Symptoms of Adult ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often discussed in the media. It is important to note, that these behavioral issues it does not only affect childhood but adults as well. Recent research suggests that genes and heredity, the foods we eat, and our environment play a significant role in the development of adult ADHD.
Symptoms of Adult ADHD
Adults who are eventually diagnosed with ADHD have always "sensed" that something was off, but were too embarrassed or ashamed to seek help. The many signs still went unnoticed by others:
- Reading maps, books, or magazines is challenging for you because you have difficulty focusing your attention.
- Disorganized, messy, and disorganized spaces are always present in the home, office, and/or personal space.
- It’s challenging to complete tasks and projects.
- Mental fog or haze.
- Friends and family members notice me being scatterbrained.
- Symptoms have been present since childhood.
- Other family members also have attention issues or suffer from depression or anxiety.
Adults may also take the Conners Test in addition to this list of symptoms. In many cases, the test is regarded as superior to neuropsychiatric testing because it is considered the gold standard. Clinical diagnosis of ADHD does not usually require neuropsychiatric testing (unless a child has learning disabilities)
.
You may find out more about the Conners test here.
Other Disorders That Mimic ADHD
It’s also important to mention that there are other disorders and conditions that exhibit similar symptoms to ADHD:
- Menopause
- Sleep apnea
- Insomnia
- Chemotherapy
- Certain prescription medications such as antibiotics and blood pressure medication
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Head injuries
Getting an Accurate Diagnosis
While you can try and diagnose yourself, your best course of action is to find a trained therapist who can take a detailed history and determine if your symptoms are truly from ADHD or something else. Should you be diagnosed with adult ADHD, you will want to work with your therapist to come up with the right treatment plan.
Your plan may include a combination of therapeutic strategies such as medication, nutrition, behavioral therapy, exercise, and joining a support group. Finding the right treatment plan for you will take a bit of research, planning, and testing. But once you find your individual strategies, you will be able to manage your ADHD symptoms and live a happy and productive life.
If you are interested in getting diagnosed and exploring treatment options, please be in touch. We would be more than happy to discuss how we may be able to help.