Sometimes I get coaching calls from people who say they’re not sure if they have ADHD.
There are so many different symptoms and at various severities that it can be confusing. Add in all the hype, information, and dis-information, and it is easy to understand why adults who are undiagnosed can feel lost.
Because an ADHD diagnosis depends on having multiple symptoms for multiple years, let me offer some of the common behaviors to look for:
Trouble paying attention, easily distracted- Skipping from one activity to another, not able to persist at an activity for the time required to complete it
- Impulsive behavior
- Restless and fidgety
- Verbally impulsive, blurting out things as they come to mind
- Ideas skipping from one to another
- Don’t always think before acting
ADHD is an executive function disorder. Executive function lives in the frontal lobe of your brain and is your ability to self-regulate and get things done. When executive function is not working correctly, people tend to lose organizational control as well as their ability to properly adapt to situations.
The important thing to keep in mind is that all brain function is chemical. If your brain chemistry is off – due to genetics or environment – there is no permanent solution. However, treatment can provide temporary relief as well as coping mechanisms.
ADHD treatments include medication, therapy/behavior modification, lifestyle changes, or a combination. Figuring out what works best for you is best done with your health care provider.
Personally, coaching helped me. Talking with someone who knows about life with ADHD (not just studied it) kept me from feeling isolated or like I had totally lost my mind.