Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become a much larger topic in recent years. Social media has also brought about awareness of the condition and people are talking about symptoms they have had for years.
This has led to an important question: Is ADHD the new “it” diagnosis?
There is certainly growing interest in ADHD, especially among adults who seek a diagnosis in the later stages of life. In the U.S., more than half of adults with ADHD were diagnosed as adults, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Experts also warn you that identifying ADHD symptoms is not the same as diagnosing yourself with the condition. There is no one problem with forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, procrastination and restlessness. And stress, sleep deprivation and anxiety and depression all cause a lot of other problems too.
What is ADHD, what are the signs of ADHD, when should we be getting professional help?
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes attention and impulse control and activity levels to be disrupted in children. ADHD may persist into adulthood too.
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Adults with ADHD may struggle to focus, organise their work, manage time, remember appointments or do things. And some may be restless or do things impulsively.
ADHD can be divided into three presentations: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined.
And ADHD does not begin in adulthood. For an adult to get an ADHD diagnosis, symptoms must have begun during childhood, even if nobody recognized them at the time.
Why are more adults talking about ADHD?
There has been an increase in awareness about ADHD in general.
Young adults who have struggled with school, work, organisation or relationships for years may now see patterns that they had dismissed as laziness, carelessness or poor time management.
Women might also have gone undiagnosed during childhood because inattentive symptoms can be less obvious than the hyperactive behaviour traditionally associated with ADHD. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are particularly likely to be missed during childhood, the National Institute of Mental Health reports.
Social media has also intervened. Short videos and online checklists have made it easier to get information about ADHD. This can be both positive and negative for information about ADHD.
A better awareness can help people with genuine concerns to seek professional help. But online content can also make ordinary experiences seem like medical symptoms.
For example, almost everyone loses their keys or gets distracted and starts to become unproductive, or even puts this off. But these experiences do not mean people have ADHD.
Common SIGNS OF ADHD IN Adults
ADHD can be different for each individual. Adults have the most problems with attention and some more with impulsivity or restlessness.
Common signs can include:
- Difficulty concentrating on tasks
- Getting distracted easily
- Frequently forgetting appointments or responsibilities
- Losing important objects
- Happily procrastinating all the time
- Time management problems
- Problems with tasks or priorities
- Starting projects but struggling to finish them
- Difficulty following instructions
- Frequently interrupting conversations
- Always feeling like I need to do something
- Acting without thinking about the consequences
- Struggling to sit through long meetings or activities
- Having difficulty managing frustration or stress
The National Institute of Mental Health says ADHD symptoms need to be persistent and severe enough to interfere with daily life. They also need to happen in more than one setting, such as at home, work or school.
Being distracted once in a while is natural. Persistent problems with attention and organisation that continue to affect your work, relationships or everyday responsibilities are different.
ADHD Is Not Just About Being Easily Distracted
A common misunderstanding is that ADHD is a result of not being able to concentrate.
In reality, the condition can take up many aspects of daily life. Adult planning, organisation, time management, recollection of responsibilities and completing tasks may be more difficult.
Some people tend to experience hyperactivity even more differently as they age. Adult people do not run around (or get physically active) constantly, so they might feel that they are constantly tired out for long periods of time, or they are uncomfortable sitting still.
Impulsivity can also happen in different ways. It may occur when people are interrupted, rush into action, not wait for others or have no interest in results long term but rather are interested in immediate gratification.
These symptoms affect work performance and relationships in addition to daily lives.
When Should You Seek Help?
You do not need to diagnose yourself before speaking to a professional.
If attention struggles, organisation, impulsivity or restlessness persist and are affecting work, education, relationships or daily life, then that might be worth talking to a healthcare professional.
It is even more important to pursue evaluation if the problem has been there a long time and can be traced back to childhood.
A professional evaluation may also help to determine whether something other than ADHD is causing the symptoms.
Sleep problems, anxiety, depression, stress and some physical health conditions can result in symptoms that sound like ADHD. Because of this, the assessment is important.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
There is no single test that can confirm ADHD.
A health professional will often look at a person's current symptoms, medical and mental health history and childhood experiences. They may use standardised questionnaires or symptom checklists as part of the assessment.
For adults, the professional may also ask about school experiences or speak with people who knew the person during childhood, when appropriate.
The assessment also looks for whether symptoms manifest in various parts of life and whether they actually interfere with daily functioning.
That is why a free online ADHD quiz can be the starting point for learning symptoms, but does not replace a professional diagnosis.
Is ADHD overdiagnosed?
The interest in ADHD has also led to a debate about overdiagnosis and self-diagnosis.
Social media has also been accused of encouraging people to interpret these behaviours as manifestations of ADHD. More recently it has also been mentioned that the number of adults seeking assessments is increasing and the pressure on healthcare services is growing.
But to say that some people may be misdiagnosed should not be confused with asking whether ADHD itself exists.
ADHD is a well-established neurodevelopmental disorder and is well researched. The real problem is to ensure that the accurate assessments take place rather than to diagnose people only based on their symptoms.
Treatment and support are available.
A diagnosis is not the same as having to live with the same problems forever.
ADHD patients can use medication, psychotherapy and behavioural techniques as well. Coaching and practical changes to make things easier for them and their daily lives may also be helpful.
The right approach will follow the individual and must be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.
And ADHD should not be seen as the new norm because more people are talking about it. Awareness can help people who have been at odds for years come to grips with all they’ve learned and get the support they need. At the same time, not every forgotten appointment, unfinished task or distracted moment means someone has ADHD.
The difference is persistence, severity and impact on everyday life. If these problems have been present for a long time, started in childhood and continue to interfere with multiple areas of life, speaking with a qualified professional is a sensible next step.
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