Could I Have ADHD?
Could I Have ADHD?
Has anyone ever asked you if you have ADHD? Maybe you've even wondered yourself.
The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor. That's because the disorder has a number of possible symptoms, and they can easily be confused with those of other conditions, like depression or anxiety.
Aging and ADHD
ADHD doesn't just affect kids or young adults. If you're an older adult who often feels distracted and disorganized and struggles to complete tasks, it may be worth finding out if you've been living with undiagnosed ADHD."I have patients in their 50s, 60s, and early 70s who were never diagnosed before and were prompted to consider ADHD after their child or grandchild got diagnosed. It's highly genetic," says David W. Goodman, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at...
Read the Aging and ADHD article > >
Not sure whether you should get checked by a doc? Ask yourself these questions to help you decide if you need to take that step.
Do people say you're forgetful?
Everyone misplaces car keys or jackets once in a while. But this kind of thing happens often when you have ADHD. You might spend time looking for glasses, wallets, phones, and other items every day. You may also forget to return phone calls, space out on paying bills, or miss important work deadlines and medical appointments. Does this sound familiar?
Do people complain that you don't listen?
Most of us lose focus on a conversation once in a while, especially if there's a TV nearby or something else grabs our attention. This happens often and to a greater degree with ADHD, even when there are no distractions around.
Are you often late?
Most of us will admit to being tardy once in a while -- we got caught in traffic or just got lost in a conversation. But time management is an ongoing challenge when you have ADHD. It often leads to missed deadlines or appointments.
Do you have trouble concentrating?
Problems with attention, especially focusing for long periods of time or paying attention to details, is one of the hallmarks of the condition. Depression, anxiety, and addiction disorders can also take a toll on your focus, and many people with ADHD have one or more of these issues, too. Your doctor can ask you questions to get to the bottom of what's causing your attention problems.
Do you leave things undone?
Problems with attention and memory can make it tough to start or finish projects, especially ones that you know will take a lot of focus to complete. This symptom can point to depression, too.
The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor. That's because the disorder has a number of possible symptoms, and they can easily be confused with those of other conditions, like depression or anxiety.
Recommended Related to ADD-ADHD
Aging and ADHD
ADHD doesn't just affect kids or young adults. If you're an older adult who often feels distracted and disorganized and struggles to complete tasks, it may be worth finding out if you've been living with undiagnosed ADHD."I have patients in their 50s, 60s, and early 70s who were never diagnosed before and were prompted to consider ADHD after their child or grandchild got diagnosed. It's highly genetic," says David W. Goodman, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at...
Read the Aging and ADHD article > >
Not sure whether you should get checked by a doc? Ask yourself these questions to help you decide if you need to take that step.
Do people say you're forgetful?
Everyone misplaces car keys or jackets once in a while. But this kind of thing happens often when you have ADHD. You might spend time looking for glasses, wallets, phones, and other items every day. You may also forget to return phone calls, space out on paying bills, or miss important work deadlines and medical appointments. Does this sound familiar?
Do people complain that you don't listen?
Most of us lose focus on a conversation once in a while, especially if there's a TV nearby or something else grabs our attention. This happens often and to a greater degree with ADHD, even when there are no distractions around.
Are you often late?
Most of us will admit to being tardy once in a while -- we got caught in traffic or just got lost in a conversation. But time management is an ongoing challenge when you have ADHD. It often leads to missed deadlines or appointments.
Do you have trouble concentrating?
Problems with attention, especially focusing for long periods of time or paying attention to details, is one of the hallmarks of the condition. Depression, anxiety, and addiction disorders can also take a toll on your focus, and many people with ADHD have one or more of these issues, too. Your doctor can ask you questions to get to the bottom of what's causing your attention problems.
Do you leave things undone?
Problems with attention and memory can make it tough to start or finish projects, especially ones that you know will take a lot of focus to complete. This symptom can point to depression, too.
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