Jerry is 40-years-old and has a history of changing jobs. He is easily bored and distracted. Jerry’s wife is frustrated with all the home projects he starts and never finishes.

A trip to the doctor landed Jerry a referral to a psychologist for an ADHD evaluation. When Jerry received the diagnosis, it all made sense. As a child, he struggled in school despite being very bright. He lost things, forgot to turn in homework and excelled in subjects that were his passion. Because he wasn’t hyperactive and few people talked about ADHD, Jerry’s struggles were not well understood.

Jerry’s diagnosis is not a matter of poor self-discipline, bad parenting or distractibility. He has a heritable condition that affects 4.4 % of adults in any given year (The National Institute of Mental Health). Adults with ADHD had the condition when they were children, but may have been undiagnosed. Now, celebrities like Ty Pennington, Ryan Gosling,  Justin Timberlake, and gymnast Simone Biles, bring awareness to the diagnosis and are good examples of people who thrive with treatment.

To make the diagnosis, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5-TR) notes that a person must have 5 or more symptoms of inattentive or five or more symptoms of hyperactivity present for a minimum of six months. Those symptoms usually interfere with social, academic or work activities.

Check the list below to see if you or someone you know might need an evaluation. Find a therapist and learn how to thrive with the diagnosis of ADHD.

Inattention Symptoms
__ Fails to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes.
__ Often has trouble remaining focused during lectures, conversations, or while reading.
__When spoken to directly, your mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any apparent distraction.
__ Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work or chores.
__Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, so fails to meet deadlines.
__Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to undertake tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as preparing reports or completing forms.
__Often loses things needed for tasks, such as books, wallet, paperwork, or cell phone.
__Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
__Forgetful in daily activities such as running errands, returning calls, paying bills, and keeping appointments.

Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Symptoms
__ Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms while seated.
__Gets up when remaining seated is expected, such as at work.
__Often runs around where it is inappropriate.
__Unable to quietly engage in leisure activities, such as reading or gardening.
__ Often unable or uncomfortable sitting still for an extended time, as in restaurants or meetings.
__Often talks excessively.
__ Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed, finishes other people’s sentences, or cannot wait your turn in conversation.
__ Has trouble waiting your turn, such as in line at a bank or store.
__Often interrupts others by butting into conversations or activities.

Treatment usually includes medications and therapy. Coaching and exercise are helpful. Successful treatment improves your quality of life and will help all your relationships. If this sounds like you or someone you know, get help today!