What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms of ADHD?
Take a moment to learn about the signs and symptoms of ADHD and see if this sounds like you or someone you love.
Adhd can look different in everyone. It is categorized in 3 subtypes. Inattentive, Hyperactive, and Combined type. It is now recognized by psychologists and professionals as ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition(DSM-5).
The old diagnosis was called ADD, it has since been amended to ADHD to include hyperactivity, even if hyperactivity does not present in a specific person. It is now called ADHD for everyone. There are many symptoms of ADHD that can be observed both in kids and adults even though children and adults may present differently.
Common Symptoms of ADHD May Include
1. Lack of Focus
Inattention can present itself in both children and adults. Those with ADHD have interest driven brain wiring, so if the individual is not focused, they can easily drift off into daydreaming or working on other things easily. Whether that stray thought is about what they’re having for dinner or if they remembered to start the washing machine, the stray thoughts usually drag the individual away from what’s happening at the moment. 2. Taking Frequent Risk
Lack of impulse control is something that both children and adults with ADHD may struggle with. Many people with ADHD can forget to think things through and act quickly. This can lead to risk taking or bad decisions simply because they didn't take a moment to think it through. Some ways this can present itself is:
Risky activities
High energy or dangerous sports/activities
Driving fast
Binge behavior (impulse spending, binge eating, etc.)
Lashing out - saying something that we later regret
Working on rewiring their thoughts a person can learn to think things through, and not be as impulsive. Self awareness can be learned.
3. Interrupting Others
Someone with ADHD can speak very rapidly, change topics often, and interrupt others. This is caused by the speed of their brain and how quickly they process. Many people with ADHD are unaware of this behavior. Oftentimes, they are trying to get the information out quickly to avoid forgetting.
4. Forgetfulness
Does misplacing keys, forgetting assignments, running late to appointments, forgetting someone's name when first introduced, and forgetting to close cabinet doors sound like you?
People with ADHD have so much information in their brains it can cause them to be overwhelmed and forgetful. This can present in all ages but can get worse with age. A lot of times we are rushing to get tasks done but then begin a new task and forget about the one we already were working on.
Forgetfulness can manifest itself in many different forms as explained above and can even cause a strain on relationships. Constant nagging from parents, partners, or roommates to not forget things can be exhausting for both parties. This is a common symptom of ADHD as many individuals will be processing so much information at once that they will forget about the other tasks they were focused on.
5. Seeming to Be Constantly in Motion
Hyperactivity can be very present outwardly in children, mostly boys. Fidgety, can’t sit still, always wanting to be in motion and having a ton of excess energy in them. As a child gets older and slows down physically, this hyperactivity can increase within our minds. Overwhelmed with all that needs to get done or everything we have to do. Having so much in our brains and trying to process it so quickly can cause us to become metaphorically paralyzed. A fight, flight, or freeze situation. Stress, which includes high cortisol levels, increases our inability to balance all of life’s demanding aspects.
Do Signs and Symptoms Differ For Adults and Children?
Some signs of ADHD for children include:
Fidgeting
Lack of impulse control
Trouble regulating emotions
Emotional outbursts
Daydreaming
Forgetfulness
Inattentiveness when spoken to
Not doing what is asked of them
Problems with self awareness
Inability to maintain friendships or pick up on social cues
Signs of ADHD for adults include:
Anxiety
Depression
Overwhelm
Inability to begin a project
Constantly feeling overwhelmed and stressed
Forgetfulness
Memory loss
Losing things and misplacing items
Making bad decisions with finances
Addiction and substance abuse
Impulsive shopping
Loss of time management
Exhaustion/fatigue
Loss of desire to do anything
Loss of joy
Can an ADHD Life Coach Can Help You Manage Your ADHD?
A certified and accredited ADHD Life Coach can help a child, adult, or family get on the track. We work for our clients to become more self aware of how their brain works and help connect puzzle pieces you couldn't seem to put together on your own. We can educate you and provide you with ADHD research and stats to help validate how ADHD plays out in your life. Helping you not only find what is holding you back, but construct ways to move past the obstacles that hold you back. We work with you as a team and help you navigate the ADHD labyrinth. It is a strength based coaching style, different from therapy.
How is a Life Coach Different From Other Therapy?
A coach will ask you questions specifically on the topic you need help with. They help in rewiring the way you think. We all have a way of thinking that doesn't allow us to think of different pathways or ways to work around an obstacle. A coach partners with you and breaks down those obstacles with you. We may think there is only one way of approaching a situation, when in fact there are many. Many times it is ourselves sabotaging our own efforts, or allowing the fear or anxiety to stand in our way. If we are highly stressed we go into a freeze, fight, or flight situation unable to process our own ideas and thoughts. A coach helps you process differently and slowly the client opens up new pathways to their thinking. Conquering obstacles and releasing a lot of self doubt, fear, and insecurities to build back the self esteem and confidence within all of us. Have additional questions? Feel free to reach out!
