Beyond Childhood: ADHD in Adults
Beyond Childhood: ADHD in Adults
Whether you’re an adult diagnosed with ADHD or you think you might have ADHD, you’ve probably heard all sorts of things. Phrases like, “You should be able to focus by now,” or “Why don’t you just get organized?” But here’s the truth—ADHD doesn’t magically disappear as you age. It just evolves, often in ways that are harder to spot. So, let’s break it down, because understanding what ADHD really looks like in adults is key to finally getting the help and understanding you deserve.
What ADHD in Adults Looks Like
First things first: ADHD in adults is not just about being hyperactive or “unable to sit still” like the picture we usually paint of ADHD in kids. Sure, sometimes you still struggle with that, but adult ADHD shows up in ways that are way more subtle and tricky. It’s not always about running around or climbing on the furniture; sometimes, it’s about that constant sense of being overwhelmed, forgetful, impulsive, or disorganized, even in a high-stakes adult world.
Adults with ADHD have difficulty accepting delayed gratification which is what leads to impulsive decision making. Do you have a tendency to seek immediate rewards and struggle with waiting for long-term benefits.This could involve impulsive purchases, career changes, or relationship decisions. Impulsivity in adults can affect areas like spending habits, eating, or seeking out pleasure or excitement.
Your not just busy….
Many adults with ADHD experience difficulty focusing on tasks, especially the ones that aren’t immediately engaging or interesting. Let’s say you start a task, but then get distracted by something else; an email, a phone notification, a random thought—and then suddenly, that work project or important email you meant to send is nowhere to be found. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Research shows that inattention and impulsivity are core components of ADHD, and they manifest in ways that can feel frustrating as an adult (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
Still for many, the battle is about time management. Do you find yourself feeling like deadlines tend to sneak up on you? Or like it’s hard to follow a routine? ADHD can make it seem like your internal clock is always a few steps behind everyone else’s. You even find yourself procrastinating on things that you know need to get done, but it feels like there’s this mental block that makes focusing feel impossible. And then when you do sit down to do something, it’s like trying to juggle 15 thoughts at once; Your mind is constantly in overdrive.
Feeling overwhelmed but other’s have it together?
Then there’s the emotional rollercoaster. Adults with ADHD often experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and frustration. The self-doubt, the feelings of inadequacy, constantly feeling like you’re not measuring up to your potential. Those with adults with ADHD will think “Why can’t I just get it together?” The answer isn’t simple. ADHD affects how your brain regulates emotions, making it harder to control stress, frustration, and even excitement (Barkley, 2015).
How ADHD in Adults Differs from ADHD in Children
If you’ve ever watched a child with ADHD in action, you’ve probably noticed the typical signs: hyperactivity, constant movement, and difficulty paying attention. But as a child grows into adulthood, ADHD looks a lot different. The external hyperactivity has reduced, but the internal restlessness is still there. In fact, one major difference between childhood and adult ADHD is that hyperactivity tends to turn into mental restlessness. This leaves you feeling like your mind is always racing and never settling down, even if you’re not moving physically (American Psychiatric Association, 2021).
Children with ADHD often have obvious behaviors that teachers, parents, and doctors can easily spot. As an adult, however, the symptoms can be more hidden. ADHD presents itself as a lack of organization, a failure to meet deadlines, or chronic forgetfulness. These presentations can easily be brushed off as laziness or poor time management, especially by people who don’t understand the full scope of ADHD. Adults with ADHD can also have trouble in relationships because of their impulsivity or tendency to overlook details, like missing important dates or forgetting what their partner said just hours ago. The emotional toll of feeling misunderstood can be overwhelming (Kooij et al., 2010).
The Hidden Struggles: Why ADHD in Adulthood is Harder to Spot
Adult ADHD is often underdiagnosed. As we get older, there’s this pressure to “have it together” in ways that just aren’t realistic for people with ADHD. It’s easy to write off symptoms as something else, like stress, anxiety, or just “being disorganized” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022). You’ve gone through your life thinking, “I’m just a bit messy” or “I’m just forgetful,” but let’s face it, those small things add up, affecting your career, your relationships, and your mental health.
It’s also worth mentioning that co-existing conditions are common. ADHD often coexists with other conditions, like anxiety or depression, which can make things even harder to identify. Which leads you to feel like there’s something more going on, but can’t quite put your finger on it.
So, What Can You Do?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds exactly like me,” you’re not alone. Many people deal with ADHD every day and don’t realize what it actually is. You don’t have to suffer in silence. ADHD in adults is real, and it can be managed with the right tools. Therapy, medication or natural supplements, lifestyle changes, and creating structure in your day-to-day life can all make a massive difference.
If you think you might have ADHD, it’s worth talking to a healthcare provider who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Getting a proper diagnosis can open the door to the support and resources that can make your day-to-day life a lot more manageable. Therapists at Miracles Counseling Centers can help you to begin assessing the possibility that ADHD is actually what is impacting your day to day functiioning.
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Mental Health is the National Focus of May
This month, Miracles Counseling Centers is joining the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Millions of Americans are currently living with a mental illness, and this number is growing. The sad reality is that many of these individuals do not receive the support they need due to stigma or a lack of understanding surrounding mental health, the resources available to them, and the importance of seeking help. Mental health is a huge part of our overall health, so we must take care of it! This is why it is so important that we take time this month to engage in intentional conversations about mental health, fight against stigma, and show our support for those in our lives who are struggling. We want to start by sharing information on the mental health resources available to you! That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the larger mental health advocacy groups out there and how they work to support mental health in our country.
Mental Health America (MHA)
Who They Are: Mental Health America is a national community-based nonprofit that is focused on promoting mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all, early identification for those at risk, early identification & intervention for those at risk, and integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them, with recovery as the goal.
What They Do: MHA provides education and outreach to help Americans of all ages to better understand prevention, early identification, and intervention through access to online screening tools, information, and events. MHA collaborates with its over 200 affiliates in 41 states to bring information and referral, support groups, rehabilitation services, as well as socialization and housing services to those struggling with mental health issues and their loved ones in communities around the country. MHA also works with these affiliates to advance policy recommendations promoting mental health.
Website: https://mhanational.org/
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
Who They Are: The National Alliance on Mental Health is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI started as a group of families around a kitchen table in 1979 and is now an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 48 State Organizations who work in our communities to raise awareness and provide support and education to those in need.
What They Do: NAMI offers educational classes, training, and presentations on various mental health topics. They advocate for public policy changes in favor of mental health. The toll-free NAMI HelpLine is available to anyone in need of emotional health support. NAMI leads public events and activities to fight mental health stigma in communities across the nation. Their website has lots of information on mental health conditions and their appropriate treatments, as well as blog posts that share personal stories.
Website: https://nami.org/home
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Who They Are: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a voluntary health organization that seeks to provide a national community for those affected by suicide in an effort to empower and advocate for them. AFSP’s mission is to save lives and bring hope to those in our country who have been impacted by suicide.
What They Do: The AFSP funds scientific research and advocates for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention. They also engage in efforts to educate the public about mental health and suicide prevention and provide support groups for survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide. Their website has information for individuals having suicidal thoughts, for those who have lost or are worried about someone, and those who have survived a suicide attempt.
Website: https://afsp.org/
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
Who They Are: The Anxiety and Depression Association of America strives to improve the quality of life for individuals who struggle with anxiety and depression.
What They Do: The ADAA works to find new treatments in hopes of one day preventing and curing anxiety, depressive, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders. They offer education on these disorders, including articles, webinars, and other resources, to help individuals better understand anxiety and depression. The ADAA also offers training to help turn their research findings into practice.
Website: https://adaa.org/
Child Mind Institute
Who They Are: The Child Mind Institute is the leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health. They are dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help that they need.
What They Do: The Child Mind Institute holds workshops, talks, and conversations for parents and families. They also have a Family Resource Center on their website, with parenting guides, a symptom checker tool to inform parents about possible diagnoses, a resource finder, and an option to submit questions.
Website: https://childmind.org/
Learn MoreDitch the Resolution – Start 2022 with a Life Audit!
Resolutions are a thing of the past. No one keeps them, and we talk about them as if they are motivating but really they are a wasted effort if we are not fully taking stock of our entire selves. When we assess what changes we actually need to make, we are able to make the most out of efforts to increase our overall life happiness. Today we want to suggest an alternative…. completing your own life audit. Essentially what a life audit does is to help you take stock of where you currently stand in self-fulfillment in multiple areas of your life. This audit will explore multiple areas of your life and help you to determine improvements and changes each one of those areas can benefit from. A life audit is a great reflective exercise that helps you to see where you are doing well in life and acknowledging that.
Where do I start?
When you are ready to complete your own life audit, I would recommend breaking your life down into categories or segments of living. Your breakdown could take the form of a wheel such as this:
Other layouts can include columns, a box design, or just free writing! Remember, this is YOUR audit, so you can make it as simple or complex as you would like! Once you have your design, we want to begin by labeling the primary areas of your life. Below are a few example categories that you can use to get started:
Primary Categories
- Physical Health
- Emotional Health
- Spiritual Health
- Occupational Health
- Community/Social Health
- Financial Health
- Recreational Health
Once you’ve chosen your categories, now is the time for self reflection. Beginning one section at a time, what are your initial thoughts? What are doing well in that area, and what goals do you still have? Put any and everything down about that category you can think of. It can also be helpful to decide how to quantify your level of satisfaction. Some people use a numerical scale, or even an alpha grading system (A, A-, B, B+, etc). If you find yourself struggling with how to determine your satisfaction in these categories, consider asking yourself the following:
- How is my Physical Strength, mobility, and energy in life?
- Job Satisfaction – does it match your personal values, do you feel challenged?
- Career Progress – are you where you believed you would be in your career at this stage in life?
- Net Worth – do I spend or save in the way I should? Should I be planning for a major life event such as retirement or a child going to college?
- Financial Knowledge – Do I understand my financial needs, now and in the future?
- Do I have the relationships with my family that I want?
- Am I committing enough time to friendships, or building friendships that I need?
- Do I have a connection with my community? Do you have an interest in giving back?
- How is my love life? Do I have a relationship with my partner that is enjoy?
- Is my Self-Image healthy and realistic? Do I appreciate myself and have a motivating internal narrative with myself?
- Are you participating as often as you would like in your faith?
- Habits, Fun & Leisure – What is there to add, take away, or change?
- Personal Growth – As you walk through your life, what more do you still want to learn, do, or experience?
Ok, So How did I do?
This is designed to be a simple exercise, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Be honest
This is the time to get real with yourself! Do not let yourself sugar coat or minimize your patterns, or real issues that need to be addressed. Same for allowing yourself to gloat when it is deserved. If you are especially accomplished in an area of your life compliment yourself on that!
Take your time
This is such a great opportunity to dive deep into your life, so take your time with this. After writing, set it down for a period, then come back to it later. You may find that you have new reflections to add in.
Be prepared
With this honesty can come heightened emotions. Let’s stay aware, that emotions cannot hurt you but they are purposeful in the way that motivate and provide feedback that change is necessary!
Completed! Now what?
Now you have the information about yourself. Some of it is filled with praise and accomplishments, but other parts are acknowledgements of needs to be addressed. This last step is going to help you to engage yourself intentionally for 2022
Action Statements
Let’s take ACTION! Taking you next moments to identify what you can do is your next step. However, there is a really important small step to take first. There are parts of our emotional unhappiness that we cannot change and you will have to be on the lookout for that. For example, a chronic health problem is most likely identified as a negative in a category. Since you are unable to change that, you will have to examine what elements of it you do have control over, such as an exercise regime or diet change which helps to alleviate some of your symptoms. Seeing elements of what we CAN do is an important process in this step. Once you understand this we can now formulate your action statements. Using concrete language which includes the what, where, when and who we write down specific steps to change. This helps you to form achievable and most importantly workable goals that actually give you specific steps to make lasting improvements on that category of your life.
Take the next step
Just get started! Choose the category that you feel most motivated to see a change in and begin with follow through with that action statement. You will notice an increase in overall happiness soon. To help yourself stay accountable, make a note on your calendar to check in on your progress quarterly throughout the year or speak with a therapist to see what is holding you back from attaining your goals. Those reviews are not meant to be opportunities to criticize what you haven’t done yet, but are chances to reinvigorate your intention for yourself for the year and to start again!
Learn MoreIt is Suicide Prevention Month, How you can help
Suicide has impacted us all and often the question is repeatedly asked: How can we prevent it? 
September is #suicidepreventionmonth. You may have come across this hashtag on social media. But what does it mean for you?
Did you know that suicide is a serious public health concern? Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2018, nearly 48,000 people died by suicide and another 10.7 million adults experienced suicidal thoughts.
Suicide is tragic and can be very hard to talk about, but it is often preventable if we know what to look for and how to engage in conversations about it. Suicide prevention month exists to shed some light on the topic by raising awareness, sharing resources with those who might need them, and normalizing conversations about suicide without stigma. I want to provide you with some tips on how to recognize and respond to signs of suicidal thoughts among your loved ones.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that can help us identify those in our lives that are more at-risk for suicide. This does not mean that people with one of these risk factors will attempt suicide. It is just something we should be aware of. Risk factors include:
-Previous suicide attempt
-Family history of suicide
-Significant life events that may be triggering, such as relationship problems, unemployment, history of child abuse, bullying, sexual abuse, or diagnosis of a chronic health condition
-Existing mental health struggles, particularly mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders
-Substance use or abuse
-Access to firearms
-Experience of discrimination, prejudice, isolation, and/or family rejection on the basis of sexuality among LGBTQ youth
Warning Signs
It is also important to know the warning signs of suicide. You might not think that someone is having thoughts of suicide because they aren’t openly talking about wanting to die or sharing feelings of hopelessness. However, it often is not this clear. Other warning signs of suicide include:
-Increased alcohol or drug use
-Aggressive, impulsive, or reckless behavior
-Withdrawal from family and friends
-Extreme mood swings
-Change in eating or sleeping habits
-Talking about being a burden to others or having great guilt/shame
-Giving away important possessions or putting affairs in order
What do I do?
So now that you know what to look for, what do you do if you identify someone in your life who is in emotional pain or having thoughts of suicide? Are you worried you may be caught off guard or afraid that you might not say the right things? This is normal, as you are probably not a mental health professional, but anyone can take these 5 simple steps of action to help.
- Ask: It might not be easy to ask someone if they are thinking about killing themselves, but, if done in a caring way, this often gives the person a sense of relief and does not cause any harm. Be sensitive, but direct. Here are some example questions: “How are you coping with what’s been happening in life?” “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” “Are you thinking about suicide?” “Have you ever tried to harm yourself?”
- Keep them safe: Ask if this person has already thought of a plan. Consider questions like: Have you thought about how or when you’d do it? Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself? Help them out by removing lethal items or reducing access to potentially lethal places.
- Be there: Listen without judgement to what the person has to say. Allowing them a safe space to talk about what they are thinking and feeling may reduce depressed, anxious, and/or suicidal thoughts.
- Help them Connect: By creating a network of resources for support, you are helping this person take action. Save the national suicide prevention lifeline in their phone and offer to help them connect with a mental health professional and/or another friend or family member as soon as possible.
- Follow Up: Be sure to stay connected with the individual during and even after treatment. Let them know that you’re still there for them.
My hope is that this information will not only make you more aware of suicide and those in your life who may be dealing with suicidal thoughts, but that it will also make you more comfortable talking about suicide or reaching out to those you might be concerned about. I encourage you to do your part this month, and even after, to raise awareness about suicide and be there for those you love. Therapists at Miracles all want to help someone find their way through depression and live a good life again.
Ready for additional information? Here are some resources that might be helpful in learning more about suicide prevention and how you can get involved.
https://theactionalliance.org/
https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-month
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