8 Signs of ADHD You May Have And How to Manage It

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common mental disorder that is prevalent in children and can persist into adulthood. It is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and impulsiveness that inhibits a person’s ability to function. ADHD can lead to poor school or job performance, low self-esteem, or unstable relationships.

When ADHD comes to mind, most people picture a fidgety child who talks non-stop and has a lot of energy. While that’s not entirely wrong, it doesn’t paint the whole picture. In adults, the symptoms of ADHD can be more subtle — so subtle that many people go undiagnosed. In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, here are eight common ADHD symptoms and self-help strategies to minimize the effects.

impulsive behavior

Impulsivity is a core feature of ADHD, according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. IF you have ADHD you can be impulsive and act without considering the outcome. Financially, you may not make the best decisions. Sometimes you may impulsively buy things or make irresponsible financial decisions, such as B. Spend your retirement savings or take on debt.

ADHD impulsiveness doesn’t just stop with finances. You may be impulsive in your communication with others, such as talking too much or blurting out anything that comes to mind. You can also be impulsive in your life – quitting your job or going on a shopping spree.

Trouble prioritizing and organizing things

Staying organized can be difficult for anyone, but those with ADHD will have a harder time keeping track and completing them logically. That’s because ADHD is linked to weakened functioning of the prefrontal cortex, or the part of the brain that controls behavior, emotions, attention, and organization.

Someone with ADHD may jump from task to task because they’re excited about those things, not because it’s a logical order. It’s not just a personality trait; A 2018 study found that children with ADHD had deficits in their working memory. We use our short-term memory to store information. Once compromised, it can be difficult to create a plan and implement it.

Continue reading: 8 to-do list apps to help you get organized

Difficulties in time management

Another very common symptom of ADHD is Difficulties in time management. You may often be late or have trouble keeping to your schedule. Remember that time management differs from person to person. It’s not always tardiness or no-shows, but it can be more subtle, like procrastinating on tasks and working to tight deadlines. They can also be so forgetful on a regular basis that it disrupts work flow or damages relationships.

Continue reading: Work from home with ADD: Try these apps to stay at work

difficulty concentrating

Difficulty concentrating is one of the most well-known ADHD symptoms, caused by the reduced function of the prefrontal cortex. According to the DSM-5, a decreasing attention span is a core symptom of ADHD.

Anything can distract your focus from the task at hand – noises, people talking, or daydreams. Because of this lack of focus, you can miss important details, lose blocks of conversation, and have trouble completing tasks.

Hyper focus on tasks

People usually associate ADHD with functional impairments. However, there are adaptive traits of ADHD that are strengths. Some people experience hyperfocus with ADHD. Hyperfocus does not occur on any tasks. It usually happens when the person is enthusiastic about their work. Think of it as the difference between writing a term paper and playing video games.

Researchers suspect that hyperfocus arises from the difficulty of switching between tasks.

feel restless

being restless and fidgety This is what most people associate with ADHD. It’s one of the most common ways parents identify ADHD in their children, and with good reason. Restlessness occurs in children who are constantly moving or talking, but it still happens in adults; it just looks different. Adults With ADHD Symptoms Will Present More Subtly Than Children wriggling hands or feet, or getting up from their chairs frequently to do something else.

Continue reading: The 6 best fidget toys for anxiety

Difficulty controlling your emotions

Emotional sensitivity and trouble controlling emotions are other signs of ADHD. Rejection sensitive dysphoria is common in adults with ADHD. RSD is extreme emotional sensitivity that occurs when someone fears being criticized or rejected by someone else.

Another aspect of emotional control and ADHD can be a quick temper. Someone with ADHD can be extremely irritated but quickly let go. ADHD, along with mood disorders such as depressionbipolar and fear.

Complicated Relationships

The predominant ADHD symptoms—emotional sensitivity, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating—can strain relationships in professional, personal, and romantic situations. Emotional partners and friends of someone with ADHD may feel they are not getting enough attention, especially when there are instances where anniversaries or birthdays are forgotten. Common symptoms like talking about people and being bored or restless can make long-term relationships difficult.

It’s important that your partner understands what it’s like to live with ADHD and that you find solutions together. Open communication can help you prepare for bumps in the road and find a solution or compromise more easily.

Self-help tips for managing ADHD symptoms

If ADHD symptoms sound familiar to you, it may be worth taking an ADHD test to confirm. ADHD Tests are completed quickly and often online. Once you’ve taken the test, you should speak with a doctor to determine your next step.

There are treatment options for ADHD – cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are the most popular. Drugs for ADHD cannot stand alone. It needs to be used with counseling to ensure children and adults develop the skills necessary to manage their ADHD.

These tips can help you manage your ADHD symptoms on a daily basis:

• Use technology to stay organized: Hold on List of tasks and mark them as you move through them. If you have it on your phone, accessing it is easy. Using these tricks on your phone to stay organized can relieve the stress of being late or missing important things.
• Set alarms on your phone: Remembering different appointments and due dates can be difficult with ADHD. Using technology to stay organized can make it easier. Alarms and calendar reminders can seriously affect your ability to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
• Make small changes: Making significant changes all at once can be overwhelming. If you’re struggling to take on larger projects or complete tasks, breaking them up into smaller chunks can make them more manageable and help you feel accomplished.
• Take care: Focusing on yourself and your needs can ensure you are ready to take on challenges. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking steps to manage stress when you can.

For more mental health tips, see Perfect color to paint your bedroom and what Foods to eat to be happy.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition or health goals.