According to ADHD UK, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects 2.6 million people across the UK.
Historically, and particularly in schools, the ‘naughty kid’ is the one who has ADHD but as we learn more about ADHD, this is far from the truth as we’re discovering more and more that it effects adults as well.
The NHS define it like this:
“As ADHD is a developmental disorder, it’s believed it cannot develop in adults without it first appearing during childhood.
“But symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers often continue into adulthood.”
Whilst most cases of the disorder are diagnosed in children under 12, sometimes it is not picked up and continues into adulthood without a diagnosis.
There are many videos & clips shared on Social Media that encourage people to self-diagnose, but as these videos rise, experts have warned against doing this, as so many ADHD symptoms overlap with many other conditions to do with mental health.
It’s always advised that you get a full, professional diagnosis.
That being said, we know waiting lists are long and often a diagnosis can be costly, so if you think there’s a chance you could have it, the NHS has shared a list of symptoms that could help adults determine whether a diagnosis is worth pursuing, or not.
ADHD Symptoms include:
- Carelessness and Lack of Attention to Detail:
Persistent difficulty in completing everyday tasks. - Restlessness and Edginess:
Chronic restlessness beyond occasional anxiety or caffeine effects. - Mood Swings and Irritability:
Frequent emotional outbursts and difficulty managing attention. - Inability to Focus or Prioritise:
Regular trouble with concentration and task prioritisation. - Conversational Difficulties:
Interrupting frequently and forgetting parts of conversations.
Other symptoms on the list include:
- Poor organisational skills
- Continually losing or misplacing things
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty keeping quiet
- Extreme impatience
- Taking risks in activities – such as dangerous driving, for example
For more details, click here
