Many people understand right away when they hear you have ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as the hyperactivity and impulsive components are easily recognized and accepted as part of ADHD. Having ADD however is less likely to be understood – when you take away the hyperactivity or impulsive behaviors what do you have left?
Adult ADD Primary Symptom
With adult ADD the primary symptom is a persistent pattern of inattention that interferes with normal daily life functioning. With ADD the components of hyperactivity or impulsive behaviors are not present. The symptoms of ADD typically are found interfering in two or more areas of a person’s life, such as at home, work, school, or in social situations.
Questions to Ask Yourself About ADD
If you find you are answering yes to the following questions it may be time to pick up the phone and make the call for a confidential evaluation with a qualified mental health professional experienced in treating adults with attention deficit disorder. You may not have ADD; however, if you do answer yes to several of the following questions it could indicate a need for professional help to change what is interfering with living life to the fullest.
- Have difficulty keeping your attention on either a work task or fun activity?
- Have trouble remaining focused during conversations, while reading or listening to others?
- Find you are easily distracted by something in your environment or by unrelated thoughts?
- Avoid taking part in tasks that require sustained mental effort or thought?
- Find that your mind wanders off to somewhere else while listening to someone, even when they are speaking directly to you?
- Find that you miss project deadlines, pay bills late, have trouble managing your time, or have difficulty organizing daily activities or tasks?
- Make careless mistakes because you fail to pay good attention to details?
- Often lose or misplace something that needed like your glasses, phone, wallet, keys, etc.?
- Find yourself sidetracked, losing focus and fail to finish chores or duties?
- Have trouble waiting your turn (in line, to talk, etc.)?
Find Help from a Psychiatrist
These are just a few of the more common symptoms of adult ADD. If you have any concerns about your mental health, behaviors, or if your symptoms are interfering with living and going about with your daily life, make the call.