I forget everything!

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 2.5% of adults worldwide. Many people are not diagnosed until adulthood because the symptoms in childhood were considered «mild» or were confused with other conditions.

What is ADHD? It is considered a brain disorder that primarily manifests in childhood. It can cause attention, organization, and mood difficulty, leading to hyperactivity and impulsivity.

What are some characteristics of ADHD in adults? There are three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or a combination of both. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), ADHD has the following criteria:

Disorganization: Difficulty staying organized with tasks.

Challenges in relationships: being inattentive, easily bored, and talking over others. Others may perceive them as irresponsible, insensitive, or unconcerned.

Lack of focus: Easily distracted, struggles to listen to others in conversation, trouble completing tasks, tendency to forget appointments or commitments, among others.

Restlessness and anxiety: Frequently moving, tapping things with hands or feet, fidgeting in their seat, making impulsive decisions, and difficulty staying still.

Emotional concerns: A flow of emotions such as frustration, boredom, and excitement.

Hyperfocus: Intense concentration on something they are interested in while struggling to pay attention to other things.

Time management: Procrastinating, arriving late to events, or ignoring tasks they find boring.

Forgetfulness: Occasional effects in areas such as academics, work, or relationships.

Impulsivity: Interrupting others in conversations, actions considered socially unacceptable, rushing through tasks, or behaving without consideration for others or consequences.

Negative self-image: They may view their symptoms as failures or underperformance.

Lack of motivation: Difficulty staying focused on a task for extended periods. Tendency to procrastinate.

Fatigue: Due to hyperactivity, sleep problems, constant effort to stay attentive/focused, or as a side effect of medication for the disorder.

Physical health concerns: Overeating, unbalanced diet, lack of exercise, or forgetting to take medication.

Substance use/abuse: Tendency to self-medicate to improve concentration/attention, sleep, or reduce anxiety.

To determine a diagnosis, the person must exhibit at least five of the symptoms associated with ADHD for at least six months. If you believe any of these symptoms have affected an important area of your life (studies, work, relationships), discuss it with a mental health professional. There are many ways to help someone with this diagnosis cope with the difficulties they may be facing, such as psychotherapy, medication, and strategies tailored to their individual needs.