ADHD Symptoms in Adults Risky Business
Many people who engage in risky behavior may be surprised to learn that their behavior is consistent with ADHD symptoms in adults, and that they may actually have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. Impulsivity and the need for excitement and stimulation are on the top of the list of symptoms.
Impulsivity is generally thought of as risk-taking and a lack of planning. Being impulsive can also allow a person to make up his mind quickly, which is not always a negative quality. Impulsivity as one of the ADHD symptoms in adults goes beyond being decisive; people who are impulsive tend to take action without thinking about the potential consequences. This is where the problem arises and can lead to someone jumping around from job to job, relationship to relationship, and participating in other risky behaviors.
These sorts of risky behavior are some of the ADHD symptoms in adults that can have devastating and even life-threatening consequences. The good news is it is also the sort of behavior that results in the person getting help. When they are ready to make a serious change in their lives and experience the kind of success they have dreamt of, then the adult with these sorts of symptoms will seek out a doctor or other professional to get control of their lives.
Unless they do get help, ADHD symptoms in adults tend to increase. The need for stimulation and excitement can lead to unsafe driving habits which result in accidents, gambling addictions, substance abuse, and unhealthy sexual relationships.
Getting diagnosed can be a huge relief, not only to the patient but also to the friends and families who are witnessing these distressing ADHD symptoms in adults. People may understand to a certain degree, some hyperactivity and impulsivity in children and teens, but when we reach adulthood we are expected to “grow out of it.” This just doesn’t happen by itself if you have ADHD.
What causes these ADHD symptoms in adults? Impulse control is governed, at least in part, by the orbitofrontal cortex and right inferior frontal gyrus. When this area is compromised then behavior is affected. When this part of the brain is damaged in an accident it is not uncommon to observe changes in a person’s impulsivity. Impulsivity is also impacted by other neuropsychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder.
Impulsivity is often accompanied by another of the common ADHD symptoms in adults which is difficulty in focusing on a task. The impulse is what starts one on the task; the lack of focus keeps us from completing it.
These two ADHD symptoms in adults combine into an unhealthy combination that can lead us to believe we are failures because we never seem to get anything done. Even if we have no additional symptoms, working on gaining control over these two will improve our lives greatly. Once we demonstrate that we can finish something that we start, we immediately begin laying the groundwork for improved self-esteem. Using the same tools, we learn that we can handle larger and more complex challenges.
It is important that we not cede control of our lives to the ADHD symptoms. In adults, these symptoms can be controlled. Once we learn the tools necessary, we can take back our lives and thrive, both professionally and in our personal relationships.
ADHD Coaches Calm Symptoms During Drug Shortage
ADHD coaches know that stress alone is enough to trigger an increase in ADHD symptoms. Unfortunately, that is what many people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are going through at the moment as a result of a shortage of the drugs that many patients use to control their symptoms.
Don’t panic if you are one of the thousands of adults who use drugs such as Ritalin or Adderall on a regular basis. Rather than getting stressed out, now is the time to book an appointment with one of the qualified ADHD coaches available to help you with your symptoms.
I’m not saying you should not be on medications—that is not a decision for me to make. I am saying that whether you take prescription drugs or not, ADHD coaches can help you improve your life. Don’t wait until you wake up to an empty prescription bottle to make an appointment either. This is something you deserve to be proactive about. Consider the drug shortage to be a wake-up call, where you get the opportunity to learn some skills that will help you regardless of medications.
ADHD coaches know what you are going through and provide a safe place for you to discuss your symptoms and how they are impacting your life, your relationships, and your career. While as adults with ADHD we have some common issues, we are each unique individuals with our own perspectives and aspirations.
For example, if you take a medication to help with anxiety in social interactions, ADHD coaches may give you a different set of tools than they would give to someone who takes the medication to help them focus on a task. Similarly, if you are working at a job with a consistent schedule, you may benefit from one skill set while a university student who has a different schedule every day may need different tools.
After discussing your life and your goals, ADHD coaches then provide you with tools that address your specific concerns and situation.
This is so important I’m going to repeat it; I’m not saying you should not be on medications and I am not advocating those who are on medications should stop. Some adults benefit from using medications and they find ADHD coaches are an additional benefit that can help them succeed at taking back their lives. Some adults with ADHD find they do not want to use medications, or have found that with proper coaching, they can control their symptoms without the drugs.
The bottom line is ADHD coaches can help ANY adult with ADHD—whether they are using prescription drugs or not.
ADHD Symptoms in Adults Vary Depending on Type
Many people do not realize that Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) comes in more than one type. It is important to recognize this because ADHD symptoms in adults vary depending on which type of ADHD you have. You might not have what you think of as classic symptoms and so you don’t think you have ADHD and then you end up not getting the help you deserve.
Only a trained health care professional can diagnose ADHD. If you do decide to get an assessment, they will look at the common ADHD symptoms in adults and see if you have a number of them, as having just one won’t be enough for an accurate diagnosis. They will also look at patterns in behavior, where and when you experience symptoms, and how long you have had the symptoms. They will then determine if you have ADHD, and if you do, which type. Armed with that knowledge you can then make the best decisions on how to proceed and what the best treatment options are for you.
The most commonly known type of ADHD is Hyperactive/Impulsive. The ADHD symptoms in adults with this type are:
- Inability to sit still, also called fidgeting or squirming
- Inappropriate moving—getting out of your seat, running around, excessive pacing
- Having trouble with quiet activities
- Talking excessively
- Always on the go
- Difficulty waiting your turn
- Blurting out answers
The ADHD symptoms in adults who have the second type, called the Inattentive Type, are:
- Inattention to detail
- Inability to focus, easily distracted
- Poor listening skills
- Lack of organization
- Losing or misplacing things
- Forgetting activities and appointments
- Lack of follow through
- Avoiding projects or procrastinating
The third type of ADHD is called Combined. This is the combination of ADHD-Hyperactive/ Impulsive and ADHD-Inattentive.
ADHD symptoms in adults may be different than those experienced by children, even if the adult was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid. As we grow and mature, many things change and actually fewer people experience the hyperactivity component that is so prevalent in children. This has often brought people to the incorrect assumption that ADHD is a childhood disorder and to ignore the ADHD symptoms in adults that impact our lives.
Don’t let people try to tell you ADHD isn’t real, because it is. Adults with ADHD know that these symptoms can inhibit their ability to have successful, happy careers and relationships. The good news is that if you are looking over this list of ADHD symptoms in adults and recognize yourself, you CAN get help.
ADHD Coaching Tips for Adults for Work or School
Source: DuBoixMorguefile
In our ADHD coaching business we have helped thousands of adults and college students get control over their ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) symptoms and lead happy, successful lives—personally and professionally.
The following half dozen ADHD coaching tips will help adults of all ages get more done in their lives, whether that is studying at university or advancing in your career.
1. Clear the Decks
Keep the clutter off your desk. Have only what you are working on at that moment in front of you. Too many papers and other projects will be too distracting!
2. One Task at a Time
Whether you are at your desk or cleaning the house, focus on just one thing at a time. Don’t think about everything on your list, just the one thing you are doing right now. Thinking about too many things leads to procrastination and feeling overwhelmed.
3. Break It Up
If your project is overwhelming then break it down into smaller, bite-sized tasks and focus on one of those. Rather than cleaning the entire house, focus on the bathroom. Once you have accomplished that task you can move on to another. At the end of the day you’ll have lots of things done! It is easy to see how to break up cleaning the house into smaller chunks. Not every project is as easily divided, it may help to arrange for some ADHD coaching if you are finding it difficult to break up a specific project.
4. Time It
Set timers. Every time you have a task you want to get done, set a timer for 15 minutes and then go for it. If you aren’t done in the first 15 minutes then you can stop and take a short break. Then set the timer again for another focus block. The timer can be as simple as a clock on the microwave in the kitchen for at home projects, or it could be the timer on your iPhone so you have it with you wherever you go.
5. Organizational Systems
You’ve no doubt heard the famous Benjamin Franklin quote, “A place for everything, everything in its place.” This is especially helpful to keep in mind if you tend to misplace things and then spend a lot of time and energy trying to find them. In ADHD coaching circles it is often referred to as a ‘launch pad.’ The important concept is that you identify one place where you will keep important items so you can readily get your hands on them. Frequently this is a place for your keys, but you can apply this concept to your wallet, glasses, purse or briefcase, or cell phone.
6. Set Specific Goals
Goals can really help us to get things done, but setting goals is not just writing a ‘to do’ list. Goals must be realistic and specific. Lots of people have trouble with goal-setting and this is where ADHD coaching can be a real help because you have someone who will help you set the right goals, prioritize your action steps, and help keep you on track to accomplish them.
Bonus ADHD coaching tip: Know Your Style
How do you learn and thrive? Some of my ADHD coaching clients have been successful in school or in their work in the past and so they may not have really thought about this. Maybe you are just reaching the point where your workload has grown and now you are no longer in control of your ADHD symptoms. This is where knowing your learning style can really help. If you are an auditory learner for example, you might have great success recording lectures and meetings giving you the ability to replay the event later. If you happen to be a visual learner, then spending hours listening to recordings isn’t going to helpful. You need to SEE things in order for it to make sense. Kinesthetic learners do best when they take some sort of action while learning. If you are learning new vocabulary, it might be as simple as writing the words down over and over again, or it might be touching the object while you say the word out loud.
No matter where you are in your career, following these ADHD coaching tips can help you to achieve the success you desire, and deserve!
ADHD Health Improves with Organizational Systems
Having things neat and organized requires some effort, but the effort is important for your ADHD health. Do you ever look around and wonder where all the mess that is around you came from? I hate to be the one to tell you this, but chances are the source of the mess is you.
I find that one of the reasons our ADHD health suffers when we allow the messes to accumulate is that it just lends itself to our feeling overwhelmed. Feeling overwhelmed is something we are already good at—we certainly don’t need to apply any effort to achieve that!
The thing is, those of us with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder tend to be better at creating messes then at keeping things neat and tidy. That is why creating systems is such a good idea for our ADHD health, and the sanity of those around us, too!
Some systems are quite simple but they can still have a huge impact on our daily lives and our ADHD health. For example, if you are forever misplacing your car keys, then a very simple system for storing your keys will save you a lot of time and frustration.
The key, if you’ll pardon the pun, to a successful system is to always use it. It won’t work if you only use it some of the time.
Think about your routine when you come in the house. Do you come in from the car and drop things willy-nilly around the house? Do you drop everything in a pile to be sorted out later? Do you start to take items out of your pockets, walking as you do, creating a trail that Hansel and Gretel would be proud of?
For your ADHD health, it is imperative that you develop systems that will help you round up your belongings, otherwise you will continue to feel like you can’t get anything done because you are so busy looking for your stuff! Your place will look neater and you will feel better if you know where everything is without having to hunt throughout the house for it.
Now, visualize your desk. Is it covered with so many stacks of papers that you barely have a surface for your laptop or keyboard? It is hard to feel productive and in control when you can’t find the papers you are looking for. You can develop a simple system that will help you tame the paper tiger and be beneficial to your ADHD health. You will feel and BE more productive, which will help you in your career—and in your life!
You can create systems that will help your ADHD health in pretty much every aspect of your life. Anywhere that you are currently disorganized is a good place to start. Of course, not everyone who struggles with organization has ADHD, but they can benefit from setting up these systems as well. For those of us who do have ADHD, health and image can suffer if we allow it to run our lives. On the other hand, our health and self-esteem flourish when we take control. These simple systems are tools we can use to bring some order back into our lives.
ADHD Coaches Tip Ends Hide-And-Seek
ADHD coaches report that people with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder tend to misplace things. Does this sound familiar? Are you frequently wondering where the cordless phone is or why you seem to have no water glasses in the cupboard?
Frequently, people with ADHD misplace items, including their keys, their wallets, and their iPhones. These are items that we need to use frequently, and without which we can’t get other things done.
On the surface misplacing your keys may not seem like a big deal. Doesn’t everybody do that? Take a minute and think about all the time you spent looking for your keys today. Maybe it was two or five or ten minutes. Still doesn’t seem like that big a deal, right? Well, take that time and calculate it over a year—and looking for something for ten minutes a day costs you 60 HOURS over the course of a year. Does it seem a little more important to get a handle on that now? This is where ADHD coaches can help!
ADHD coaches develop systems for their clients that help them get control over their lives. This helps you to stop wasting time playing hide-and-seek with your keys or iPad and gets you back to doing the things you love.
The system that ADHD coaches help clients create for frequently misplaced items is often called a “launch pad.” If you are constantly misplacing your keys for example, you will want a launch pad near the door. This will be where you leave your keys every time you come in the door. It could be a drawer, a shelf, or a hook, it doesn’t matter. Make it something that you can get used to using.
The next step ADHD coaches will have you do is to think about what other things can go on that launch pad. Sunglasses, your wallet or purse might be good things to have in the same place.
With your ADHD coaches
’ help you can create many “launch pads” around your house or office that will help keep you organized. You may still play games ON your iPhone, but at least you will be able to find it!
Career Challenges Often Are ADHD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have trouble concentrating or getting work done? Ever thought that maybe you might have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? These are two common ADHD symptoms in adults.
Did you think that ADHD was something that only affected kids? That is one of the biggest misconceptions about the disorder that keeps people from recognizing the ADHD symptoms in adults and getting the help they need to live their best, happiest, healthiest lives.
Don’t think you are alone, either. One out of every 12 adults has ADHD—1 out of 12!
Typical ADHD symptoms in adults include feeling overwhelmed or indecisive, having difficulty organizing projects, meeting deadlines, remembering information, and following directions.
Can you imagine how these ADHD symptoms in adults can make it difficult to succeed in a career or academically? That is why it is critical to get the help you need in order to take control of your life, manage your time, and take advantage of your unique gifts.
Many of my clients find that they are overwhelmed and that this feeling keeps them from moving forward. It is like they are literally frozen in place by indecision because they don’t know which way to go.
This sense of overwhelm by itself can be quite debilitating, but it can lead to other issues that may also be ADHD symptoms in adults, or some other related challenges. Left untreated, adults with ADHD can suffer from low self-esteem, have problems getting or keeping a job (which doesn’t help that self-esteem issue!), and have anger management issues or mood swings. They may also be chronically late, suffer from anxiety or depression, have relationship challenges at work and at home, and even abuse drugs or alcohol in an attempt to cope.
I used to wonder if it would be possible for me to have success in life. I jumped from job to job (another of the common ADHD symptoms in adults). I couldn’t figure out why I seemed dissatisfied. I was good at my jobs, I was smart, but something wasn’t clicking. I know life isn’t easy if you have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, but I learned that by getting the proper training it is possible to have the successful career that had eluded me in the past. And it is possible for you, too!
ADHD Coaches, Therapists, Organizers: Who You Gonna Call?
If you think you might have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) you might be wondering, like the 80’s movie Ghostbusters, ‘who you gonna call?’ There are a lot more resources for adults with ADHD then when I was first diagnosed, and that can make it all the more confusing. Would you benefit most from ADHD coaches, therapists, professional organizers, or should you just join a support group?
Of course the short answer is: “It depends,” and the truth is you might benefit from all of the above. Having a better understanding about what the role of each is may make the decision transparent.
ADHD Coaches
Expert ADHD coaches will help adults with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder by teaching them new skills and strategies to cope with life. This can include techniques to help you get things done, including organizing your work areas and home and applying structure to your day. ADHD coaches can help you learn how to prioritize your projects and how to break things down into manageable chunks so you avoid procrastination and overwhelm. Time management is another area where ADHD coaching can provide practical everyday solutions. The most experienced ADHD coaches will help clients manage their mind, or in other words, their thinking processes in order to master HOW they do things on a regular basis.
While you may meet in an office or in your home, that is not a requirement. ADHD coaching can be quite effective over the telephone where the coach and client may be separated geographically by hundreds or thousands of miles.
Therapists
While ADHD coaches tend to work mainly on the practical side of life, therapists work with their adult clients on more of the deeper or more severe emotional issues that may result from having ADHD. This could be helpful for a person with ADHD who also suffers from severe anxiety issues.
Professional Organizers
Focusing more narrowly than ADHD coaches or therapists, professional organizers can help you if you find you are not getting things done because you are surrounded by clutter or are disorganized. You don’t have to be featured on an episode of “Hoarders” to benefit from an organizer. Unlike ADHD coaches, the professional organizer will come to your home (or office if that is where you need help.) They may make suggestions that you implement or they may create systems for you that you then maintain.
You can save time and feel less stressed by having a professional organizer set up systems that streamline your workflow, how you file papers, and even how you pay your bills.
It’s important to note that there are some ADHD coaching companies who will also offer Organization coaching.
Support Groups
While you may benefit from hiring ADHD coaches, therapists and/or professional organizers, you may also want to seek out a support group. The support group will help reduce your sense of isolation because you will be meeting others who also have ADHD. A good support group provides you with a safe place to express your fears, concerns and successes as well as an opportunity to get feedback from others who understand what you are going through.
The most important factor is to use a service that will help you reach the goals that are most important to you. Achieving our own personal successes will make the biggest difference to how you feel and of course what you are able to accomplish in the future!
If you are interested in giving expert ADHD coaching a try, feel free to sign up for a free intro coaching call at info@onefocustotalsuccess.com For more information please visit: www.OneFocusTotalSuccess.com
ADHD Symptoms in Adults Often Present Career Challenges
Do you have trouble concentrating or getting work done? Ever thought that maybe you might have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? These are two common ADHD symptoms in adults.
Did you think that ADHD was something that only affected kids? That is one of the biggest misconceptions about the disorder that keeps people from recognizing the ADHD symptoms in adults and getting the help they need to live their best, happiest, healthiest lives.
Don’t think you are alone, either. One out of every 12 adults has ADHD—1 out of 12!
Typical ADHD symptoms in adults include feeling overwhelmed or indecisive, having difficulty organizing projects, meeting deadlines, remembering information, and following directions.
Can you imagine how these ADHD symptoms in adults can make it difficult to succeed in a career or academically? That is why it is critical to get the help you need in order to take control of your life, manage your time, and take advantage of your unique gifts.
Many of my clients find that they are overwhelmed and that this feeling keeps them from moving forward. It is like they are literally frozen in place by indecision because they don’t know which way to go.
This sense of overwhelm by itself can be quite debilitating, but it can lead to other issues that may also be ADHD symptoms in adults, or some other related challenges. Left untreated, adults with ADHD can suffer from low self-esteem, have problems getting or keeping a job (which doesn’t help that self-esteem issue!), and have anger management issues or mood swings. They may also be chronically late, suffer from anxiety or depression, have relationship challenges at work and at home, and even abuse drugs or alcohol in an attempt to cope.
I used to wonder if it would be possible for me to have success in life. I jumped from job to job (another of the common ADHD symptoms in adults). I couldn’t figure out why I seemed dissatisfied. I was good at my jobs, I was smart, but something wasn’t clicking. I know life isn’t easy if you have Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, but I learned that by getting the proper training it is possible to have the successful career that had eluded me in the past. And it is possible for you, too!
ADHD Coaches Help With Big Decision Dilemma
Have you ever found yourself facing a big decision and you just don’t know what to? This is one of the ways ADHD coaches help clients. ADHD coaches can help you filter out the overwhelming noise so that you can clearly see what you want in life. With that clarity, making decisions is so much easier.
Identify
The first step in making a decision is to actually identify what it is you are deciding. Sometimes this is pretty easy, like when your car has died and you know you need a new one. Other times, we THINK we know what we want, but we are having trouble moving forward on it anyway. It might be that we have doubt because a part of us isn’t sure this is the real decision that needs to be made. These decisions are often big—like those that involve life or career changes. ADHD coaches can help you by being a sounding board and by helping you listen to your inner wisdom to identify what the decision is about.
Outline
Once you’ve identified what the decision is about, now it is time to outline the steps involved. ADHD coaches can help you figure out the various steps involved so you can then focus on each step.
Let’s say you want to buy a car this year but you aren’t sure which vehicle you want. Your coach can help you determine the steps to take so you can make the best decision. The steps in this case might include setting a budget, writing down desired and necessary features, conducting research, test driving vehicles, and negotiating the best price.
Focus
Once you have the steps outlined, it is time for you to focus on each step. ADHD coaches can help here, too. They can help keep you on task so you aren’t jumping to test drive vehicles that are out of your budget range, for example. They can also help you if you start to get stuck in one of the steps. They can help you to determine if you should add steps to the plan, set a deadline to finish a particular step, or otherwise figure out what might be holding you back.
Decide and Follow up
Making the decision and then acting on that decision may be the end of the outline. For some decisions there will be many other steps because this one decision started an entire chain reaction. ADHD coaches will be able to help you to act on your decision, to celebrate your decision and action, and to plan for the next event, whether that is the next domino in line or an entirely different matter.
