10 Signs of ADHD in Adults

It goes without saying, however, that hyperactivity is the number one symptom to look for in ADHD. Whether it is hyperactivity in the sense of moving all the time, not being able to sit still, or talking too much, all are ADHD related. For example, if you notice that you have a hard time sitting and reading a book, it could be because you have hyperactivity. Maybe your mind is always racing, and you just can't relax. 

This is something to bring up with your primary care physician, as they can give you a full exam. They will most likely talk with you about your symptoms and run any blood tests. It could be that you have hyperactivity because of an underlying anxiety condition or eating disorder, which is why it is good to be assessed by a doctor. He or she will be able to help you cover all the bases. 

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In addition to hyperactivity, ADHD also manifests in the form of fidgeting. Fidgeting is always feeling like you have to be doing something, peddling, working with your hands, or staying engaged somehow. Someone who fidgets might pace or obsessively crochet. If you always have to engage your hands or feet in doing something, it could be due to ADHD.

Fidgeting can interfere with daily life, as it can significantly improve your work. If you always feel like you have to be moving, you won't be able to care for your children, get work done, or accomplish any personal goals. Not being able to do the things that we need to do and want to do can be extremely frustrating. This is why it is important to reach out for support from doctors and therapists. 

3. Impulsivity

ADHD makes individuals extremely impulsive. Rather than being cautious, they tend to throw reason to the wind. This can be dangerous at times, especially in the realm of unsafe situations or alcohol use. If impulsivity is something you have observed in your own life, it is best to talk to someone about your actions and behaviors. Make a point of recording each time you make an impulsive decision, and go over it with your doctor. 

Over time, impulsivity can lead us to hurt ourselves or others. Lacking control or restraint in our behavior brings problems into our lives. This is why ADHD often causes social, life, and work issues in the lives of those who suffer from it. Never feel ashamed or as though these decisions are your fault. ADHD can make your brain function in a way that is not true to you. Seek out support and allow doctors to provide the treatment that you need. 

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As mentioned, ADHD makes you extremely impulsive. This causes a person to engage in risky behaviors. If you have noticed yourself engaging in risky behaviors, such as getting involved in extreme sports, drinking alcohol excessively, or being in unsafe situations, then it could be a sign that you are dealing with ADHD. Someone without ADHD would be able to walk away from risky behaviors; however, many people with ADHD find it hard to walk the other way. 

While obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) seems to be on the overly cautious side, ADHD falls within the borders of throwing caution to the wind. Continuing to engage in risky behaviors will place you at risk of worse disease outcomes as well as a lower quality of life. The good news is that medication and therapy can help with ADHD. Although the risky behaviors may continue for some time after you begin treatment or even increase over time, you will be able to combat them with what you have learned in therapy.

5. Difficulty Focusing

ADHD often causes a person to struggle with staying focused. Due to racing thoughts, it can be extremely hard to complete daily tasks. For instance, many people might be unable to complete their assignments because they cannot concentrate. Whenever we find ourselves in a situation such as this, we need to stop and think. 

Ask yourself, “Why am I having difficulty focusing?” Maybe it is because we are stressed over something we have to do later in the day. However, if we are finding that we are having difficulty focusing on a daily basis for no reason, it could be due to ADHD. Assessing the reason behind our difficulty with focusing will help us to know whether we might be dealing with ADHD. 

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Due to the thought processes in ADHD, remembering things can be next to impossible. This is because ADHD affects the brain’s working memory. If you have noticed you are misplacing things, forgetting where you downloaded files on your computer, or even forgetting to get to doctor appointments on time, it is worthwhile to consider ADHD as the cause of this forgetfulness.

7. Short Attention Span

Neurotransmitters are not functionally optimal in ADHD, which results in a shorter attention span. Individuals with ADHD will have a tougher time staying on task, getting assignments done, and paying attention in conversations. It is not because they don't care, it is because they cannot stay attentive. Their brain has moved on to something else. Whenever you notice this happening in your life, it could be time to talk with a doctor. 

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Racing thoughts are common for everyone from time to time, but when they start interfering with your daily life, they become a problem. When we struggle with racing thoughts, it can be difficult to get anything done. This is why those who have ADHD often perform poorly in school and work. The racing thoughts are severe enough to cause them to simply stop functioning. They cannot even compose an email without a racing thought circling through their mind. 

Racing thoughts won't be fully fixed without proper medication. This is true for most symptoms of ADHD. There is no way to treat ADHD homeopathically. Using seeds, flowers, or natural remedies will not help with ADHD. It is vital to talk with a doctor and get on the correct medications. Only the correct medications can help silence your racing thoughts. 

9. Irritability

Irritability is another common sign of ADHD in adults, as it can be frustrating to deal with all of the racing thoughts in your head. Irritability is often caused by neurotransmitter issues within the brain, which makes you more prone to lashing out at people. There may be times when you feel irritable at people for no reason. Although they didn't do anything personally against you, you are upset with them. This is due to ADHD and how it is functioning within your brain. 

Irritability can also be a sign of depression; therefore, it is important to talk to a professional. While we should be knowledgeable about signs and symptoms, we should refrain from self-diagnosis. Self-diagnosing isn't wise and will lead to incorrect findings. Talking to a trained doctor will help prevent any errors. 

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Everyone gets bored at times; however, ADHD boredom is more severe. You get bored even when you're involved in a task. Maybe you are working on a project at work, and in the middle of it, you lose interest. Unlike someone without ADHD who can carry on with the project despite losing interest, a person with ADHD will simply stop. No matter how hard you try, you cannot return to the project at hand.  

It is good to be aware of excessive boredom and to note it for your doctor. For now, try to stick with tasks that keep you engaged. Once you receive the proper diagnosis and treatment, you will be able to improve in your work. Continue to pay attention to any other symptoms you may encounter during the upcoming week, jot them down, and keep them somewhere for easy accessibility. 

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