, too, when he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at age 6. “While researching his diagnosis, I realized I had the same symptoms when I was a child, and I still had them,” says English, who was finally diagnosed with ADHD when she was 31.
An estimated 9 million adults have ADHD, and that number is expected to grow thanks to better diagnostic tools and a heightened awareness about the disorder in both kids and adults. “We weren’t as aware of ADHD decades ago, which means many adults were never properly diagnosed when they were children,” says Zinia Thomas, M.D., a psychiatrist in St. Louis. While kids with the disorder are thought of as fidgety, hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive, ADHD looks different in adults.
Signs of Adult ADHD
Distractibility
“The lives of adults with untreated ADHD are littered with half-finished tasks,” says Dr. Thomas. That’s because they procrastinate, underestimate a project’s scope or get easily sidetracked.
Poor organization
Adults with ADHD have rooms and work spaces that are strewn with papers; their keys and important documents “vanish;” and bills and appointments often get overlooked.
Rudeness
Poor impulse controls manifest as interruptions, excessive talking and inappropriate, sometimes volatile, reactions.
Accidents
Adults with ADHD are four times more likely to be in a car crash because they’re easily distracted.
Relationship Woes
Adults with untreated ADHD are twice as likely to be divorced or separated.
Work Struggles
Frequent job changes and poor performance reviews are common because it’s difficult to manage tasks and stay organized.
Family History
One-fourth of kids diagnosed with ADHD have a parent with the disorder.
Getting Help
If these symptoms sound familiar, talk to your primary doctor who can refer you to a mental health specialist such as a psychologist or psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. Medication is a treatment option — for some it can be a life-changer — but it isn’t always necessary. Therapists, life coaches and professional organizers can help adults with ADHD develop better time management and organizational skills with or without meds. The result? “What I thought was anxiety was actually ADHD,” says English. “Once I had the right diagnosis and treatment, my life got a complete organizational makeover, which made everyone in my family happier.”
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I have ADHD, and have tried explaining it to my spouse, but I don’t think he really gets it. Is there something I could print, or something online that would explain it to him in a simple way? Please note, this is adult ADHD.
I have a bunch of problems with me from suspected adult ADHD, brain fog, social anxiety, mild depression, memory problems, and possible autism. I have never been diagnosed with anything as I never had the courage to see someone. Please respond only if you know for sure. Thank you!
Iv just been diagnosed with adult ADHD and Im just wondering if there is anyone else living in Birmingham UK who has it?
Im currently taking strattera but am thinking of trying dexedrine.
I am on medication for Adult ADHD and Depression and I’ve been pondering on the idea of starting a charity for people with Developmental Disabilities, Learning Disabilties, Emotional and Mental Handicaps and difficulties like mine. I just don’t know how to go about doing it or where to go to or who to see about it. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Do all adult ADHD medications act as an appetite suppressant or is it just Ritalin and Adderall. I’ve been diagnosed recently and I’m happy with my body/weight I’m trying to find a medication that won’t make me lose.
I have adult ADHD, and was recently within last two week or so, put on a new inhaled steroid for my asthma, and i am wondering if there is a connection between the two because i have noticed that my ADHD has gotten much worse recently, and the only change i can think of is the new medication.
My husband has a serious case of adult adhd and is a meth addict! He says it calms him. he has been to doctor after doctor with no sucsess. I know its an excuse, but i wonder if it was his intention in the begining? Also dose anyone know of any adult adhd speicalist in california? he is curently in a drug program, but i think he needs to address the underlying issue.
I’m in my mid 20′s. I started college in 2000 as a CS major. I cruised along making the Deans list several times. After 2 years I was set to graduate a year early untill I was stricken with a bout of depression and had to move back home after a dissasterous 3rd year. I tried to complete my degree at a university at home but found out I HATE programing and switched to physics. The later part of my life I’ve come to suspect I have adult ADHD but not too sure, just a suspicion on my study habits (I NEED 5 hours to get 1 hour of work done when I’m able to do this i do GREAT, if not i fail, WAY to easly distracted). Well I’m going on my 8th year and its getting more depressing and ALOT harder to concentrate. I’m in monster debt and quiting is no longer an option, nor is the military because I’ll be 26 soon. Am I just an idiot? Still have a 3.0 GPA, just can’t do anything right.
I have been taking 8 1000mg pills daily for treatment of my adult adhd. It seems to have really helped but I am concerned I could be cloging my veins and arteries with ldl cholesterol. Is this dose harmful? Thanks!
I have recently been diagnosed with adult ADHD. I am wondering if my ADHD diagnosis will in any way affect my chances of getting into med school? Also, does anyone know if there are doctors who themselves have/had ADHD? I tried searching it up on the internet, but not much luck.
Please respond, someone. Thank you very much in advance.