Undiagnosed ADHD in Adults

Adults who were not diagnosed with ADHD as children might struggle with a myriad of problems, including work, relationships, and finances. This can cause feelings of shame, frustration and anxiety.

When an adult gets diagnosed with undiagnosed ADHD and is diagnosed with ADHD, they may feel relief that they finally have a clear explanation of the difficulties they've encountered throughout their lives. They may also experience secondary effects such as:

Relationships

Getting married or settling down with a long-term partner typically means having someone to share the challenges and joys of everyday life. Being able to share the running of the household, care for children and offer emotional support. For couples where one or both of the partners suffer from undiagnosed ADHD, this may not be the case. People who do not have ADHD may feel overwhelmed, angry and feel as if they are nagged or micromanaged by their spouse with ADHD. The spouses of those with ADHD can feel emasculated and unwelcome because they are constantly corrected and reminded how they behave in public.

Inattention and forgetfulness in adults with ADHD are often interpreted by their loved ones as a lack of care, which could lead to arguments and hurt feelings. Couples may also suffer from a lack in communication, in which important concerns are left unanswered or ignored altogether.

If not treated, the symptoms of adult ADHD can affect work and relationships, but more importantly they can result in health issues like depression, addiction, anxiety and low self-esteem. Roy says he believes the government needs to invest more in the training of psychiatrists and assist those with undiagnosed ADHD get the treatment they require as if they are left untreated those who suffer from ADHD are more at risk of harming themselves or others.

Understanding ADHD in both you and your partner will help you to learn how to manage it. Couples that are honest, open and committed to each other can overcome challenges in their relationship even if both of them suffer from ADHD.

If you are struggling in your relationship try to talk about it in a calm and private manner. Pick a time when there aren't many distractions and make sure you keep eye contact throughout your conversation. If you or your friend begins to lose focus, ask them to repeat the words they're using so they can clearly hear your voice. It is recommended to tackle these issues as soon they occur before anger and resentment develop. This also gives your partner the chance to amend the situation if they haven't already.

Time Management

The most challenging thing for those who suffer from ADHD is managing their time. They might not know how long it takes to accomplish anything and are easily distracted, leading them to put off tasks or even not meet deadlines. They also might struggle with impulse spending and struggle to keep a budget in check. People who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty staying focused and remembering important information.

Undiagnosed ADHD in adults can lead to issues with relationships and finances. Doctors who don't have the proper education may not be able to detect the symptoms of ADHD. Many people are not diagnosed until adulthood. The shadow minister of mental health, Barbara Keeley, believes that the government must invest more in psychiatrists and education courses for GPs as well as trainees, because this is crucial to getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult the most accurate diagnosis.

In addition to not being able to manage their time, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are more likely to have difficulty keeping their emotions in check. They often have a hard time understanding their own feelings and those of others which can cause problems with relationships. People with undiagnosed ADHD are prone to mood swings and can quickly alter their opinions about a topic or a person.

According to Dr. Ashok Roy, head of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' intellectual disability faculty, women with undiagnosed ADHD are more likely to experience issues with attention, which can be accompanied by daydreaming and emotional issues and men are more likely to experience more hyperactivity and behavioural issues. He suggests that a proper diagnosis should include a lengthy interview that dives into the patient's social and emotional history. It also includes an interview with relatives who can provide perspective on the child's behavior.

In addition to seeking a diagnosis, people with undiagnosed ADHD can try various strategies to manage their time and improve their organization skills. This might include using a planner or color-coding system, notes to self, reminders and daily routines. You can also download a no-cost app such as RescueTime that tracks the use of websites and apps to help users understand the things that distract them, which time of the day they are most productive and develop a plan to maximize productivity.

Memory

If you've lived with undiagnosed ADHD for their entire life, memory could be a major issue. People suffering from ADHD struggle with short-term memory and be more difficult to remember things they've learned. They also have problems with working memory. This is the tiny amount of information they keep in their heads when they're solving problems, following instructions or dealing with emotions and stress.

As an adult the responsibilities that come with work and family demand more of an individual than they did during childhood. The increased workload, when combined with the symptoms of ADD and ADHD, can create a lot of stress on the ability to keep up. This often leads to procrastination and disorganization, leaving tasks unfinished or relegated to the last minute. This can cause an downward spiral of anger and low-self-esteem that may result in an increase in ADHD symptoms.

It's possible that a child suffering from ADHD might not be recognized because they're hiding their symptoms with inadequate study habits, lack of organization skills or excessive fidgeting. This is especially true in the workplace, where a person with adhd adult diagnosis could be viewed as irresponsible or lazy because of their lack of focus.

Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms can be difficult to identify in adults, undiagnosed as they're often subtler than in children. For instance, hyperactivity among children is more apparent than in adults, who may seem overwhelmed or stressed by the demands of their day-to-day lives. Adults suffering from ADHD should be aware of the subtle symptoms, such as daydreaming or difficulty following directions, forgetting important dates or taking on too many tasks at a time.

One study revealed that ADHD adults' weaknesses in working memory were caused by biological factors that affect the frontal brain lobe which is responsible for the ability to focus and impulse control. Participants who performed better in an 0-back, 1-back, n-back memory test showed less activity than those who did less well. This finding is in the same vein as previous studies that have shown a connection between ADHD and lower working memory performance.

Fidgeting

Fidgeting is a common reaction for many people when they are feeling nervous or anxious. Fidgeting is also a method to alleviate boredom, release more energy and increase focus. But, for those who aren't able to control their fidgeting, it could become an issue. You can learn how to manage your symptoms and take control of your life.

You may have trouble being still or paying to class or meetings. This can be very frustrating both for you and others, especially if you are constantly interrupted or disappear into your thoughts. Fidgeting can be mistaken for being distracted or not paying attention to other people. You could miss important information. This could affect your performance at work and in your career as well as your personal relationships.

Fidgeters can develop BFRBs (Body-Focused Repeated Behaviors) which are destructive and harmful habits like hair pulling, nail biting and dermatillomania. These behaviors are similar, but cause physical harm. These actions can be self-destructive and even life-threatening in some cases.

The good news is that you can learn to overcome the fidgeting issues caused by undiagnosed ADHD and BFRBs. You can redirect your fidgeting to something more productive, such as chewing a piece of gum or undiagnosed using a spinner. You can also set limits on the length of time you fidget and locate an accountability partner to talk with if you exceed your limit. You can also take breaks and engage in activities that stimulate your mind and keep you focused on your work at hand.

It's a good idea to talk to a therapist when you're unsure whether your ADHD symptoms have an impact on your daily life. Answer a few questions from the comfort of your home and you'll be matched with an experienced professional therapist in just 48 hours. Click here to find out more.