Often have difficulty sustaining attention or remembering appointments, or not being able to keep up with work when trying? Difficulty in concentration or organisation sometimes occurs and when this is a frequent occurrence it can have a negative effect on relationships, work and daily living. Some adults may have problems that relate to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It is helpful to take a step back when considering these challenges and understand why they occur, before being able to access an appropriate level of support.

How ADHD Can Affect Adults

ADHD is a condition that affects the brain and develops in childhood, which can affect one’s attention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. It’s frequently a pediatric condition, but can last into adulthood. Some won’t recognise these patterns until they take on greater responsibility in their work or family life, or in other aspects.

Some adults with ADHD may exhibit different symptoms than others. Some may be distractible and others may be unplanned, lack time management or be impulsive.

Typical problems can be:

– Problems sustaining attention on lengthy tasks/repetitive tasks.

Is not reliable in keeping appointments, deadlines or important information.

Is unable to plan tasks and time.

– Starting several activities, but failing to complete them.

Unusually fidgety or unable to relax.

Unpleasantly cutting into conversations and/or acting impulsively.

If a person has one or more of these difficulties, this does not necessarily mean that he or she has ADHD. The symptoms are the same as those of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems and others. A professional evaluation can be useful to ascertain what may be causing these experiences.

Recognition of the signs is crucial.It is important to identify the signs.

Such ongoing attention problems in adults can lead to a feeling of guilt regarding being unorganised, unreliable or lacking motivation. These emotions may over time impact confidence and emotional health.

For instance, a person may consistently be late for work when he/she is motivated, he/she may forget to pick up certain household items or may be unable to keep up with conversations without getting distracted. These experiences can cause frustration, especially if the individual isn’t aware of the reasons why routine activities may appear more challenging.

Being able to spot patterns can be useful, as it allows people to get out of their own heads and take in what they require.

One might want to think about how long they have been there, if they’re in several places and what they do to life activities. Taking notes on particular experiences can also help make discussions with a health-care provider more effective.

With an ADHD assessment, a child can be identified as having ADHD. An assessment is used to provide a diagnosis of ADHD in Adelaide.