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!
