According the American Psychological Association, the primary symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are persistent and excessive inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These primary symptoms create additional problems for adults with ADD/ADHD. In their self-help book “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy,” Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo describe these additional symptoms as “secondary symptoms.” These symptoms include impulsivity, mood problems, an unreliable memory and difficulty socializing. Because roles and responsibilities change as we mature, these primary and secondary symptoms often manifest differently in adults.
Inattention
Inattention is more than simply having difficulty paying attention. Problems choosing which information to attend to, difficulty sustaining focus, and an inability to shift focus as needed are all signs of inattention. Due to the complex nature of inattention, adults with ADD/ADHD often experiences problems such as workaholism, persistent single mindedness, and chronic boredom.
Hyperactivity
The term, hyperactivity, clearly suggests being over-active. Although the symptom manifests this way in childhood, the American Psychological Association clarifies that hyperactivity may manifest as “subjective feelings of restlessness” in adults. For adults, these feelings often result as impatience, or a general sense of discomfort, which is difficult to explain.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity occurs anytime we fail to pause and think about the consequences of our decisions. Although children who behave impulsively are often viewed as defiant or selfish, adult impulsivity is seen as poor judgment and carelessness. Adults with ADD/ADHD often experience problems at work and in intimate relationships because of this.
Mood Problems
Primary symptoms create impairment, which frustrates attempts to accomplish goals. This frustration is often the source of mood problems for both children and adults with ADD/ADHD. In children, these moods often manifest as quickly fluctuating anger and sadness. For adults, mood problems manifest primarily as a quick temper, depression or persistent irritability.
Unreliable Memory
The primary symptoms of ADD/ADHD make it difficult to effectively comprehend and memorize technical information. For school-aged children, this is reflected in poor test grades despite an average or above-average IQ. For adults, this problem often manifests in recurring occupational failures. Although an adult with ADD/ADHD may do well during a job interview, problems with memorizing job-specific information often lead to warnings, write-ups and even firings.
Difficulty Socializing
Although we all know the often unspoken rules of interacting with others, the key to successful socialization is learning how to read subtle cues and adjusting our behavior accordingly. People with ADD/ADHD often have difficulty attending to these signals. Even when the cues are identified, it is sometimes difficult to adjust reactions. This is often excused when in children, but adults with ADD/ADHD are often labeled as rude, blunt or uncaring.
References
- “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (4th Edition, Text Revision); The American Psychological Association; 2000.
- “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, Or Crazy: A Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder”; Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo; 2006.
- “International Journal of Neuroscience”; Memory Test in Subgroups of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Reveals Simultaneous Capacity Deficit; Dige Niels, Eija Maahr, and Gunnel Bacenroth-Ohsaka; April, 2008
