Featured Image Credit: Instagram/draliajaz
Topics: Health, Mental Health, Women's Health, Advice
Jen Thomas
Topics: Health, Mental Health, Women's Health, Advice
If you have ADHD, chances are you're very aware of the many signs and symptoms that you experience.
However, if you haven't yet had an official diagnosis and wonder if you might be neurodivergent, a doctor has shared his experiences.
There are apparently three signs that are regularly present in ADHD patients he sees, including one of them which might come as quite the surprise, too.
In a helpful Instagram reel, Dr Ali Ajaz shared a common thread he's noticed, in hopes to raise awareness of the condition and help people get a diagnosis.
First things first - the NHS describes ADHD as 'a condition that affects people's behaviour'.
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"People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse", they add.
It also says that many adults aren't diagnosed until later in life.
It can also cause additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.
According to Dr Ajaz, there are three signs you might have ADHD - and one of them is likley to go unnoticed, as it's a super common trait many struggle with.
Do you ever struggle to complete your to-do list? Maybe there's a list of chores the length of your arm but you just can't seem to get started?
Dr Ajaz says that 'not being able to get stuff done' is one of the most common issues people with ADHD deal with.
He gives an example of the 'day-to-day, mundane things' which might be the bane of your life, such as paying bills, washing the dishes and tidying your room.
This isn't just laziness; it can be a sign of neurodivergence or ADHD, especially as the psychiatrist points out that this procrastination also apples to 'big life deadlines' too.
"It's not until the eleventh hour when that voice in your head goes into panic mode that they take action", he says. "Usually, whatever they need to do is done to a pretty good standard."
Moving on, the second sign Dr Ajaz frequently sees is depression and anxiety.
He explains: "If you're an adult with undiagnosed ADHD, generally, life sucks".
Straight to the point there! He continues: "Everything takes much more effort, you beat yourself up more than others and your mood and emotions can be all over the place."
He says that experiencing these signs for years without diagnosis or treatment can lead to anxiety and depression.
And thirdly, Dr Ajaz pointed to one symptom that most people might overlook - gut-related issues.
Yep, it might not be the triple cheese pizza or love of a latte causing the problem after all...
Dr Ajaz says 'chronic gut problems, a.k.a IBS, either bloating, constipation, gas, diarrhoea, pain and cramps' might be indicative of a neurodivergency.
If this sounds like you, it might be worth trying to get an appointment to see your GP to find out more.
He added: “If you have most of these signs most of the time, there’s a good chance you may have ADHD."
Dr Ajaz has also shared other content about why women often go undiagnosed as they appear 'quiet and distracted' which allows them to go under the radar.
If you think you or your child may have ADHD, then you can speak to your GP.
They cannot assess you, but they can refer you to someone who can.
If it is for your child or teenager, according to the NHS, they might want you to do a 'watchful waiting' period, which lasts around ten weeks.
According to the NHS: "an adult may be diagnosed with ADHD if they have 5 or more of the symptoms of inattentiveness, or 5 or more of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, listed in diagnostic criteria for children with ADHD."