4 symptoms of adult ADHD that you need to look out for, according to a psychiatrist

ADHD can cause problems of focus, impulsivity, and disorganisation. In fact, it can stop you from living life to your best potential.
Get back the control of your mental well being with ADHD. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Grace Bains Updated: 20 Jul 2020, 18:04 pm IST
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ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is often associated with childhood. But it is only now coming to light that even adults can have it. ADHD affects brain activity, making it difficult for someone suffering from it to concentrate on one single task. It starts reflecting in life in different ways ranging from the inability to complete work to not being able to follow conversations.

Ultimately, ADHD can leave your life extremely unstable with frequent changes in career, no permanent social circle, and can result in low self-esteem. Hence, it is important to treat ADHD so as to live to your maximum potential.

So, we talked to renowned psychiatrist Dr. Samir Parikh about it and he said, “ADHD is a childhood problem and if left untreated, it can carry into adulthood. It wasn’t understood too well previously but there’s more awareness around it now which is enabling more people to seek help for their symptoms.”

We asked him of some of the prime symptoms of ADHD and here are four of them that point to the fact that you need to consult a professional:

1. Focus is an issue for you
Many people tend to lose focus, especially after long hours of studying or working on an office assignment. However, adults with ADHD find it hard to focus on something for more than a couple of minutes. They may find it tough to concentrate on what the other person is saying and might be unable to keep up with a conversation. Someone with ADHD will also find it tough to complete tasks because of a lack of focus.

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Is your focus going haywire then that might be because of ADHD. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Your procrastination cuts into productivity
This is a direct result of the inability to focus; and you cannot deny that it not only cuts into your productivity but also hampers quality of life. Someone with undiagnosed ADHD might end up thinking they’re just lazy. It could translate to you showing up for an important meeting late, or not being able to make a submission on time. Basically, not being able to take action at the right time can lead to missing out on opportunities and hence, affect the way life turns out.

3. You are far too forgetful
We all tend to forget things once in a while. However, for someone suffering from ADHD, keeping even important things in mind will be tough. In fact, it can get pretty frustrating to realize that be it an important meeting or where the car keys are kept, recalling any information is next to impossible.

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ADHD deficiency can lead to forgetfulness. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. Your impulsivity affects your life negatively
Impulsivity in people with ADHD is fairly common. They tend to do things without first thinking about the consequences or reason for them doing it. This could include interrupting others during a conversation, speaking out of turn, rushing through tasks, or even being extremely rude during a fight without realizing the weight of your words. Basically, impulsivity is what leads to unwanted consequences that can easily be avoided.

Think you have ADHD symptoms? Here’s what you should do next
“If you think you’re not able to reach the maximum level of productivity or if these things are hampering your life, you should talk to a professional. Only a doctor will be able to tell if you have ADHD and how to proceed,” explains Dr Parikh. 

Adult ADHD is a real problem but it can be resolved to some extent with professional intervention. So don’t hesitate to consult with a professional if you find yourself relating to this read. 

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Grace is someone who likes writing enough to make a living out of it. When she isn’t writing, you will find her having chai and reading a book. ...Read More

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