Although attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is usually first diagnosed in childhood, it does also affect adults. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that about 7 percent of school-aged children suffer from ADHD; statistics for adult ADHD sufferers have not yet been established. ADHD can be diagnosed as primarily inattentive type, primarily hyperactive type or combined type.
Daydreaming
Inattentive symptoms of ADHD include behaviors such as daydreaming, "zoning out" or getting lost in activities for longer than anticipated. These symptoms may be evident in adult suffers of ADHD, or the byproduct of these symptoms may be evident. For example, it may not be obvious that a coworker is daydreaming, but when he is asked a question, he may embarrass himself by not knowing what the discussion was about.
Carelessness and Forgetfulness
ADHD individuals are rarely detailed-oriented. Typically, adult ADHD sufferers may find they do things like accidentally skip items on important forms like taxes or insurance claims, forget to sign documents before handing them in, or forget to bring everything they need for a presentation. If an adult with ADHD does not compensate for their forgetfulness my using a calendar with a reminder alarm or a PDA to help keep them organized, they may forget due dates and events all together, or think that an event is on a different day.
Difficulty with Time Management
Adults with ADHD often have trouble managing their time. Typically, they underestimate how long it takes them to get a task done. For example, if an woman with ADHD needs to pick up groceries and then pick up her children at school, she may estimate the grocery shopping will take 15 minutes instead of a half hour to an hour. The consequence is she is late to pick up her children. ADHD individuals also commonly have trouble switching tasks. If a man with ADHD is cleaning the house, he might have difficulty stopping in time to take a shower and be ready to go out with his friends. Because of time management problems, adults with ADHD may find themselves perpetually rushing to be on time or ready for daily events.
Impulsive, insensitive or inappropriate behavior
Adults with ADHD symptoms may also find that they often "stick their foot in their mouths" and accidentally say or do something that is insensitive or inappropriate. Although at times this can be funny, at other times it can be damaging. This tendency stems from difficulty with impulsivity, and the concept of thinking before acting.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- BehaveNet Clinical Capsule: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
