A psychiatrist has shared five key indicators that may suggest you have undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and should consult a doctor.
According to Psychiatrist Agam Dhawan, recognising these common signs and seeking a diagnosis can significantly improve both physical and mental well-being. He explained: “My job is to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.”
The first sign is a tendency to make numerous careless mistakes due to divided attention between tasks. He illustrated: “For example, if you’re doing long division and you forget to carry over the decimal or you’re driving and you always forget to put your turn signal down.”
The second sign is frequently switching topics in conversation, which may indicate ADHD. “It’s really hard for you to stay focused on a topic and whatever you think about you immediately blurt out,” he noted. The third sign is being extremely impulsive, acting on thoughts without hesitation.
This impulsivity can manifest in various ways – such as taking reckless decisions like drink driving, making impulsive purchases, or jumping into a pool without a second thought. Dhawan highlighted a familiar symptom saying that individuals with ADHD often forget what has been told to them by others.
He elaborated: “This is especially when it comes to doing stuff – like your partner says, ‘hey, go take out the trash’. And you say you will but then a couple of hours go by and they ask why you haven’t taken out the trash, you just completely forgot.”
He pointed out that those with ADHD are apt to procrastinate and delay tasks they find unfavourable, such as housework, phone calls or homework.
Expanding on additional behaviours, he noted that people struggling with these issues likely find it challenging to stay still, explaining: “You constantly want to be moving, you’re pacing, you’re bobbing your legs up and down, it’s really hard to wait in line. It’s really hard for you to sit down a relax.”
What is ADHD?
The NHS website explains: “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people’s behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.
“Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child’s circumstances change, such as when they start school.
“Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it’s diagnosed later in childhood.
“Sometimes ADHD was not recognised when someone was a child, and they are diagnosed later as an adult.”
For more information, visit the NHS website.
In response, one user shared their own concern: “I keep telling my mum that I think I have ADHD but she won’t take me for a test.” Another individual pondered if their behaviour was genuine or not. They said: “I always wonder if I have ADHD or if I’m just pretending so I have an excuse for my failures and lack of discipline.”
Additionally, a third person questioned their current diagnosis, saying: “Is it possible I was misdiagnosed with anxiety but I actually have ADHD?”
For anyone suspecting they might have ADHD, the best course of action is to schedule an assessment with a doctor to get advice from a professional.