Most disabilities and disorders, including ADD/ADHD, have common symptoms that most people recognize. Some of these symptoms have become stereotypical. For example, people with ADD/ADHD are usually stereotyped as not being able to focus on anything and rapidly switching topics. However, there is far more to ADD/ADHD than lack of focus, and therefore, the presence of the disorder can take time to figure out. Here are a few ways to tell if you have ADD/ADHD for sure.
Poor Organization
Some people are naturally messy, but for a person with ADD/ADHD, organization can be a real nightmare. In children, this type of disorganization might show up as constantly leaving homework at school or home or forgetting to do it at all. These children might lose a lot of items, even favorite toys or books, and have highly messy rooms. (One key difference between a messy kid and an ADD/ADHD kid is that the child with ADD/ADHD won’t be able to tell you where everything is, whereas a child who thrives on clutter will likely be able to do so).
In adults, disorganization shows up in less obvious, but more disturbing, ways. These are the adults who forget appointments or show up chronically late, even to their children’s activities. They may do what medical experts on sites like WebMD.com call “mis-prioritizing,” where they focus intensely on one or two activities at the expense of others (dinner may get cooked, but the bills won’t be paid). These adults may also often be in a rush trying to catch up on things that haven’t gotten finished.
Emotional Outbursts
One of the causes of ADD/ADHD involves the misfiring of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. These misfires can cause emotional reactions just like physical ones, and the emotional reactions usually take a bigger toll on the person with ADD. Children may throw tantrums or cry frequently, sometimes out of frustration over not being able to focus or “be good.” They may also have trouble controlling impulses and do things like laugh at inappropriate moments or blurt or chatter in class.
With adults, emotional reactions can seem less connected to the ADD/ADHD itself. For example, some adults with this disorder report marital problems and frequent arguments because they tend to get frustrated over minor issues. Others can experience anxiety and depression, which can again be connected to frustration or worry tied to the tasks they have trouble with in everyday life. Adults may also experience more frequent mood swings.
Since mood swings can be one of the most disruptive effects of ADD/ADHD, many physicians recommend medications for them, such as Ritalin or Adderall. Yet, these meds can produce side effects that are actually worse than the mood swings. Particularly in kids, they can cause lethargy, loss of interest in normal activities, and even deeper depression. Therefore, most people with ADD/ADHD, especially children, are better off taking supplements like Focus Formula or vitamins B12, D, or B6.
Inattention
People who don’t know anyone with ADD/ADHD often think everyone who does have it exhibits hyperactivity and lack of impulse control. While it’s true that this is common for some people, it’s more common to see what’s called a combined type of ADD/ADHD, especially in adults. Therefore, a better hallmark of the disorder might be inattention. In children, markers of this may include daydreaming in class or a lack of focus, but usually won’t include disrupting classmates or getting in trouble with the teacher.
Adults may also struggle with inattention in a lot of the same ways kids do. For example, at work, they may start one task, become distracted, start another, and never finish either one. Daydreaming can also cause them to forget items or deadlines, which feeds back into the symptom of poor organization. Finally, an adult with inattentive ADD/ADHD will usually have problems multitasking. Thus, they can place themselves in danger without meaning to. For example, some people with this disorder struggle with driving, especially with passengers in the vehicle, because of the need to stay focused on both the road and handling the vehicle properly. The results often include accidents and license revocation.
The diagnosis of ADD/ADHD can carry with it a host of stereotypical symptoms, as well as assertions from others that they know exactly what the disorder is, when in reality they don’t have specific details. This is particularly difficult for adults, whose symptoms may mask themselves more as accepted idiosyncratic behavior. However, these hallmarks can tell you if you have adult ADD/ADHD and assist you in getting the help you need.
Informational Credit:
“Adult Onset ADD/ADHD.” www.webmd.com.
“Focus Formula.” http://www.nativeremedies.com/products/focus-formula-childrens-herbal-adhd-remedy.html
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