Repeated unemployment, I only blamed myself... It was due to 'ADHD' that I didn't realize until I became an adult

Mr. A in his late twenties had been fired from his job more than usual. It was because he either couldn't finish his tasks or kept repeating the same mistakes. In daily life, he also lost items like his credit card or wallet every week. Troubled by the thought that he couldn't do "one person's share" like others, he sought help from a mental health clinic. Mr. A was not a distracted child during class time in his school days.

However, unexpectedly, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), one of the neurodevelopmental disorders.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, but there are quite a few cases where it is only discovered in adulthood. This is often because the typical suspicious symptoms are not prominent. If left untreated with the mindset of "I've managed well so far," it can develop into depression later on, so treatment should be started as early as possible. When should we suspect adult ADHD?

 

◇ "I'm good at focusing when I concentrate..." but it could still be ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized mainly by three symptoms: ▲ inattentiveness, ▲ hyperactivity, and ▲ impulsiveness. The public is most familiar with hyperactivity, perceiving it as a "disorder that can't sit still." When someone is noticeably unable to focus on something in place, many seek mental health treatment, saying "Our child is distracted." However, depending on the patient, all three symptoms may appear, or only one. This means there are ADHD patients like Mr. A who are not distractible.

Professor Lee Jung-seop of Inha University Hospital's Department of Psychiatry said, "Even people who are good at focusing on games, reading, or studying can have ADHD," and "You should especially suspect it when someone is so absorbed in one thing that they can't pay attention to anything else." For example, if there are multiple tasks to do at work, one should be able to distribute their focus according to importance, such as 50%, 30%, and 20%, and complete them all. However, ADHD patients tend to be fully absorbed only in activities they find interesting, leaving the rest of the tasks untouched because they find them unappealing. Having issues with attention and concentration does not simply mean that the duration of focus is short. It indicates a lack of ability to allocate focus according to the importance of the task.

 

◇Suspecting ADHD when frequently being clumsy to the point of disrupting daily life, losing objects often, or being excessively poor at time management. ADHD is broadly divided into 'Quiet ADHD' and 'Distracted ADHD.' Unlike distracted ADHD, which is characterized by restless behavior and repetitive speech, Quiet ADHD does not show hyperactivity but only exhibits poor attention and concentration. Most adults diagnosed with ADHD fall into the category of Quiet ADHD. Hyperactivity tends to decrease naturally with age, but lack of attention often does not improve much after growth. About 20% of ADHD patients have Quiet ADHD. It is more difficult to notice than those with hyperactivity, leading to a lower rate of treatment.

 

Quiet ADHD patients are more prone to being clumsy than distracted.

▲ Frequently makes mistakes at work ▲ Finds it difficult to focus and complete tasks once started ▲ Often loses belongings ▲ Struggles with organization and tidiness ▲ Has difficulty planning effectively ▲ Often forgets appointments and commitments, among other symptoms. Professor Ji Su-hyuk of the Department of Psychiatry at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "People who keep forgetting conversations with others or find it hard to do boring but necessary tasks such as work and household chores should consider seeking counseling."

 

◇Medication treatment is possible, but 'lifestyle modification' is more important. Although it may seem late to start treatment after being diagnosed and beginning treatment in childhood, adults diagnosed with ADHD should also definitely start treatment.

Problems caused by ADHD can also disrupt daily life.

Mr. A said, "Repeatedly causing harm to others due to my mistakes in company or group life has led to depression." Professor Kim In-hyang of the Department of Psychiatry at Hanyang University Hospital said, "If not treated, difficulties in social and daily life can lead to psychological disorders such as depression, so early treatment at a hospital is recommended," and "At any stage of life, behaviors such as self-harm or harm to others can occur due to ADHD."

 

Medication treatment is possible for adult ADHD, but habit improvement through cognitive-behavioral therapy is more important. ADHD medication temporarily reduces excitement, calming the person. While it is highly effective for distractible ADHD, it may be less effective for quiet ADHD patients who do not originally exhibit prominent hyperactivity. Professor Kim In-hyang said, "In adult ADHD, the treatment goal is to alleviate comorbid symptoms and enable individuals to find employment and adapt independently in the community," adding, "Efforts to improve lifestyle habits must be accompanied." Professor Ji Su-hyuk stated, "Even if attention and concentration are low, training must continue."

 

You need to set your goals first by identifying which problems you want to improve. It is important to gain confidence by solving problems step by step. Since most adult ADHD patients have difficulty managing their time, special attention should be paid to time management. It is recommended to start with simple daily schedules and try creating a light plan. Before going to bed, spend about 30 minutes thinking about what to do tomorrow and at least decide on the essential tasks. If you feel you might not be able to complete the planned tasks, it is okay to modify the schedule midway. Keeping a journal to reflect on your daily actions and identify areas for improvement is also encouraged. It doesn't have to be lengthy or detailed; simply writing down what happened today and how you felt can be effective. Think of it as making a list of the actions you took that day.

 

 

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If you think it might apply, I think it's also important to seek counseling ^^

 

There is nothing more important than taking care of oneself in today's world.

 

Quiet ADHD is said to easily lead to depression.