How ADHD Affects Adults Differently

You hear a lot about children with attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their troubles in school and social situations. But ADHD can affect adults as well. As many as 10 million American women and men suffer from adult ADHD and the often devastating symptoms it can cause.

ADHD doesn’t show up in adults the same way it does in kids, however. Children with ADHD may be called out in class for being unable to sit still, excessive talking, or acting without thinking. Adults with ADHD find that they have problems at work, in long-term relationships, and managing daily tasks. 

At Black Onyx, with locations in South San Francisco and Orange, California, our psychiatric nurse practitioners help adults with ADHD manage their condition. Here’s what we want you to know about adult ADHD and its symptoms. 

Adults with ADHD struggle with organization

An adult with ADHD may recognize what needs to happen for them to stay organized, but finding the motivation to take those steps or stick to an organizational plan can feel quite difficult.

ADHD can cause a person to procrastinate and wait until the last minute even when a task is very important. Poor time management can make many work duties especially difficult, and it can take a toll on relationships, too.

Adults with ADHD have trouble focusing

ADHD can make it difficult for adults to stay on track. Adults with ADHD often find it challenging to remain focused on tasks they find dull, repetitive, or uninteresting. 

When an adult with ADHD does find a task or topic interesting, though, they may become hyperfocused on it. This can lead them to be so single-minded that they have trouble concentrating on anything else. Adults with ADHD may daydream about their topic of interest when they should be focused on work or another task.

Adults with ADHD can be forgetful

Adults with ADHD find that their thoughts are disjointed or muddled. They tend to be forgetful, likely due to their organizational and time management challenges. 

Remembering dates, important events, deadlines, or even appointments can be difficult for adults with ADHD. Many adults with ADHD lose or misplace items, such as their keys, or they may forget to keep appointments.

Adults with ADHD are often restless

Adults with ADHD who are affected by the hyperactivity aspect of the condition may have trouble sitting in long meetings or on car rides. They may interrupt their friends, their significant other, or co-workers often. This can make them seem rude, disinterested, and uncaring. 

Help for adult ADHD is available

If you’re struggling with symptoms of adult ADHD and it’s negatively affecting your life and interfering with work, relationships, and daily responsibilities, seek help with the team at Black Onyx. We can teach you skills that help you recognize and manage symptoms, which is the best way to minimize the impact of ADHD while vastly improving your quality of life.

Most kids, teens, and adults with ADHD benefit from a combination of medication and therapy to help them manage their emotions and organize their thoughts. We tailor your treatment plan to your needs and adjust it over time as those needs change.

Get the customized care you need for ADHD. Call Black Onyx to set up an appointment, or use this website to schedule a visit. We are here to help you take control of your life and succeed in work and relationships.