Lack of motivation, procrastination, sluggishness, inability to finish tasks in a timely manner, disorganized, scattered, and overwhelmed. These are some of the common complaints that result in many adults feeling defeated and ineffective. The underlying cause could be undiagnosed ADHD.
Many adults live with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and don’t recognize it. The inability to recognize that they are struggling with Adult ADHD could be that symptoms may be mistaken as those resulting from a stressful and chaotic lifestyle.
As such, myths, stigmas, coinciding symptoms, and limited understanding makes identification and diagnosis of ADHD difficult in adults.
ADHD is predominantly considered to be a developmental/pediatric disorder, but there are extensive longitudinal research studies that conclude the prevalence of ADHD-symptomatology in adults. In simpler terms, these are children who never outgrow their symptoms.
Below are some questionnaires from the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which can be used as a starting point to help you recognize the symptoms of Adult ADHD. However, it is not meant to replace consultation with a trained health-care professional for accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.
Please answer the questions below, rating yourself on each of the criteria shown as occurring Never, Rarely, Sometimes, or Often.
1. How often do you have difficulty keeping your attention while doing something for work or school, a hobby, or a fun activity?
2. How often are you easily distracted by something in your environment?
3. How often do you avoid or delay tasks or work that require a lot of mental effort or thoughts?
4. How often do you have trouble listening to someone, even when they are speaking directly to you?
5. How often do you have difficulty organizing an activity or a task that you need to get done?
6. How often do you make careless mistakes in things such as schoolwork, a chore, or activity, or something at work?
7. How often do you forget to do something you do all the time, such as missing an appointment or forgetting things such as keys, phones, lunch, etc.?
8. How often do you have trouble completing your schoolwork, a project, or a responsibility at work, once all the challenging or fun parts have been done?
9. How often do you feel fidgety, especially when sitting for long periods of time?
10. How often do you feel like you’re “on the go”, compelled to do things, or feel like you’re “driven by a motor”?
11. How often do you begin to answer a question before it’s done being asked?
12. How often do you feel restless – like you want to go out and do something?
13. How often do you find it difficult to relax, unwind, and just spend quiet time with yourself?
14. How often do you interrupt others or butt into their conversations?
If you answered “sometimes and/or often” to the above questions, contact NRS|LS to schedule an initial consultation to discuss the concerns for diagnostic clarification and to inform treatment planning.
Diagnostic clarity and appropriate treatment can substantially reduce ADHD-symptoms for improved daily functioning and overall well-being.
Mihir J. Shah, Psy.D.
Clinical Neuropsychologist