Treat Yourself Well
ADHD in Adults
What is ADHD? ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) is a label used to describe individuals whose early brain development...
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ADHD in Adults
What is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) is a label used to describe individuals whose early brain development and overall brain style appear - from a neurotypical viewpoint – to: 'show persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity which interfere with development and functioning.'
ADHD is most often identified in children, but that doesn't mean that children are the only ones with ADHD. In fact, ADHD is life-long - so if you are born with it, it’s here to stay and that’s okay!
Can you be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult?
Yes. You’d be surprised how many ADHDer’s are not identified in their school years. Most often, this is because they possess more inattentive signs of ADHD and were not highlighted for being 'disruptive' to other people in school. Or, it’s because they have gone through their entire lives consciously and/or subconsciously masking all possible signs of being different (aka: having an ADHD brain). These people have had ADHD all along but just haven’t known it.
It's never too late to be identified.
What are the signs of ADHD?
ADHD is diagnosed in individuals who possess traits classed as ‘inattentive’ and/or ‘hyperactive’ by the DSM 5.
In the following table, we list the ADHD traits mentioned in the DSM 5, with some examples on how they may present in adults who mask.
Innattentive ADHD
DSM ‘Inattention’ Symptom
How it might present in adults
Making careless mistakes/lacking attention to detail
Difficulty sustaining attention
Not seeming to listen when spoken to directly
Failing to follow through on tasks and instructions
Exhibiting poor organization skills
Avoiding/disliking tasks requiring sustained mental effort
Losing things necessary for tasks/activities
Easily distracted (including unrelated thoughts)
Forgetfulness in daily activities
Excessive checking to prevent mistakes
Needing coffee, music, or distraction to focus
Mentally finishing people’s sentences
Pulling all-nighters to ‘keep up’ with work
Painful agitation at check-outs or in traffic
Asking “where’s my …?!” all the time
Telling multiple side-stories within one main story
Setting alarms for every 5 minutes in the morning
Want to find out more?
To learn more or to enquire about our ADHD assessments, contact us at: info@treatyourselfwell.com.au, or give us a call on (02) 9555 4810.
Read More on ADHD
Impulsive ADHD
DSM 5 ‘Hyperactive/
Impulsive’ symptom
How it might present in adults
Fidgeting with or tapping hands or feet, squirming in seat
Leaving seat when remaining seated is expected
Experiencing feelings of restlessness
Having difficulty engaging in quiet, leisurely activities
Being “on-the-go” or acts as if “driven by a motor”
Talking excessively
Blurting out answers
Having difficulty waiting one’s turn
Interrupting or intruding on others
Looking around, fidgeting in subtle ways
Staying seated and feeling uncomfortable
Using substances to dull discomfort
Going out every night/constant productivity
Being overly anxious about over-sharing
Focusing on not interrupting & forgetting to listen.
Waiting while feeling tense and uncomfortable
Excessive apologizing/extreme independence
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