Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD presents with a variety of symptoms, often including increased mental and physical activity. This can lead to an overactive mind, difficulty maintaining focus, challenges with impulse control, and struggles with emotional regulation.
ADHD symptoms in Children
Fidgeting and Squirming
A child with ADHD may find it difficult to stay still, often squirming or fidgeting in their seat.
Careless Mistakes
They might frequently make careless errors, especially in schoolwork or tasks that require focus and attention
Losing Things
Misplacing items is common, whether it’s school supplies, toys, or other belongings.
Not Appearing to Listen
Even when spoken to directly, the child may seem not to listen or follow what is being said.
Easily Distracted
Attention may quickly shift from one thing to another, leading to difficulty staying focused on tasks.
Difficulty Completing Tasks
Starting a task may be easy, but finishing it is often a struggle.
ADHD symptoms in Adults
Adults with ADHD experience a range of symptoms that can significantly impact various aspects of their lives. These symptoms are often different from those seen in children, and the condition can manifest in diverse ways from one adult to another. Below are the most common symptoms found in adults:
Chronic lateness
Often running late to appointments or work due to poor time management.
Forgetfulness
Forgetting important dates, commitments, or details.
Anxiety:
Frequently feeling overwhelmed or anxious, especially in situations that require focus.
Poor organizational skills:
Difficulty managing tasks, projects, and time efficiently.
Low self-esteem:
Struggling with self-worth, often due to a history of perceived failures or struggles.
Job-related challenges:
Difficulty maintaining employment due to issues with focus, time management, or impulsivity.
Irritability and temper issues:
Having a short fuse and difficulty managing anger or frustration.
Incomplete tasks:
Starting tasks but failing to complete them, often jumping from one thing to another without finishing.
Behavioral control issues:
Difficulty resisting impulses, which can lead to risky behaviors or inappropriate actions.
Restlessness:
An ongoing feeling of being physically restless, even if they are able to control it outwardly better than in childhood..
Differences Between Adult and Childhood ADHD
As individuals age, their experience with ADHD often changes:
Decreased hyperactivity
One key difference is that the physical hyperactivity associated with ADHD often decreases with age. Many adults feel less of the constant need to move around that children with ADHD exhibit.
Increased impulsivity and risk-taking
While hyperactivity may decrease, symptoms such as impulsive behavior, poor decision-making, and difficulty concentrating often become more pronounced, leading to new challenges.
Emotional consequences
Adults with ADHD may experience an increase in emotional struggles such as anxiety and depression, often exacerbated by their ADHD symptoms. These conditions may lead adults to seek help, only to discover ADHD as the underlying issue.
Three in ten children with ADHD have symptoms that last into adulthood