An Introduction to Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

An Introduction to Adult ADHD

Do you feel like your brain is a web browser with too many tabs open at once? You might struggle to finish tasks, lose track of conversations, and feel constantly restless or fidgety. Maybe you’ve been called lazy, disorganized, or forgetful your whole life. While these experiences are common from time to time, if they are a persistent pattern that affects your ability to function at work, at home, and in your relationships, it could be a sign of adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

At Televero Health, we help adults understand that ADHD is not a character flaw, a lack of discipline, or something you should have outgrown. It is a real neurodevelopmental disorder, which means it is based in the brain. For many, getting a diagnosis as an adult is a moment of profound clarity—an explanation for a lifetime of struggles.

ADHD Looks Different in Adults

Many people associate ADHD with a hyperactive young boy who can’t sit still in class. While that is one presentation, it’s far from the only one, especially in adults. As people get older, the symptoms of ADHD can change. The hyperactivity often becomes less physical and more internal—a feeling of restlessness or an inability to relax. The challenges with focus and organization often become more prominent as the demands of adult life increase.

ADHD is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. A person can have symptoms of one type or a combination of both.

The Inattentive Side

This is what people often think of as “ADD.” It’s not a lack of attention, but rather a difficulty in regulating it. You might be able to hyperfocus on something you find interesting for hours, but be unable to force yourself to complete a boring or tedious task. Symptoms of inattention include:

  • Making careless mistakes and lacking attention to detail.
  • Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or conversations.
  • Seeming not to listen when spoken to directly.
  • Failing to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace.
  • Struggling with organization of tasks and activities.
  • Avoiding or disliking tasks that require sustained mental effort.
  • Losing things necessary for tasks, like keys, wallets, or phones.
  • Being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli.
  • Being forgetful in daily activities, like paying bills or returning calls.

The Hyperactive-Impulsive Side

This side is about more than just being energetic. It’s a drive for constant activity and a difficulty with self-control. Symptoms include:

  • Fidgeting with or tapping hands or feet, or squirming in your seat.
  • Feeling restless or unable to sit still.
  • Feeling “on the go” or driven by a motor.
  • Talking excessively.
  • Blurting out an answer before a question has been completed.
  • Having difficulty waiting your turn.
  • Interrupting or intruding on others in conversations or activities.

It’s About Executive Function

At its core, ADHD is a disorder of the brain’s executive functions. These are the high-level mental skills that help you manage your time, pay attention, switch focus, plan and organize, and control your impulses. When these functions are impaired, it can affect every aspect of your life, leading to underperformance at work, financial problems, and strained relationships.

An ADHD diagnosis is not an excuse, but it is an explanation. It provides a framework for understanding why certain things are so difficult for you. Most importantly, it opens the door to effective treatment. ADHD is one of the most treatable conditions in psychiatry. Treatment often involves a combination of medication (stimulants or non-stimulants), therapy, and coaching to build skills and strategies. With the right support, adults with ADHD can learn to manage their symptoms and leverage their unique strengths, like creativity and high energy.

Key Takeaways

  • Adult ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting focus, organization, and impulse control; it is not a character flaw.
  • Symptoms fall into two categories: inattention (e.g., disorganization, forgetfulness) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (e.g., restlessness, interrupting others).
  • In adults, hyperactivity often presents as internal restlessness rather than obvious physical motion.
  • ADHD is highly treatable with medication, therapy, and skill-building strategies that can help you manage your symptoms effectively.

Ready to take the first step? We can help. Get started with Televero Health today.

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