Adult ADHD Diagnosis Can Change “Adulting”
September 17, 2023
Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comes in many forms. It is a lifelong neurologic condition which starts in childhood but may not be identified until later in life.
Inattention symptoms associated with ADHD include:
- Making careless mistakes and lacking attention to detail
- Failing to follow through on tasks and instructions
- Difficulty with organization, time management and deadlines
- Avoiding tasks requiring attention for long periods
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful in daily activities
Hyperactive symptoms commonly associated with ADHD include:
- Difficulty sitting still
- Motoric restlessness
- Impulsivity
- Interrupting others
“ADHD is a disorder in our ability to focus, but it has nothing to do with intelligence. Intelligent people can also be distractible. Adults may learn ways to cope but still have problems with attentional symptoms” said Frank Pavlovcic III, DO, psychiatrist with Chelsea Hospital.
Those diagnosed with ADHD as an adult may struggle to juggle multiple things in their lives. When it comes to “adulting,” we are tasked with managing family, home and work. Adulting in the modern workplace means constant interruptions. People with attentional issues can struggle restarting their thoughts when interrupted or multitasking.
When should you seek help for ADHD symptoms?
Those struggling remembering things, staying on task at work or school, or experiencing other symptoms of attentional issues should reach out to their primary care physician.
“One of the things that we've seen is that when an adult’s child is diagnosed with ADHD, the adult realizes they are just like the child is in terms of attention or behavior,” said Stuart Chalin, LMSW, outpatient behavioral health therapist at Chelsea Hospital. Seeing others (friends or family) being diagnosed can lead people to ask questions about themselves and seek help.
People with ADHD can experience more chaotic mental processes, which can lead to high anxiety. Left untreated, this can contribute to worsening health problems and increased risk for accidents.
“We sometimes see people come in with the overarching symptom of anxiety and then in the assessment process, we see why that anxiety is so high. It's because important task are being dropped or the person has become hyper-vigilant about not remembering something,” said Chalin.
There is also a notable higher correlation of ADHD and substance abuse. Those struggling with symptoms should seek help instead of coping alone or self-medicating.
“Especially untreated, ADHD can lead to people trying to self-medicate on a variety of different fronts. I have seen patients, for example, who tried to manage symptoms with copious amounts of coffee or other stimulants,” said Chalin.
What are some helpful tools for those with ADHD?
Work or school accommodations can help with daily life. Using technology can help organize thoughts with reminders and digital calendars. It is also important to prioritize regular exercise, good sleep routines and diet. Medication treatments may be prescribed after diagnosis.
Pavlovcic warns about the risk of using online assessments to self-diagnosis ADHD. Many factors can contribute to attentional issues, and short online questionnaires gauging symptoms can cause unnecessary anxiety and spread misinformation.
Where should I start?
It is generally recommended to start with your primary care physician. A clinical diagnosis is made based on a patient’s history and symptoms. Next steps may require a referral to mental health professionals.
Something as simple as a bad night of sleep can impact a person’s memory. A mental health professional can help determine if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms, or if there is another underlying issue.
“Attention, focus and concentration are part of our cognitive functioning. Other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms such as sleep deprivation, severe anxiety, depression or substance use. There's a lot of other factors that can affect our ability to function mentally and may look like attention deficit disorder,” said Pavlovcic.
How can a diagnosis change my life?
Treating attentional disorders can lead to positive changes in a person’s life, from performing better in school and at work to doing better in their relationships without the attentional issues getting in the way.
“On an emotional level, being able to diminish the shame that some people experience from having been labeled lazy or distracted can help build some levels of self-compassion. I've had several clients where they knew something was up, but they didn't have a narrative for it. And then once they had this diagnosis, they were able to go back in their childhood and see how this affected them,” said Chalin.
ADHD is a disorder that is commonly identified in children and adolescence but doesn’t necessarily go away as you get older. A proper diagnosis can offer relief and help address attentional issues to improve a person’s quality of life.