You’re really overwhelmed and stressed these days. You’d be the first to admit that you have always been easily distracted and are a “procrastinator.” But that doesn’t mean you’re not a hard worker. Actually, it’s the opposite. Sometimes you focus so hard on work, there’s little time for anything else. Either way, time management has always been a struggle. And even though you may not have been officially diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a kid, you’ve started to wonder if you would benefit from ADHD testing and adult ADHD treatment.
As an adult, all the stress of your life, the pandemic, working so much, work/life balance, all of it has triggered more forgetfulness and overwhelm. You’re making one or two more mistakes than you might have a year ago. Now, you are wondering: When will people notice? When will I get that firm “talking to” from my boss?
Even if you’ve been promoted, this intense fear of failure is running the show in your mind. So often in fact that you think of throwing in the towel and just quitting pretty much on a daily basis. You ask yourself: Is it my job? Is it me? Or is it adult ADHD?
Undiagnosed Adult ADHD
It’s estimated that 4.4 million adults in the United States have ADHD and only 10% are diagnosed. The truth is, science is just catching up on just how many adults with ADHD slipped through the cracks in childhood. This makes finding an ADHD specialist who understands ADHD a challenge. However, knowing the signs that you need one is a good place to start.
Why It’s Not You or Your Job (Well, Maybe It’s Your Job A Little): Five Signs of Adult ADHD
Losing Things
Studies show that 75% of people who report losing something important “often” actually have adult ADHD. Sure, it’s true that we live in a distracted world. However, ADHD is a disorder of executive functioning (the brain’s CEO that controls conscious interaction with the world). A big part of executive functioning is working memory. What the eyes see gets stored by the brain. Without ADHD, the mind takes a snapshot of your keys on the dresser. Because the ADHD brain doesn’t take that picture, it leaves you in a panic when it’s time to find them. And this happens…often.
Easily Distracted During Conversations or Work Meetings
ADHD impacts a person’s ability to filter out what’s not relevant to the situation. So if you have ADHD, it’s really easy to get distracted and stop listening to others, even if the social situation requires your attention. This distraction can be as simple as hearing a song in the next room or having the thought that you’re hungry and are wondering what to do for lunch. Something pulls you away…and then panic sets in when you realize ten minutes have passed when your boss says: “So what do you think, are you in or out?”
Putting Things Off Until the Last Minute
ADHD also impacts your ability to control the emotions needed to get motivated on a task. An ADHDer might find themselves doing 800 small tasks before doing the big task they really need to be doing, say…their taxes. Eventually, when the situation gets tense enough, anxiety motivates them. That’s why you might find yourself doing your taxes on April 14th at 11 pm. This behavior is not “being lazy,” but rather ADHD impacting your ability to sustain energy on certain tasks. This leads to “muscling” and excessive energy needing to be spent to get those things done.
Feeling Overly Sensitive to Rejection or Criticism at Work
A lifetime of being called out for unintended errors takes its toll on self-esteem. There is only so much criticism a living being can take before it defends itself. In addition, ADHD folks often find themselves feeling anxious about being criticized and, as a result, struggling with things like imposter syndrome.
Emotional Roller Coasters: Going from Zero to 90
Emotion dysregulation and ADHD often go hand in hand. When you have ADHD, you’re not able to press pause quite as well as when you don’t have ADHD. It’s common to find yourself in spirals of negative self-talk, frustration, overwhelm, and anxiety. The research is just catching up to the fact that ADHD is largely a struggle with emotions. This is because the part of the brain that controls the emotional part of the brain just so happens to be the part of the brain that ADHD impacts. Combined with the other hallmark symptoms of ADHD (e.g. lost keys, struggles getting started), emotional dysregulation could potentially be a sign of adult ADHD.
How To Be Sure You Have Adult ADHD: Adult ADHD Testing
Adult ADHD is one of the most common yet misunderstood diagnoses. This is why many people have a hard time finding an ADHD specialist who can tell them with 100% accuracy if they have adult ADHD. However, ADHD testing is the only way to know with confidence that you have adult ADHD. And knowing if you have ADHD opens the door to the most effective ADHD treatment.
How ADHD Treatment Works
The most successful ADHD treatment is holistic, which means it is tailored to fit your individual needs. Combining ADHD-specific treatment that centers around improving focus, getting things done, and improving emotional regulation and confidence can help you meet your goals in life and in work (without having to quit anything just yet).
Begin Treatment for Adult ADHD in Columbus, Ohio
At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer ADHD testing and ADHD treatment. This way you can find answers and a path forward toward living the life you want to be living. A caring ADHD specialist would be happy to support you to manage your adult ADHD from our Columbus, OH-based therapy practice.
To start your therapy journey, follow these steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a consult
- Meet with an adult ADHD specialist
- Start living the life you want, and reach your goals
Other Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Because ADHD impacts people in different ways, Focused Mind ADHD Counseling offers a variety of services including adult ADHD treatment, counseling for men with ADHD, depression counseling for ADHD, and anxiety treatment for ADHD. If you have any questions regarding testing or ADHD treatment, schedule a consultation with one of our trusted therapists.
