Tacoma Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and Loss Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Pornography Addiction
      • Personal Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Sexual Addiction
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Counseling for Children
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Sexual Addiction
    • Marriage Counseling
  • LocationsWe have offices at various locations
    • AnacortesAnacortes
    •  1Bellevue
    •  1Bothell
    • Edmonds
    •  1Everett
    • How Fathers Can Prepare Their Children to Fight Pornography's Lure: What Lies AheadFederal Way
    •  1Kent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • Lacey Christian CounselingLacey
    •  1Mill Creek
    •  1Monroe
    • Oak Harbor OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    •  1Puyallup
    •  1Redmond
    •  1Seattle Ballard
    • Seattle Downtown
    •  1Seattle Greenlake
    •  1Silverdale
    • Tacoma
    •  1Spokane
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    •  1Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind out more about our counselors
  • CareersJoin our team of Christian Counselors
  • (253) 777-1997Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

Tacoma Christian Counseling
https://tacomachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/symptoms-of-adhd-in-adults-3.jpg 1920 1920
https://tacomachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Mount-Rainier.jpg
https://tacomachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Tacoma-Christian-Counseling-Logo-Fill-Stacked.jpg
621 Pacific Ave, Suite 302
TACOMA, WA 98402
United States
621 Pacific Ave, Suite 302
TACOMA, WA 98402
United States
Photo of Kristina Durene

Kristina Durene

Mar
2022
30

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

Kristina Durene

ADHDIndividual CounselingMen's IssuesWomen's Issues

Do you have trouble staying focused and finishing projects you start? Are you easily distracted? Have you ever wondered if you might have ADHD, or if there even is such a thing as ADHD in adults? If so, you are not alone. Many adults wrestle with ADHD and don’t even realize that’s what’s at the root of the challenges they face at work, in their relationships, or in their everyday life.

Symptoms of ADHD in AdultsAdult ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a mental health condition that can lead to unstable relationships, poor work performance, and low self-esteem. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines it as “a brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.”

Following is a list of common symptoms of ADHD in adults. It is normal for them to occur occasionally – almost everyone will exhibit one or more symptoms like these at one point or another in their lives, especially during periods of stress or fatigue. However, if the symptoms persist, and you experience them daily, it could very well be a sign of ADHD.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults

Impulsiveness. You don’t stop to think before you act or speak, and might be quick to jump to conclusions, react to things, or make hasty decisions you later regret. You are also impatient and tend to talk excessively, interrupt people speaking to you, butt into conversations, complete other people’s sentences for them, and blurt out answers before hearing the whole question.

Disorganization. There is little method or system to your life, and you have trouble planning or organizing things. It is difficult – if not impossible – for you to prioritize because everything feels equally important. This can lead to missed deadlines and forgotten appointments or social commitments, all of which can have a detrimental effect on your work and relationships.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults 1Poor time management skills. You are often late to appointments because you have trouble gauging how long it will take to get somewhere and think you have more time than you do. You also have trouble estimating how long a project will take, and so you tend to put off doing things until the last minute.

Easily distracted. You have trouble sticking to one thing until it is finished because you keep getting distracted by something else. This can be especially problematic at work, when you don’t finish tasks or follow through on instructions given to you and can lead to poor performance evaluations or even cost you your job. Distractedness can also lead to unsafe driving habits, resulting in speeding tickets and accidents.

Trouble focusing. It is difficult for you to pay attention. Your thoughts bounce all over the place, making it hard to focus on what is most important, such as the task in front of you. As a result, you are prone to careless mistakes. You also tend to zone out in the middle of conversations, which can adversely affect your work and personal relationships.

Restlessness. You are fidgety, and it is hard for you to relax or sit still for any length of time.

Lack of self-control. It is difficult for you to get started on a project, and once you do, you have trouble sticking with it until it’s done. You also have a hard time resisting the desire for instant gratification. Shortsighted, and with a tendency to misplace priorities, you are prone to act rashly, rather than consider the long-term rewards or consequences of your actions.

In this, you are much like Esau in the Bible, who when he came home famished after a day of hunting and smelled the mouthwatering aroma of his brother’s cooking, impulsively sold him his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:29-34).

Easily frustrated. You often feel overwhelmed and have trouble coping with stress, which may lead you to be emotionally unpredictable and given to frequent mood swings. You may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or outbursts of anger.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults 2Difficulty learning from the past. You tend to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over and have trouble making changes.

Forgetfulness. You often forget to do the things you say you are going to do and leave projects unfinished because you get distracted and then don’t remember to get back to them. You also tend to lose or misplace things, forgetting what you did with them.

There is some controversy over whether there is such a thing as adult-onset ADHD. The consensus used to be that if you have ADHD you were born with it. However recent studies indicate otherwise.

Several of them have identified individuals with ADHD in adulthood who did not have it in childhood, and one (Faraone & Bideman) even raises the possibility that childhood-onset ADHD and adult-onset ADHD could be two distinct syndromes. There is no definitive answer.

More often than not, ADHD is a condition that does not fully go away. It is, however, manageable. Following are some steps you can take to help you.

Actions that can help you manage symptoms of ADHD in adults

While not all interventions will be successful for all individuals struggling with ADHD symptoms, below are steps you can try to effectively cope with and manage your individual challenges.

Make lists. Creating checklists can help you stay on track and remember what you need to do. At work, it can ensure that all necessary tasks have been completed for the day.

Set a timer. Since there is a tendency for people with ADHD to underestimate how long a task or project will take, it’s a good idea to include a time limit for each job or project. This can help you stay focused and complete what you start.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults 3Write things down. Carry a notebook and pen around with you so you can jot down any thoughts, ideas, or tasks that need to be done as soon as they come to mind and before you have a chance to forget them.

Practice relaxation techniques. Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing can help you calm down.

Seek counseling. A skilled therapist can help you better understand your condition, and work through unhealthy emotions such as depression or anxiety that you may be experiencing as a result. The therapist can also teach you coping mechanisms, showing you how to transform unhealthy thinking patterns or behaviors into healthy habits that enable you to function in more appropriate ways.

Capitalize on the silver lining. Adult ADHD symptoms can make life difficult, but they also have another side that enables you to thrive in the right environment. For instance, an abundance of energy, spontaneity, resilience, and impulsiveness are all aptitudes that can give you an edge in sports.

Similarly, the ability to constantly shift focus, coupled with the desire for instant gratification, can make you a good game player. Creativity and the ability to think outside the box are gifts that can be optimized through music, art, or design. These are just a few examples.

See yourself as God sees you. God loves and works with imperfect people, and He has a purpose and plan for your life. You were made in God’s image to bring Him glory as part of His body, the Church. (Psalm 139:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26).

Christian Counseling for ADHD

If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment regarding ADHD in adults or another concern you have, please feel free to contact me or one of the other faith-based counselors in the online counselor directory. We are available to help you manage the challenges you face and support and encourage you along the way.

Resources:
Aiken, C. (March 11, 2021). Adult-Onset ADHD Raises Questions. Psychiatric Times, 38(3).Cooper, M., Hammerton, G., Collishaw, S. et al (2018). Investigating late-onset ADHD: a population cohort investigation, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 59(10):1105-1113.Dutton, J. (May 10, 2021). On Your Mark, Get Set, Glow: Three Inspiring Athletes with ADHD. ADDitudemag.com.Faraone, S.V. & Bideman, J. (July 2016). Can Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Onset Occur in Adulthood? JAMA Psychiatry, 73(7):65-656.

Moffitt, T. E., Houts, R., Asherson, P. et al (2015). Is adult ADHD a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder? Evidence from a four-decade longitudinal cohort study. Am J Psychiatry, 172(10):967-977.

Ora Horn Prouser, Esau’s Blessing (Teaneck, New Jersey: Ben Yehuda Press, 2011).

Photos:
“Focus”, Courtesy of Brett Jordan, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Checklist”, Courtesy of Glenn Carstens-Peters, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Egg Timer”, Courtesy of Marcelo Leal, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; Control”, Courtesy of Caleb Gregory, Unsplash.com, CC0 License

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Kristina Durene
Schedule with Kristina
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Kristina Durene

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
(253) 270-0920 kristinad@tacomachristiancounseling.com

I have a God-given passion for seeing individuals and families walking in wholeness and healing. I honor your courage to pursue a more fulfilling and joy-filled life. If you are ready to take the first steps toward positive change, I am here to support, encourage, and empower you. It is my greatest joy to walk with clients as they come into alignment with who they are purposed and called to be. As a Christian counselor, I see the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative process as I partner with my clients and rely on the Holy Spirit's presence and participation as both comforter and revealer of truth and wisdom. Read more articles by Kristina »

Other articles that might interest you...

What is Individual Counseling? 3
Photo of Nik Conroy

Nik Conroy

What is Individual Counseling?

The difficulties that come our way add variety and complexity to daily life. When we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by...

continue reading »
What is Premarital Counseling?
Tacoma Christian Counseling

What is Premarital Counseling?

Amongst the laundry list of pre-wedding “To-Dos” someone, somewhere along the way may have mentioned “premarital counseling.” However, if you...

continue reading »
Do I Have ADHD? Signs of Adult ADHD and Treatment Options
Photo of Missy Neill

Missy Neill

Do I Have ADHD? Signs of Adult ADHD and ...

Do you find yourself constantly losing your keys? Do you feel overwhelmed and unable to concentrate on daily tasks or...

continue reading »

About Kristina

Photo of Kristina Durene

Kristina Durene, MA, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I have a God-given passion for seeing individuals and families walking in wholeness and healing. I honor your courage to pursue a more fulfilling and joy-filled life. If you are ready to take the first steps toward positive change, I am here to support, encourage, and empower you. It is my greatest joy to walk with clients as they come into alignment with who they are purposed and called to be. As a Christian counselor, I see the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative process as I partner with my clients and rely on the Holy Spirit's presence and participation as both comforter and revealer of truth and wisdom. View Kristina's Profile

Recent articles by Kristina

  • Feb 27 · Beating the Stigma of Divorce 
  • Dec 16 · Bible Verses for Surviving Divorce
  • Nov 3 · 12 Ways to Improve Mental Health
See all articles by Kristina »

Related Services

  • ADHD
  • Individual Counseling
  • Men's Issues
  • Women's Issues

Kristina's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Puyallup office

    Puyallup

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (253) 200-5787
    1420 S Meridian, Suite C Puyallup, WA 98371

    View Office Details
  • Photo of the Online (WA only) office

    Online (WA only)

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (206) 388-3929
    444 Northeast Ravenna Boulevard Seattle, WA 98115

    View Office Details
Tacoma Christian Counseling Logo
Tacoma Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2023 Tacoma Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
621 Pacific Ave,, Tacoma, WA 98402. Tel (253) 777-1997.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
COVID-19 Service Update: We are still open for business. In office and online counseling is available if needed.