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I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 21. You may have heard something about Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. There are many stories and myths about this problem that previously targeted only children ~ soon it was discovered to affect adults as well.
The prejudice about treatment was huge, many trying to explain the slow and distracted or agitated and overactive child behavior as normal and the attempt of parents to help them was seen as a lack of patience and time towards their own children. Especially if medications were involved.
ADHD can reveal itself in three types: the person can be more distracted, disinterested and unmotivated most of the time. Opposite to that, they may not be able to stop quiet, be impatient and impulsive. I've been graced with the third type: a mixture of both.
Even if the adult with ADHD was not diagnosed and treated in childhood, it probably did not escape criticism and derogatory labels. Whether by family, school or colleagues. Bullying has always existed. Except for the change of name in modern times. Fortunately, it's no longer seen as simple child nonsense.
However, with the most intense demands of adulthood, you can no longer escape the struggles that come with ADHD. In this situation, many adults begin to wonder: what can be happening to me?
I found the perfect description in this TED talk with Jessica McCabe, owner of How to ADHD channel on YouTube.
Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe
Jessica's story is similar to many people suffering from the disorder. I've summarized some of the symptoms to help you figure out whether that "everyday annoyance" which seems to be procrastinated more than normal can be a factor of concern:
Distraction and difficulty in keeping focus
We all have our lazy hours when it's almost impossible to concentrate. The phone being the leader of distractions. But when even with the phone turned off, your thoughts do not let you finish the page of the book you started reading half an hour ago, something is not right.
Disorganization and lack of Planning
In fact, keeping all things in order, escaping being swallowed up by the mountain of things that accumulate... is far too challenging. Disorganization has its origins in the biological substrate of ADHD — the so-called Executive Dysfunctions. That is why it is so difficult to select which actions are relevant to the current situation, to define the priorities among everything that is waiting to be done. As well as continuing what we already begun without leaving millions of projects unfinished.
Chronic Procrastination
Who doesn't postpone some task once in a while? Exactly. Procrastinating is something human, especially when we have to complete something that does not motivate us.
But when you have ADHD, you procrastinate forever. There's stuff from last year still on your to do list.
In my opinion, this is one of the most devastating manifestations for adults (the other is the difficulty in maintaining motivation levels and the repulsion for potentially non-stimulating activities).
Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus is one of the least understood facets of adult ADHD. It presents itself as an excessive concentration, often disproportionate to the relevance of the fact and inadequate under the circumstances. Yeah, to an outsider, it sounds like selfish and disrespectful. All because hyperfocus only happens with things that are intrinsically interesting and motivating to the person — those highly stimulating.
Looking from the outside, it seems that the person is “addicted” — it can be a TV series, social networks or even computer programs. For the surrounding people, especially partners or mothers, hyperfocus is viewed as “selfishness” or laziness for the most “noble” things, such as dedicating yourself to the family or organizing the house (which is always boring).
Physical and/or Mental Agitation
There are cases of agitation that can be exclusively mental, with disordered ideas constantly succeeding each other. Eventually, there may be a degree of restlessness — not being able to stand still, the need to get up. However, physical restlessness is worse precisely in less stimulating situations, especially when you need to do something you think: “I can't stand it”. Just to exemplify, reading a book, watching a boring lecture, making a spreadsheet.
Impulsivity and Uncontrolled Emotions
Impulsivity often causes a social mismatch. That's the one person who can't keep quiet at the right time, sometimes the “super sincere” type. The person that does things without thinking, just for a few seconds later to regret it. Which can become inconvenient, interrupting others, making unnecessary comments.
Some of the adults with ADHD simultaneously have mood swings that make it difficult to cope well with their feelings, especially irritation, anger, aggression and frustrations. Precisely due to poor self-control of impulses, such outbursts of temperament occurs.
Our brains need constant stimulation
If you're discovering ADHD now, if you've had identification with the symptoms, or if you are already undergoing treatment, there's a good chance that you've spent years before you understand what really happened. In addition, you may have experienced great sense of relief knowing that your difficulties are due to a problem that has a name, which can be addressed. But also for discovering that this is not a character flaw, a personal failure or an incapacity that has no solution.
Keep in mind that adult ADHD is a potentially manageable disorder.
Regardless of how much suffering and inconvenience it may have caused in the past. As you gain a greater understanding of what happens, you will have greater acceptance by the important people in your life. In short, it is entirely possible to live with quality and satisfaction.
It's never too late to change, to seek a better life.
Thanks for reading!
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