The ADD Assessment
& Family Support Centre
& Family Support Centre
Signs for Symptoms in Adults
As a general guide, at least 12 of the following are present:
(Ref: The Gosforth Clinic - which specialises in Adult ADD/ADHD www.gosforthclinic.com.au)
- A sense of underachievement, of not meeting one’s goals – unable to capitalise on innate potential
- Difficulty getting organised – without the structure of school or parents
- Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started – anxiety with beginning a task
- Many projects going simultaneously; trouble with follow through
- Tendency to say what comes to mind, with necessarily considering the timing or appropriateness of the remark
- An ongoing search for high stimulation – always on the lookout for something novel
- A tendency to be easily bored – inability to sustain interest over time
- Easy distractibility, trouble focusing attention, tendency to tune out or drift in the middle of a page or a conversation, often coupled with an inability to hyperfocus at times – attention inconsistency
- Often creative, intuitive, highly intelligent
- Trouble going through established channels, following proper procedure
- Impatient; low tolerance for frustration
- Implusive, either verbally or in action, ie spending money, changing plans, enacting new schemes or career plans
- Tendency to worry needlessly; tendency to scan the horizon looking for something to worry about, alternating with inattention or disregard to actual dangers
- Sense of impending doom, insecurity, alternating with high risk taking
- Mood swings, depression, especially when disengaged from a person or project
- Restlessness – “nervous energy”, feeling edgy while at rest
- Tendency toward addictive behaviour – alcohol, cocaine, gambling, shopping, eating or overwork
- Chronic problems with selg-esteem – being told one is a clumsy, a space cadet or an underachiever Inaccurate self-observation – unable to gauge the impact they have on other people
- Family history of ADD, depression, substance abuse, manic depression, other disorders of impulse, control or mood.
Other:
Childhood history of ADD. (It may not have been formally diagnosed, but in reviewing the history the signs and symptoms were there.)
Situation not explained by other medical or psychiatric condition.