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Is Adult Onset ADHD Normal?

The inability to concentrate and manage one’s time was once a regular flaw—one that was only supposed to be experienced by children. In recent years, however, the growing awareness of adult-onset ADHD has given rise to a different sense of self-discovery. Maybe you’ve caught yourself endlessly procrastinating, reading pages over and over, or feeling as if you’re working twice as hard as everyone else yet still being two steps behind. 


In realizing these symptoms as yours, the experience can be frightening but transformative. But starting now, you can take a better hold of yourself by understanding your ADHD and garnering strategies and systems that work better for you and your brain. 

adult onset adhd​
Source: Cielo Treatment Center

What Is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how your brain processes information. At its core, ADHD involves difficulties with executive functioning.


Executive functioning is your brain’s ability to prioritize, organize, and regulate emotions and behaviors. Symptoms of ADHD typically vary on a case-to-case basis. Common signs include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. You may frequently lose things, speak without a second thought, or feel endlessly relentless.


You may associate these behaviors best with children who can’t sit still on their chairs or have to be stimulated by a thousand different toys—only to let go of each one after two minutes. 


Signs of adult ADHD, however, are a little different. Adult-onset ADHD looks more like misplacing your keys every day, procrastinating on work deadlines, and struggling to focus during long meetings. The mental health effects of ADHD are also more likely to hit you in adulthood, such as constant frustration, stress, and poor self-esteem

Is Adult Onset ADHD Normal?

Have you wondered what ADHD means for you in your adulthood? Recent research has questioned whether ADHD can manifest in adulthood or if it’s something that has always gone unnoticed in your childhood. 


This research is currently developing, but it is assumed that you may have had mild symptoms in childhood that did not significantly interfere with your daily life. It may have been possible that only in adulthood did these symptoms finally impact your work, relationships, and responsibilities. 


Undiagnosed ADHD may also have been overshadowed by other occurrences in your life. For instance, you may have excelled in school, and ADHD never seemed to be in the picture. Meanwhile, some researchers suggest that what appears to be adult-onset ADHD results from anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. Without mental health treatment, these disorders may begin to mimic ADHD symptoms. 

adhd symptoms in adults
Source: Pexels

Factors That Might Trigger ADHD Symptoms Later In Life

How to know if you have ADHD can be a little complicated. An essential distinction is its presence since childhood, but you now know that this may not be obvious. However, more factors can cause ADHD symptoms to surface. Among these are stress and hormonal changes. 

Stress

Stressful life changes can trigger ADHD symptoms in adults to manifest in your life. For example, starting a demanding job or becoming a parent can overwhelm your brain. You may struggle with prioritizing tasks, organizing calendars, and staying focused. These symptoms may also be coupled with poor time management and a shorter attention span. 

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes can also play a role, especially if you’re a woman. Shifts in estrogen levels during pregnancy or menopause can make ADHD symptoms more pronounced. These may be partnered with an increased likelihood of the manifestation of depression and mood disorders. 

what adhd
Source: Cielo Treatment Center

Diagnosing And Managing Adult-Onset ADHD

Without any mental health therapies and diagnosis, it may be challenging to differentiate between these disorders and ADHD. If you suspect adult-onset ADHD, it begins with understanding how it’s diagnosed. 

Diagnosis

A psychiatrist or psychologist may ask about your health history during the initial assessment. They may ask you questions about your childhood challenges, even if they were not apparent. They may also ask about your current challenges and how they impact your day-to-day routines. 


Afterward, you may undergo some questionnaires and tests to assess your attention, memory, and overall executive functioning. This allows them to make distinctions between mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. 


Your diagnosis will be confirmed after they consult with established criteria for ADHD. 

Management

After your diagnosis, your healthcare provider will help you create a plan to manage your symptoms effectively. For adults, management may include medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. 


Medication for ADHD is categorized into stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulants improve focus, while the non-stimulants reduce impulsivity by regulating brain chemicals. Meanwhile, working with a therapist during behavioral therapy can help you develop strategies to manage time, stay organized, and tackle procrastination.


It is also recommended to make some lifestyle changes. These typically include regular exercise, maintaining structured routines with planners, or breaking tasks into smaller ones. You may also participate in mindfulness and meditation to calm your hyperactivity. 

signs of adult ADHD
Source: Freepik

In Conclusion

Discovering adult onset ADHD can feel two ways. It may feel like you’re putting together puzzle pieces of your life, or you may be frustrated about its manifestation. Either way, understanding how your brain works is the first step. 


Remember that ADHD involves changes in your executive functioning. It means that your brain operates differently from the world, but this doesn’t have to limit your abilities. With medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to manage your ADHD symptoms. Being as productive and focused as everyone else around you is possible. You no longer have to feel alienated and below everyone else. 


If you’d like to start working with your brain instead of despite it, contact us at Cielo Treatment Center, and we’ll see how we can help!

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