According to the Centre for ADHD Awareness in Canada, the condition can affect up to nine percent of children and three to five percent of adults. That is over one million Canadians.

Living with ADHD can be challenging and cause relational fractures and problems at work. But with the right treatment plan, you can learn to manage your symptoms and find success in life and work.

What is Adult ADHD?

ADHD is an ongoing neurodevelopmental disorder affecting an individual’s daily activities. It is something that can last for someone’s whole life. While it is often seen as an inability to focus, there are other signs of ADHD.

Some of the symptoms of adult ADHD include:

Restlessness

Those with adult ADHD often have trouble settling down. They may feel compelled to keep moving and stay active. However, there may be limitations on individuals’ ability to accomplish what they want to get done. And this can lead to frustration. Signs of adults with ADHD-related restlessness include difficulty sitting still, tapping fingers or feet, and moving around often.

Anxiety

A common symptom of those with ADHD is anxiety, as they often reply to situations over and over in their mind. They will show signs of worrying over events over which they may have little or no control.

Emotional instability

People with adult ADHD find it difficult to deal with minor frustrations. Those with adult ADHD may struggle with emotional challenges. Those with the disorder often get bored and crave excitement almost constantly. They are also prone to mood fluctuations and depression. This emotional instability can lead to relationship difficulties and difficulty connecting with others and understanding.

Lack of focus

Most people associate ADHD with an inability to focus, but it can be more than that. For adults with the condition, it means they struggle to listen to others in conversation, they get distracted easily, it can be challenging to get work done, and those with ADHD often overlook details.

Inability to stay organized

Being easily distracted and struggling to stay focused also leads to a high level of disorder for those with adult ADHD. Adults with ADHD have difficulty prioritizing tasks and managing their time, which compounds their efforts to stay organized. Moreover, the other challenges with adult ADHD, such as emotional instability, anxiety, worry, restlessness, etc., mean that staying organized is nearly impossible.

Impulsivity

Individuals with ADHD may also show signs of impulsiveness. These can include interrupting others during conversations, rushing through work or tasks, acting before thinking through the consequences of their actions, and similar social awkwardness.

Lack of self-esteem

While everyone can struggle to feel good about themselves, and we all have off days, someone with adult ADHD can be excessively critical of themselves. The activities that give most people feelings of success and accomplishment, such as school and work, are areas where ADHD individuals struggle. Their difficulty in achieving in these areas can lead to very low self-esteem and a high level of self-criticism.

Additional problems with ADHD

Struggling to live with adult ADHD can lead to other mental health conditions and challenges. As adult ADHD is a medical condition, it can put individuals at higher risk of further complications, including:

Mood disorders

Adults with ADHD are at higher risk of other mental health challenges like bipolar disorder or depression. This is often caused by the ongoing feelings of failure and frustration that those with adult ADHD experience.

Learning disabilities

School struggles can lead to learning disabilities in those with ADHD. These are not signs of lower intelligence but rather an inability to focus, concentrate, and understand the material presented. However, this can cause higher school dropout rates among those with ADHD, unfortunately, can perpetuate the problem.

Work challenges

With ADHD, individuals struggle to complete tasks and stay focused at work. This can lead to individuals having to move jobs often. It also means they are passed over for promotions and raises, often based on performance. Another risk is ongoing unemployment for those with adult ADHD.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is common in those with adult ADHD. It often worsens as those with the condition experience failure and frustration attempting to accomplish goals or tasks. Fear, nervousness, and worry can cause ADHD sufferers further angst.

Personal relationship problems

Adult ADHD can make it difficult for people to connect with others and build healthy relationships. Listening and contributing to conversations is a challenge for those with ADHD who struggle to control their focus and restlessness.

How Adult ADHD is diagnosed

Adult ADHD is often diagnosed by a mental health professional. Because ADHD is complex and can be associated with other mental health issues, it’s best to seek a professional opinion rather than attempt self-diagnosis.

Mental health professional interview

It’s recommended to have at least two screening sessions with a mental health professional skilled at identifying and working with ADHD clients. These individuals will be able to ask questions and uncover symptoms of adult ADHD, as well as review their mental health history and childhood for signs of undiagnosed ADHD.

Treating those with Adult ADHD

If you have been diagnosed with adult ADHD, the good news is there are ways to manage it. These include learning new skills and ways of thinking with the help of a psychiatrist. You’ll also be introduced to healthy habits to help you manage your ADHD symptoms.

Why trust The Insight Clinic

At The Insight Clinic, we put the client’s needs first. We provide a variety of treatments that help clients avoid medicating the problem. Our team of professionals is skilled at talk-based therapy that can help you overcome fear, anxiety, worry, and other emotional challenges with adult ADHD.

We also offer brain-based treatment, a natural, drug-free remedy for those with ADHD. It has been designed not to cure patients with ADHD but rather to reduce the stress caused by the disorder.

Start your healing journey.

Contact The Insight Clinic today.