When you think about ADHD, you probably imagine a 7-year-old boy running around in circles, screaming. But the reality is, someone you know — an office mate, a close friend, even your spouse — may have it, even if you don’t see the classic symptoms. About 5% of adults have ADHD. While some of them were diagnosed as kids and never “grew out of it,” others didn’t get the correct diagnosis until they were well into adulthood, and some are simply unaware that they have ADHD at all.
Regardless, they have one thing in common: They’ve probably heard plenty of theories from friends and family as to why they are the way they are. But these sorts of armchair analyses aren’t helpful to someone having a hard time with ADHD, and can even hurt them.It may seem to you that your co-worker who claims he has ADHD just wants an excuse to slack off. It looks like he’s unmotivated and unwilling to work, but it’s really that he has trouble staying focused enough to get his work done. He can be easily distracted by sights or sounds. So when you’re talking with another office mate nearby, it may be very hard for him to do to the task at hand.
Adults with ADHD often crave a lot of stimulation and excitement, so they can’t stand doing ho-hum, routine tasks like filling out paperwork. They can take longer to do these kinds of projects or often avoid doing them entirely. It’s tough for them to stay on top of things. People with ADHD often describe their lives as feeling chaotic and out of control. They might seem careless because they’re scrambling to find their phone or to pay that bill, but they’re overwhelmed.
You can help by suggesting how to break a project into manageable parts, prioritizing tasks, providing clear instructions and complete information, and following up often. https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-wish-you-knew#1
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.