Adult ADHD | Inattentive

MedCircle
12 Aug 202212:50
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this insightful video, Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical psychologist, unveils nine often-overlooked symptoms of adult ADHD. She explains how these symptoms, such as making careless mistakes, difficulty sustaining attention, and forgetfulness, can significantly impact daily life and relationships. Dr. Ho emphasizes that ADHD is not a sign of laziness but a neurological condition that can be managed with proper coping strategies, behavioral interventions, and, if necessary, medication. The discussion also highlights the importance of mindfulness and self-compassion in managing ADHD symptoms, offering hope and actionable advice for those affected.

Takeaways
  • 🧐 Adult ADHD often goes unnoticed due to individuals building their lives around their interests, which can mask the symptoms.
  • 🔍 Difficulty sustaining attention is a hidden trait because adults with ADHD tend to focus on things they are interested in, but struggle with listening and focusing on what matters to others.
  • 👂 Not listening when spoken to directly is a sign of ADHD, especially when it occurs consistently rather than just during stressful periods.
  • 📝 Failing to follow through on tasks is a common complaint among adults with ADHD, who often struggle with starting and completing projects in a timely manner.
  • 🚫 The tendency to avoid or dislike tasks requiring sustained mental effort can lead to neglecting responsibilities and causing friction in relationships.
  • 🧳 Losing necessary items for tasks or activities is a frequent issue for adults with ADHD, often due to poor organization and absent-mindedness.
  • 🤔 Easily getting distracted by unrelated thoughts can impede focus and productivity, as individuals with ADHD struggle to manage intrusive thoughts.
  • 💭 The judgment and negative self-talk that follow distractions and unfinished tasks can have detrimental effects on self-esteem and well-being.
  • 🛑 Forgetfulness in daily activities is common among adults with ADHD, who may lack mindfulness and routine consistency.
  • 🌟 There is hope for adults diagnosed with ADHD, as it is a treatable condition with various scientific treatments available, including behavioral interventions and mindfulness strategies.
  • 🧠 Neuroplasticity allows for changes in brain function regardless of age, meaning that adults with ADHD can improve their skills and manage their symptoms effectively.
Q & A

  • What are some often hidden symptoms of adult ADHD according to Dr. Judy Ho?

    -Dr. Judy Ho mentions symptoms such as making careless mistakes, difficulty sustaining attention, not seeming to listen when spoken to directly, failing to follow through on tasks, exhibiting poor organization, avoiding tasks requiring sustained mental effort, losing necessary items for tasks, being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts, and forgetfulness in daily activities.

  • Why might an individual with ADHD prefer focusing on the big picture rather than details?

    -Individuals with ADHD may prefer the big picture because they have deficiencies in paying attention to details, lack patience for it, and make more mistakes when dealing with routine, monotonous information.

  • How does difficulty sustaining attention manifest as a hidden trait in adults with ADHD?

    -It's a hidden trait because adults with ADHD often build their lives around their interests, and the difficulty becomes apparent through complaints from partners or family members about them not listening or being tuned out.

  • What is the difference between someone being distracted due to stress and having ADHD?

    -The difference lies in the consistency of the distraction. If it only happens during stressful times, it might be stress-related. However, if the distraction is a constant issue, even when not stressed, it could indicate undiagnosed ADHD.

  • Why do people with ADHD often struggle with following through on tasks and instructions?

    -People with ADHD struggle with starting a project, seeing it through to completion, and doing so in a timely manner. They may get excited about tasks but falter in the details and have executive function issues that make it hard to get back on track or plan ahead.

  • How does the perception of laziness relate to ADHD and task completion?

    -People often misinterpret ADHD symptoms as laziness. However, ADHD is a neurological condition, and individuals with ADHD may work harder to cover up deficiencies perceived by others, rather than being willfully lazy.

  • How does poor organization impact the lives of those with ADHD?

    -Poor organization can lead to difficulties in executing projects, procrastination, frustration, disappointments, and negative self-talk, affecting both their daily functioning and self-esteem.

  • What distinguishes the avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort in individuals with ADHD from the general population?

    -For those with ADHD, the avoidance is more extreme and can lead to significant issues such as not paying bills for months, causing friction in relationships and affecting their overall life negatively.

  • Why do individuals with ADHD often lose necessary items for tasks or activities?

    -This can be attributed to poor organization and absent-mindedness, which are common in ADHD. Their brains may work in a way that leads to forgetfulness even with routine tasks.

  • How do unrelated thoughts impact the ability of individuals with ADHD to focus on tasks?

    -Unrelated thoughts can intrude and take over, making it difficult for individuals with ADHD to tune them out and maintain focus on the task at hand, leading to further difficulties in task completion and organization.

  • What is the role of mindfulness in helping individuals with ADHD?

    -Mindfulness strategies can help individuals with ADHD to focus better by teaching them to be more present and aware, which is an evidence-supported treatment for certain symptoms of ADHD.

  • What message of hope does Dr. Judy Ho offer to adults diagnosed with ADHD?

    -Dr. Judy Ho emphasizes that ADHD is treatable, and there are various scientific treatments available, including medication and behavioral interventions. She encourages learning coping mechanisms, accommodations, and leveraging neuroplasticity for improvement.

Outlines
00:00
🧐 Hidden Symptoms of Adult ADHD

Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical psychologist, discusses often-overlooked symptoms of adult ADHD. These include making careless mistakes due to a lack of attention to detail, difficulty sustaining attention which can be particularly noticeable to romantic partners and family, and not seeming to listen when spoken to directly. The conversation highlights how these symptoms can be mistaken for laziness or disinterest, but are actually indicative of executive function challenges and neurological conditions that require specific coping strategies or treatments.

05:00
🤯 Challenges in Task Execution and Organization for Adults with ADHD

The script delves into the struggles adults with ADHD face in following through on tasks and maintaining organization. Common issues include the inability to start and complete projects in a timely manner, leading to problems at work or with academic deadlines. Additionally, poor organizational skills can lead to procrastination, frustration, and lowered self-esteem. The discussion also addresses the tendency of individuals with ADHD to avoid tasks requiring sustained mental effort, often to the point of neglecting important responsibilities, which can strain relationships and cause further distress.

10:01
🧐 Everyday Forgetfulness and Distractions in Adult ADHD

This section of the script highlights the everyday forgetfulness that individuals with ADHD experience, such as losing necessary items for tasks or activities and being absent-minded. It also touches on the challenge of unrelated thoughts that can intrude and distract from current tasks, making it difficult for those with ADHD to maintain focus and complete tasks efficiently. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mindfulness skills and behavioral interventions as evidence-supported treatments for ADHD, offering hope for improvement and better management of symptoms.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡ADHD
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In the video, ADHD is the central theme, with Dr. Judy Ho discussing its symptoms and impact on adults. The script mentions various symptoms such as difficulty sustaining attention and poor organization, which are directly linked to the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD.
💡Careless Mistakes
Careless mistakes refer to errors made due to a lack of attention to detail or thoughtlessness. In the context of the video, Dr. Judy Ho explains that adults with ADHD often make these mistakes, especially when dealing with routine and monotonous tasks. This is an example of the inattention aspect of ADHD, where the individual struggles to focus on details, leading to errors.
💡Sustaining Attention
Sustaining attention is the ability to maintain focus on a task over a period of time. The video highlights that adults with ADHD often struggle with this, as they may find it difficult to listen or stay focused on what someone is saying. This is a classic symptom of ADHD, where the individual's mind may wander or become easily distracted.
💡Executive Function
Executive function refers to the set of cognitive skills that help an individual to plan, initiate, monitor, and adjust their behavior to achieve a specific goal. In the script, Dr. Judy Ho discusses how individuals with ADHD may struggle with executive functions, such as starting and completing tasks in a timely manner, which can lead to issues like missing deadlines and disorganization.
💡Organizational Skills
Organizational skills are the abilities to arrange and manage one's activities and tasks efficiently. The video emphasizes the importance of these skills and how individuals with ADHD often exhibit poor organization, leading to difficulties in executing projects and managing responsibilities across different domains of life.
💡Avoidance
Avoidance, in the context of ADHD, is the tendency to evade or dislike tasks that require sustained mental effort. The script mentions that people with ADHD might avoid tasks like paying bills not because they can't do it, but because they dislike the process, leading to significant problems in their daily life.
💡Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the current moment without being distracted by unrelated thoughts or emotions. The video suggests that mindfulness skills can be beneficial for individuals with ADHD, helping them to focus better and manage their symptoms more effectively.
💡Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is the ability of the brain to change and adapt as a result of experience. Dr. Judy Ho mentions neuroplasticity in the video to convey a sense of hope, indicating that regardless of age, one's brain can change and improve, which is particularly relevant for managing ADHD symptoms.
💡Unrelated Thoughts
Unrelated thoughts are ideas or mental distractions that are not connected to the task at hand. The video describes how individuals with ADHD may experience an intrusion of unrelated thoughts during tasks, making it difficult for them to concentrate and complete their work effectively.
💡Self-Esteem
Self-esteem refers to an individual's overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In the context of the video, poor organizational skills and difficulties in managing tasks can negatively impact an individual's self-esteem, as they may feel incapable or overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
💡Behavioral Interventions
Behavioral interventions are therapeutic approaches that aim to change or modify behaviors. The video mentions that, in addition to medication, there are various behavioral interventions available for treating ADHD. These interventions can help individuals learn coping mechanisms and strategies to manage their symptoms.
Highlights

Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical psychologist, discusses often hidden symptoms of adult ADHD.

Individuals with ADHD may make careless mistakes and lack attention to detail, often due to deficiencies in handling routine, monotonous information.

Difficulty sustaining attention in adults with ADHD may not always be apparent but can be a hidden trait affecting relationships and work.

People with ADHD might not seem to listen when spoken to directly, often requiring repetition of what was said.

Failing to follow through on tasks is a common complaint among adults with ADHD, affecting their work and academic performance.

Adults with ADHD are often not lazy but struggle with executive function, making it hard to start and complete projects in a timely manner.

Poor organization skills can lead to procrastination, frustration, and low self-esteem in individuals with ADHD.

Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort can be a sign of ADHD, especially when it leads to significant life disruptions.

Individuals with ADHD often lose necessary items for tasks or activities due to poor organization and absent-mindedness.

Unrelated thoughts can distract individuals with ADHD from their tasks, impacting their ability to focus and complete projects.

Forgetfulness in daily activities is common among adults with ADHD, who may struggle with mindfulness and routine tasks.

Mindfulness skills and strategies can be beneficial for adults with ADHD to improve focus and manage symptoms.

Adult ADHD is treatable with a variety of scientific treatments, including medication and behavioral interventions.

Learning coping mechanisms and accommodations can help individuals with ADHD improve their skill sets and manage their symptoms.

Neuroplasticity allows for changes in brain function at any age, offering hope for improvement in ADHD symptoms.

Dr. Judy Ho emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing adult ADHD for improved mental health and well-being.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Perfectionism and ADHD | Thriving with Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD What You Need to Know

ADD/ADHD | What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

ADHD in Girls and Women | Martha Barnard-Rae | TEDxKinjarling

ADHD in Women and Girls

Does Mindfulness Meditation Work for ADHD

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Adult ADHDHidden SymptomsClinical PsychologyAttention IssuesOrganizational SkillsMindfulnessExecutive FunctionCoping StrategiesNeuroplasticityBehavioral Interventions