
You will need to present with 5 of the symptoms on the list in What is ADHD? and they must have been present before the age of 12.Īs an adult with ADHD, the symptoms manifest differently as follows: Getting a diagnosis as an adult it similar to getting a diagnosis for a child, though you will see seek a referral to a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. Please refer to Conditions that Mimic ADHD and Co-Morbid Conditions to check whether any of these might relate to your situation and of course consult your GP. There are other conditions that can cause ADHD symptoms such as menopause, thyroid issues and other medical issues or psychiatric conditions. If you’re constantly stressed, depressed, anxious, missing, or just managing, deadlines, constantly procrastinating and wondering why you suck at time management – you might have adult ADHD! If you didn’t have a co-morbid learning difficulty and always managed to do well in school or at uni but wonder why you’ve never quite reached your potential, seen others less qualified than you take promotions over you or feel fed up with yourself for just not being able to get on top of life, you may wonder why this is. They learn more about symptoms of ADHD and recognise they have those same symptoms.

Many adults realise they have ADHD when their children are diagnosed.

On the other hand, symptoms may come to the fore when your life changes and you suddenly have less structure or more challenges in life such as, starting uni or a new job, living on your own for the first time or becoming a parent. It can be a huge relief to study in a way that suits you, explore subjects that interest you and discover what you really love.
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The school system is often a difficult place for children with ADHD but once you’re free to choose a career path that suits you, and have developed positive strategies to help you overcome some of your ADHD challenges, life may become easier and outward symptoms less apparent.įreed from the constraints of school, ADHD may become less of an issue for some. As adults we tend to have more self-control, and hyperactivity symptoms tend to lesson with age, but may manifest as fidgeting, or other small movements. Now we understand that 30-60% of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to be affected into adulthood.Īs adults, the symptoms can often lessen as the pre-frontal cortex and executive function matures. It was previously believed that children outgrew ADHD.

Just because you become an adult it doesn’t mean your symptoms magically disappear!
