Almost everyone will encounter symptoms similar to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at some point in their lives. If your symptoms are new, or if they have only occurred seldom in the past, you are unlikely to be suffering from ADHD.

ADHD is only diagnosed when the symptoms are severe enough to cause problems in more than one area of your life. The onset of these unpleasant symptoms may be traced back to early childhood.

I started to experience some symptoms when I was in my secondary school classes. However, my parents overlooked them, considering common child behavior.

Yes, I also suffer from ADHD, and I know exactly how it feels going through the symptoms for a long time. 

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Since some of the symptoms of ADHD are similar to those of other disorders, such as anxiety or mood disorders, identifying ADHD in adults may be difficult.

Many individuals who have ADHD may also suffer from other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, in addition to their ADHD. This makes the diagnosis even more difficult among adults. 

What is ADHD?

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear about people with ADHD is a child struggling to stay still in class, probably.

ADHD is often misunderstood as a childhood disease that does not affect individuals until they reach maturity, which is a common misconception.

However, although hyperactivity usually diminishes with maturity, inattention and impulsivity are likely to persist till adulthood in specific individuals. That may be the most important lesson I’ve learned from my experience as an ADHD sufferer.

In my case, I was very active in childhood, always running here and there. It was challenging for me to sit still in class and concentrate on the teacher or book.

When teachers told me about this, my parents started noticing the same at home, and they believed that I had no interest in studying. So, they never thought about ADHD. Honestly, no one around me was aware of such a disorder at that time. 

Whenever a person living with new ADHD walks through the door, I can see concern and anxiety written all over their faces as they explain what makes life so difficult. I want them to believe that everything will work out in the end if we find a solution together. 

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Those who have undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and who learn at a later stage in life that ADHD is the cause of their agitation may find the path to discovery and rehabilitation especially challenging.

What are the Different Phases of realizing that you have ADHD?

First Phase

Feelings of excitement and relief characterize the initial phase. Up until this point, I’ve seen everything from weary comfort to pure ecstasy in one individual.

Furthermore, nearly every person shares the same sentiment: “I had no idea ADHD had such a significant effect on my life!”

They’d like to learn how to navigate life by adhering to a set of rules that they believe they should have followed all along.

Challenges

The second phase will be more challenging than the previous one. After seeing the signs, you may wonder whether it is ADHD or you just have concentration problems, or you are hyperactive.

You will begin to counter yourself against ADHD symptoms, and I can say that because I did the same. I started thinking that I may be overthinking this; maybe I’m just under stress or losing my focus, that’s all. But eventually, you will realize that it is much more than mere stress.  

Exploration phase

Once you start taking it seriously, you will get eager to know more about this disorder. I call this phase the exploration phase.

Here, when you start looking on the internet for more explanation or contact a professional, you explore the truth. You will get to know how common ADHD is, and you are not the only one struggling. 

Individuals with ADHD who aren’t fully engaged in what they’re doing may have difficulties in the next phase. Alternatively, if they get bored, the novelty of a new job or hobby may give them the adrenaline spike they need.

In contrast, those with ADHD prefer activities that are more like sprints than long-distance marathons.

Frustration

The fourth phase is one of frustration. In the end, everyone diagnosed with ADHD must confront the reality of living with an unyielding disease that is lifelong, chronic, and debilitating.

There is no way out, no way back, and no way out of this situation. Understandably, this is a terrifying prospect, but it is the harsh reality of the current situation.

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If there are no visual cues, children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty remembering what they have and where.

Does it happen to you that you often find spoiled food in your refrigerator because you forgot it was there? Because it happens with me a lot and especially with the TV remote. 

Acceptance 

Acceptance is the last step of the process, which helped me deal with ADHD. This is the phase that is the most difficult to notice.

Once someone has been diagnosed with ADHD, it is also where most of them end up. By this stage, the individual has come to terms with their ADHD and how it manifests in their lives.

People with chronic illnesses are aware that there are methods for treating and even conquering some aspects of the disease, including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approaches.

Adrenaline rushes are very helpful for people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many individuals with ADHD do very well in high-pressure, fast-paced occupations such as emergency services, healthcare, entertainment, and high-tech industries.

When under time constraints, they may create their best work. The presence of adult ADHD may be detected when you suddenly find yourself able to focus when the strain is put on.

Some of the Symptoms to see when you have ADHD

However, although some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they get older, others continue to experience severe symptoms that impair their functioning ability in daily situations.

Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and restlessness. The signs and symptoms might range from mild to severe in harshness.

Adults with ADHD could have trouble concentrating and prioritizing, leading to unkept promises and forgotten appointments or social plans.

Many individuals who have ADHD are entirely unaware that they have the condition; all they know is that their everyday tasks are complex for them to complete.

Impulse control problems may express themselves in several ways, from annoyance when waiting in line or driving through traffic to mood swings and furious outbursts, to name a few.

Coexisting preconditions with ADHD

Exploring ADHD forums and websites after self-diagnosing with the disease was an eye-opening experience for me. The difficulties that several other individuals experience are the same as mine.

Moreover, I noticed them sharing my sense of humor, worldviews, habits, and brains. It may be very beneficial when you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to connect with people having similar problems, characteristics, and perspectives on life.

Although ADHD is not linked to other psychiatric or developmental disorders, other diseases often coexist with ADHD, making treatment more challenging. The following are some examples:

Mood disorder

The term “mood disorder” refers to a kind of mental disease. While attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not necessarily the cause of mood disorders, a pattern of failures and disappointments due to ADHD may aggravate depression.

Many individuals with ADHD also have depression, bipolar disorder, or other kinds of mental illnesses.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are a kind of mental health problem. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have anxiety issues.

Excessive worry, anxiety, and other symptoms are common signs of anxiety disorders. The challenges and setbacks that may occur due to ADHD may increase anxiety.

There are a variety of mental disorders. ADHD puts children and adults at a greater risk of acquiring other mental diseases, including personality disorders, intermittent explosive disorder, and drug addiction.

photo of man leaning on wooden table
Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

Learning disabilities are a common occurrence in the classroom. Adults with ADHD may not do well in academic exams than their age, IQ, and education would suggest. Learning disabilities may appear as difficulty understanding and communicating.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disease that affects the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for administrative processes such as planning and organizing, emotional management, and impulse control.

Most children with ADHD grow up to be adults with ADHD because, although symptoms may shift and alter with age, they seldom disappear completely.

ADHD in adults appears and behaves differently from ADHD in children. Yet doctors’ diagnostic criteria do not distinguish between adult and juvenile symptoms, resulting in less accurate evaluations.

Conclusion

While there is no cure for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), many treatments and methods may help you achieve your objectives.

You should seek evaluation from a qualified mental health professional as soon as you suspect you may have adult ADHD. You should forward this information to anybody else who may be experiencing the same difficulties.

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