The number of ADHD cases in adults is soaring – here are four signs YOU might have it

The stereotype might be that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is only for “bad boys.” But the number of adults seeking a diagnosis is skyrocketing — and about half are women.

It was the second most viewed health condition on the NHS website last year, with celebrities including Lily Allen saying they recently realized they have the condition.

If you think you may have ADHD, here are some things to look out for…

ARE YOU OFTEN DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION?

When you hear the term ADHD, you may immediately think of hyperactive and impulsive behavior. However, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, this type only accounts for 15 percent of cases.

Twenty to thirty percent of cases involve ‘inattentive’ ADHD – the most common type among women – in which concentration, organization and memory are affected. This can result in a short attention span, forgetfulness and careless mistakes. The hyperactive/impulsive type may mean that you cannot sit still, seem to act without thinking and are constantly moving, talking or interrupting.

Do you regularly forget appointments or arrive late for meetings? Do you lose things around the house? How often do you feel restless or restless?

If the answer to these questions is always or very often, you may be on the ADHD spectrum.

Twenty to thirty percent of cases involve inattentive ADHD – the most common type among women

ARE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS SUFFERING?

Adults with ADHD may find that it affects every part of their lives, causing problems with time management, following instructions, completing tasks, and dealing with stress. But a diagnosis in adulthood is only made if your symptoms have at least a moderate effect on several areas of your life, for example if you underperform at work or in education, drive dangerously, or have difficulty making or keeping friends or maintaining a relationship.

It’s normal to procrastinate sometimes, but if you notice at work that you often or always procrastinate on starting important tasks that require a lot of thinking, this could be symptomatic of ADHD.

IS YOUR PERIOD A CLUE?

Your period can change the way your ADHD affects you. Studies have shown that the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle (starting with the first day of your period) are easier for women with ADHD, due to a rise in estrogen levels, a hormone that affects the brain chemicals needed for emotional regulation. and organizational skills.

However, at the end of the cycle, progesterone increases, reducing the beneficial effects of estrogen on the brain, and it is thought that it could also reduce the effectiveness of ADHD medications.

Menopause can also make existing problems worse and the Priory, a leading independent mental health provider, says it is seeing more women than ever with symptoms in their late 40s and 50s. Pre-existing restlessness, mood swings, irritability and extreme impatience can all be made more severe by the declining estrogen levels during menopause.

Studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can help with the symptoms of ADHD in adults

HAVE YOU ALWAYS FELT THIS WAY?

The current consensus is that ADHD doesn’t first develop in adults, so if your problems with concentration and organization only developed later in life – or during a period of depression or stress – they may not be the cause. result from ADHD. Under NHS guidelines, a diagnosis cannot be confirmed unless your symptoms have been present since childhood.

The first step is a visit to your GP, who can refer you for a specialist examination. This may include a physical examination to rule out other conditions and a series of interviews.

Unlike children, medicine is often the first treatment offered in adults, according to the NHS, but studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy and one-to-one coaching can also help.