Symptomatic & Behavioural Red Flags for Adult ADHD

Here is a useful list of 'red flag' symptoms and behaviours that may indicate the possibility of Adult ADHD. This list is found on the website of CADDRA, the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance. Note that obviously not all of these will be present in a given individual with Adult ADHD. Typically we develop coping mechanisms as we grow out of childhood and our juvenile years, such that we find ways of successfully coping with the drawbacks and deficits of ADHD.

Red Flags for Adult ADHD

• A lifelong history of difficulty with attention
• A history of disruptive or impulsive behaviour
• Organizational skill problems (time management difficulties, misses appointments, frequent late and unfinished projects)
• Erratic work history (changes jobs frequently, unprepared for meetings, projects not completed on time, reports of coworkers, employers and clients being frustrated with them)
• Anger control problems (argumentative with authority figures, over controlling as a parent, fighting with coworkers or child's teachers, episodes of rage)
• Marital problems (spouse complains that he/she does not listen, speaks without thinking, is impulsive, forgets important events)
• Being over-talkative, interrupts frequently or inappropriately, speaks too loudly
• Parenting problems (difficulty establishing and maintaining household routines, inconsistency in dealing with the children)
• Money management problems (making impulsive purchases, running out of money, failing to pay bills or do taxes, history of bankruptcy)
• Substance use or abuse, especially alcohol or marijuana, or excessive caffeine use
• Addictions such as collecting, compulsive shopping, sexual avoidance or addiction, overeating, compulsive exercise or gambling
• Frequent accidents
• Problems with driving (speeding tickets, serious accidents, license revoked, or being overly cautious when driving to compensate for attention problems)
• Being a parent of a child with ADHD
• A college student who is frustrated, having to reduce their course load, or having difficulty completing assignments
• An ADHD diagnosis as a child and continuing to have problems
• Reports from those close to the adult that they are just like a child or relative with ADHD or identifying them as having many of the symptoms associated with adult ADHD
• Evidence that the adult is not just coping poorly, but is significantly impaired and is at high risk of developing secondary disorders such as anxiety and depression
• The adult may be successful but shows impairment when compared to their potential
• An adult who is expending more energy than others to do the same amount of work
• An adult who is using coping strategies to compensate for their weaknesses, but still experiencing problems with their career and work relations or becoming a workaholic
• An adult who self-diagnoses, but still needs to go through a complete assessment

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Cheers,

Mungo