A doctor has outlined the six 'hidden signs' of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that appear in adults.
Now, the estimated rate of ADHD in UK adults is three to four percent, with a higher prevalence in males according to the NHS. However, many adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, and recent years have seen a significant rise in people seeking assessments.
The NHS defines ADHD as 'a condition where the brain works differently to most people', adding: "If you have ADHD, you may have trouble with things like concentrating and sitting still."
Symptoms of ADHD involve your ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive) and your ability to control your impulses (being impulsive).
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You may show signs of being inattentive, such as: being easily distracted or forgetful, finding it hard to organise your time, finding it hard to follow instructions or finish tasks and losing things often, like your wallet, mobile or keys.
You may also show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including: having a lot of energy or feeling restless, being very talkative or interrupting conversations AND making quick decisions without thinking about what might happen as a result.
Dr Ali Ajaz, a consultant psychiatrist who regularly shares his expertise with his 97.7k followers on TikTok, has now revealed a handful of signs he commonly spots in people with ADHD.
'Hyperfocus'
In the clip, the expert began: "Did you know ADHD has some hidden features that most people just don't talk about? Let's dive in. First up, hyper-focusing on enjoyable tasks.
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"People with ADHD can get so deeply absorbed that they lose track of time. Now this can be helpful and considered to be a superpower by many, but it often leads to neglecting other tasks and life more generally."
Sex drive
Up next, Dr Ali noted that an overactive or under-active sex drive can be a warning sign.
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Regarding those with a high sex drive, this could be that 'it's part of that stimulation, dopamine-seeking behaviour, or just a good way to help with relaxation'.
"For others, sex can just take too much time and require just too much concentration," he added, referring to those with an 'under-active' sex drive.
Binge eating
"Number three, binge eating," the doctor went on, noting that ADHD brains 'often crave stimulation'.
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According to Dr Ali, food can be an easy way to satisfy that urge.
Rejection sensitivity
"Even a small amount of criticism can feel deeply painful, leading to overthinking and withdrawal from others," he outlined.
Low self-esteem
Dr Ali went on to note that both low self-esteem and self-doubt are 'very common' in people who have ADHD, noting that it often in part stems from 'years of struggling with ADHD symptoms'.
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"Either being told that you're just not good enough and that you need to try harder, or trying as hard as you can, but often just not achieving your potential. Really, it's a combination of both," he explained.
Chronic gut issues
And last on Dr Ali's list is 'chronic gut symptoms'.
He said: "Many people with ADHD experience issues like bloating, pain, constipation, diarrhoea, mainly due to the gut-brain connection. ADHD brains are often inflamed, and the biggest source of inflammation is from what you put in your gut and how often you put it in."
The doctor rounded off the short clip, concluding: "ADHD is more complex than it may first seem, and a diagnosis is certainly by no means a tick box exercise."
Find out more about ADHD in adults on the official NHS website here.
Topics: Mental Health, Life, Explained, Health, Advice
Rhiannon Ingle