Overlooked Signs of ADHD: What to Pay Attention to During ADHD Awareness Month
As October is ADHD Awareness Month, it’s essential to recognize the signs that often go unnoticed. Several studies suggest less than 20% of adults with ADHD are aware that they have it. Many individuals may be unaware of the subtle indicators that could suggest ADHD, leading to missed opportunities for diagnosis and support. This article helps readers identify these key symptoms in themselves or their loved ones and provides resources for support like Springboard Clinic. By raising awareness and understanding these signs, we can foster a more informed community and encourage individuals to seek the help they deserve.
Some people with ADHD do not know they have it. Why is that?
Well, a lot of people with ADHD have normal intellectual ability and they do ok at school, have friends, and get good jobs and so forth. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and they have always been this way, so it’s their normal to live with attention challenges.
Some folks find they cope ok with their attention abilities to a point, but as they grow-up and have more independence and take on more responsibilities they may need to work harder than others to meet their life demands and goals. Without the structure and supports from parents and teachers some young adults with ADHD find themselves struggling to get places on time, do what’s expected, and keep their affairs in order. They may do ok with extra effort but then when they take on more life responsibilities, higher education, a partner, a home, parenthood, a job promotion, things can begin to get overwhelming.
Sometimes other types of health or lifestyle changes associated with aging can contribute to symptoms being that much more impactful, such as menopause in women, or loosing the structure your job role provided when you retire.
Some people with ADHD may start to find it distressing to have to put so much effort into the business of living and this is why untreated ADHD can lead to other mental disorders related to depression and anxiety for example. It’s important to raise awareness about ADHD so that those who have it can get treatment and live well with their symptoms instead of suffering with them.
Some signs you (or someone you know) may have ADHD
This is not an exhaustive list, but it will give you a sense of what some folks with ADHD may experience.
- You have internalized feedback from others that you are lazy, not living up to your potential, and are not trying hard enough. It’s not true!
- It seems like you must work twice as hard as your peers to get things done. It’s probably true and might be related to any trouble you might have in staying focused on a task, attending to detail, and maybe being too much of a perfectionist.
- You put off tasks, even ones you are interested in, that you think will take a long time to undertake or that you think you might be interrupted while doing. This might be especially true for you when it comes to mentally effortful tasks.
- You need the urgency of a deadline or a very negative consequence to get started on a task. This might be especially true of boring or forced tasks, like doing the dishes or completing a work or school related project.
- You have some deep feelings. When things go good you really feel great and when things are going bad you really feel bad. We are not talking mood swings. We are talking about how you react to circumstances in a way that might seem more intense than the situation warrants.
- You always want to be doing something. You might be a restless type who always has to be engaged in something even if that something doesn’t have much of a purpose. Yes, gaming could be an example. Gaming is ok, for sure, just not if you are doing it to a degree that you are missing out on other important things in life such as socializing, managing your responsibilities, and taking care of your health.
- You talk a lot and sometimes don’t give others space to say their piece and may even finish their sentences for them because you are impatient for them to get to the point. You might find yourself later worrying about whether you have unintentionally offended someone.
- You identify with some of the above traits AND you have a family member with ADHD. It’s true that ADHD can run in families and if there are others in your family who have ADHD there is an increased chance you might.
If you think you might have ADHD, here’s why it’s important to find out
There are interventions that work and can help you live well with ADHD. These interventions can also prevent other problems from happening that are associated with untreated ADHD such as the development of other mental health disorders, substance use problems, breakdowns in relationships, and missed opportunities in your career and personal life.
Medication is not for everyone, but it is an evidence-based option and a significant number of people with ADHD experience a notable improvement in symptoms with the appropriate medication.
Behavioural strategies for ADHD symptom management are also important and are a must have ingredient of effective treatment. Medication may make it easier for you to focus but it won’t tell you where to focus or what to prioritize. For that you need strategies. It is important to understand your strengths and weaknesses with the purpose of making positive change and educating yourself about ADHD is the place to start.
Resources for Support
Visit the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC):
- If you want to learn about ADHD what it is and how it affects people’s lives;
- If you want to learn how to better manage your attention challenges there are a number of excellent descriptions about strategies to live well with ADHD; and/or
- If you are looking for how to talk about ADHD and how to organize accommodations at home, school, or in the workplace.
Visit Springboard Clinic:
- If you are wondering whether or not you have ADHD, Springboard can provide clarity about whether or not a diagnosis of ADHD matches with your lived experience.
- If you have problems with everyday executive functioning, such as how to prioritize, get started on, and follow through tasks to completion, Springboard can provide practical training in these skills. You don’t need to have an ADHD diagnosis, just a desire to make positive change in your everyday executive functioning.
About Dr. Kelly Murphy
Dr. Kelly Murphy, Ph.D, C.Psyc. is a registered psychologist, practicing in clinical psychology, neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology, working with adults and seniors. She earned her doctorate from Western University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute. Currently, she is the Director of Service Development and Research at Springboard Clinic, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and a member of the CADDRA Research Committee. Dr. Murphy has extensive clinical and research experience in cognitive assessment and intervention. She is passionate about translating evidence-based research into clinical practice to benefit her clients.