Can an Adult Have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

“There's something strange about me, but I can't quite understand what it is...”

If you find yourself thinking about this phrase often, you're not alone. If you have complaints such as distraction, forgetfulness, constant procrastination, inner restlessness or inability to organize your life, this may not be explained by just 'laziness' or 'disorganized personality'. In this article, we will take a closer look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults. Maybe the answer to that inner confusion that you haven't been able to name for years lies here.

Does ADHD Belong Only to Childhood?

A misconception that is still widespread in society is that ADHD is specific to childhood only. However, ADHD is not a childhood disorder, but a neurodevelopmental condition that can last a lifetime. Yes, symptoms may change shape with age, but that doesn't mean they disappear.

Someone who did not stand out as an individual who "couldn't sit still, talked too much, or couldn't focus on his studies" as a child may be experiencing the effects of ADHD with completely different symptoms in adulthood.

So What Does ADHD Look Like in Adults?

The symptoms of ADHD in adulthood may differ from those in childhood. Hyperactivity gives way to more inner restlessness and mental confusion. Do the following situations sound familiar to you?

• Having difficulty focusing in meetings: While listening to what is being said, your mind suddenly wanders somewhere else, then you try to focus again.
• Forgetfulness: You still don't remember where you put the key. Moreover, this happened several times in the same day.
• Constantly procrastinating: Even sending a very simple email takes hours. You don't know why either.
• Having difficulty with time management: You cannot estimate how long it will take to complete a task, so you are always late.
• A messy house or desk: The physical mess around you is like a reflection of what's inside your head.
• Indecisiveness and sudden changes of mind: You decide to do something, but then you immediately doubt and move on to something else.

If such situations begin to disrupt your daily life, there may be a neurobiological basis at play: ADHD..

“But I Was Never Hyperactive…”

If you think so, I have news for you. Adult ADHD is generally divided into 3 different subtypes:

1. Attention deficit dominant type
2. Hyperactivity-impulsivity dominant type
3. Compound type (two in one)

So you could have ADHD and not seem hyperactive. For you, "silent lack of attention" is more at the forefront. These individuals are often described as dreamy, pensive and living in their own world. Therefore, the probability of diagnosis in childhood decreases..

Adults with ADHD Often Say This:

“People constantly tell me, 'You have so much potential, but you're wasting yourself.'”
“I have a to-do list but every time I look at it I feel overwhelmed.”
“Those who do the same job as me seem to get everything done with much less effort.”
“My mind never stops. I'm thinking about 5 things at the same time but I can't focus on any of them.”

If these sentences sound familiar to you, it may not just mean that you have a “lack of motivation”. It has been scientifically proven that ADHD has differences in the regions of the brain related to executive functions such as attention, impulse control, planning and timing.

If You Have Not Received a Diagnosis, Do Not Blame Yourself

Many adult individuals with ADHD live with beliefs such as "I am lazy, I am inadequate" throughout their lives because they are not diagnosed. However, this is not about their character, but about the way their brains work. Getting a diagnosis is not just a label; It is a powerful step to give meaning to your life again.

How to Diagnose ADHD?

Adult ADHD is usually diagnosed by::

• Psychological evaluation and interview
• Retrospective questioning of childhood symptoms
• Psychometric tests and scales
• Neuropsychological performance tasks (e.g. tasks measuring attention and reaction), if necessary

The Mentora Testing System was developed to make this process more understandable and accessible. We evaluate your attention, impulsivity and cognitive performance with both scales and interactive tasks. Thus, we offer a table that is supported by measurable data, not just what you "feel".

What Happens After Diagnosis?

ADHD is not a “disorder” but rather differences in the way the brain processes attention and motivation. These differences do not make you incomplete, they just require better understanding and developing strategies that suit you.