You Might Have Adult ADHD If ...
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often what some people joke about when they can’t focus at work or forget what they were going to say. The “I must have ADD” defense is almost as popular as saying “Oops, I'm having a senior moment”. However, you may wish to take it seriously if you find yourself saying it very often.
The National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov) explains ADHD this way: “ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).”
In a recent article on AOL Health, "Adult ADHD: 15 Signs You May Have It", the author reported that approximately 4 percent of adults are known to have ADHD, but many others may have it and never get diagnosed.
While almost everybody has problems concentrating once in a while, ADHD is a real condition for adults who probably had it as a child. Doctors or teachers were not as aware of the condition 25 or 30 years ago as they are today, and therefore, did not pick up on the signs.
Opting for a serious take on Jeff Foxworthy’s “You might be a redneck” one-liners, you might have adult ADHD if you:
are always unorganized
are a reckless driver
have continuous relationship problems
are easily distracted
don’t listen well
often feel restless or fidgety
are a procrastinator
are chronically late
frequently forget things
have angry outbursts
don’t prioritize well
have mood swings
are overly sociable or anti-social
smoke or abuse drugs
have poor work or academic performance
have low-esteem
ScienceDaily.com also reported evidence that ADHD can run in families with poor emotional control or a control known as deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR).
"Our research offers strong evidence that heritable factors influence how we control our emotions," says Craig Surman, MD, of the MGH Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD Program, the study's lead author.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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