ALL ABOUT
ADHD

  • ADHD SYMPTOMS OF INATTENTION

    • Makes careless mistakes/lacks attention to detail

    • Has difficulty sustaining attention

    • Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

    • Fails to follow through on tasks and instructions

    • Exhibits poor organization

    • Avoids/dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort

    • Loses things necessary for tasks/activities

    • Is easily distracted (including unrelated thoughts)

    • Is forgetful in daily activities

  • ADHD SYMPTOMS OF HYPERACTIVITY / IMPULSIVITY

    • Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, squirms in seat

    • Leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected

    • Experiences feelings of restlessness

    • Has difficulty engaging in quiet, leisurely activities

    • Is frequently "on-the-go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"

    • Talks excessively

    • Blurts out answers

    • Has difficulty waiting their turn

    • Interrupts or intrudes on others

  • SYMPTOMS MUST OCCUR OFTEN

ADHD DEFINED

ADHD is an impulse control disorder at its base. By impulse control, we’re not talking about buying a boat when you should have bought food. We mean impulses that lead you away from the everyday tasks you should be doing.

In regards to adult ADHD, we’re not so concerned about adults getting out of their seats and pulling Suzy’s pigtails, but more of the impulse to stop doing one task and start a new task that will provide more of a dopamine reward.

Let’s say you’re focusing on a work project at home, but then decide you should start a load of laundry. You go to your room to collect the laundry and see an old photo album. You want to look at the photo album and promise yourself that you’ll get back to the laundry soon. But then you see a picture of an old friend, and you want to send an email to that friend. You go back to your computer to send the email and see the project you were supposed to be working on. And you’ve totally forgotten about the laundry. Do you open another tab on the computer to compose that email?

If you’re reading about ADHD and you think you might have it, this example should sound familiar.
Of course, this is just one example of what ADHD looks like in the adult world.