ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition commonly linked to many attention problems and behavioral issues seen in children. Yet according to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD can actually continue into adulthood, and is frequently left undiagnosed. As reported by the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, an estimated 60 percent of children with ADHD will experience symptoms linked to the disorder into adulthood. That means there could be as many 8 million adults living with ADHD today, within the United States alone. If you believe that you may be living with ADHD, there are a few things you can do to determine if this condition is indeed present.
Instructions
1. Consult a licensed health professional. This is the best and most effective method of determining whether or not an adult has ADHD. The professional will be able to diagnose the disorder and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
2. Look at your past academic performance. Many adults with ADHD will have received poor grades in school, been considered a sort of "underachiever" or had some type of disciplinary problems. Some adults with ADHD will have either repeated a grade or even dropped out of school.
3. Consider your occupational or professional performance. It isn't uncommon for an adult with ADHD to have some issues involving her employment. This could entail repeated changes of trade or position; poor work performance; very few promotions, awards, recognitions and achievements; or even simply a habitual pattern of tardiness.
4. Take into account your day-to-day relationships. While issues involving relationships aren't necessarily a guarantee that someone has ADHD, an adult living with this particular condition is more apt to have problems in his marriage or long-term relationship. This could be due to poor listening, mood swings, irritability, anger, impatience or even impulsiveness, all of which are common hallmarks of ADHD.
5. Bear in mind your driving record. Surprisingly enough, an adult with ADHD will often have a spotty driving record, including multiple traffic violations, accidents and speeding tickets. This record is largely due to the person's inability to actually pay attention and not get bored, prompting both accidents and speeding, respectively.
6. Reflect on your organizational skills. This may seem like a fairly minor detail, but many adults with ADHD just can't seem to get themselves organized. And it doesn't simply stop at being a messy person: The condition can actually seep into your management of money and other finances, as well as time management, planning and prioritizing, staying on task and even remembering things.
7. Weigh your emotions. Adults with ADHD will inevitably suffer from some sort of issue involving their emotional health. This can be something as severe as anxiety, panic and depression or something seemingly minor, like having a short fuse or getting frustrated rather easily.
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