An Unexpected Conversation at the Bank :
was sitting quietly in the bank, waiting for my turn, when I overheard two ladies discussing, and their discussion caught my attention.
“I don't know what is wrong with me. I no longer keep to schedules. I could be doing the laundry one moment, and the next, I'm in the garage without completing my first task. This has been happening for as long as I can remember, and I'm so worried," the first lady said.
The second lady smiled knowingly. "I used to feel the same way until I met with a psychiatrist. It turned out that my symptoms were much worse than I thought they were. I could walk into a room to get a book and forget what I wanted to get; I could be reading a book and suddenly decide to grab a cup of coffee and get into cleaning my kitchen spontaneously. I complained to my neighbour, who happened to be a nurse, and she told me to book an appointment with a doctor to be evaluated, after which I was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD."
"Isn't that supposed to be a childhood disorder? How could an adult be diagnosed with that?" the first lady asked. I looked up and saw her face bewildered.
It was my turn to see the customer service spot, so I couldn't listen in to the rest of the conversations; however, the question stuck in my mind. Many people do not know that ADHD isn't just a childhood disorder but is far more complex and could go undiagnosed for a long time.
What exactly is ADHD?
When one hears about ADHD, the first thing that comes to mind is a hyperactive child and one who is quite talkative. As much as ADHD is mostly diagnosed during childhood, it doesn't simply disappear with age; for many individuals, the condition persists into adulthood and may give a picture of disorganisation, laziness and poor discipline, especially when undiagnosed.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain processes information, manages attention, controls impulses, and regulates emotions. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual (DSM-5), ADHD could present in three forms.
1
Inattentive presentation:
This presentation is often missed during childhood because it's not as loud as the other. It is characterised by constant difficulty sustaining attention, forgetfulness, missing details, and even leaving tasks unfinished.
2
Hyperactive-impulsive presentation:
Characterised by impulsive decision-making, excessive restlessness, excessive talking, interrupting others, acting without thinking and impatience.
3
Combined presentation:
This is the most common diagnosis. Here, the person is distracted and restless at the same time. They tend to switch tasks frequently.
Causes of ADHD:
The exact causes of ADHD are not completely understood; however, it could result from certain factors like:
● Genetics: ADHD tends to run in families. A parent with ADHD is most likely to give birth to a child with it.
● Differences in brain structure and function: there could be slight differences in the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum of these individuals' brains, leading to changes in attention, impulse control, organisation, and decision-making.
● Imbalance in brain chemicals: the brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters (dopamine and norepinephrine) to function. Altered activities in the function of these chemicals could lead to ADHD.
Symptoms of adult ADHD:
These symptoms must have been noticed from childhood, as ADHD doesn't suddenly start in adulthood.
● Frequent difficulty in sustaining attention, such as losing focus when reading or mid-conversations
● Frequent forgetfulness
● Misplacing items
● Interrupting people during conversations
● Having outbursts at minor inconveniences
“If you've spent years wondering why staying focused feels harder for you than everyone else, you're not alone—and there may be an explanation.”
How can adult ADHD be diagnosed?
Because this condition is a neurodevelopmental issue, it cannot be fully cured but can be managed effectively. Options of management include:
● Use of medications like stimulants.
● Psychological therapy, like cognitive behavioural therapy and stress management techniques.
● Lifestyle modification by employing the use of planners and reminders, minimising distraction in the environment and creating a proper sleep routine.
● Treatment of coexisting conditions like anxiety and depression.
● Regular follow-up to monitor for improvement of symptoms and side effects of medications.
Could it be ADHD? Find out.
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What happens when adult ADHD is left untreated?
ADHD is often treated as just an attention disorder, but it can have wide-ranging effects on the individual involved, like:
● Poor academic performance
● Reduced work productivity
● Poor time management
● Increased risk of anxiety disorders
● Substance misuse and addiction
● Sleep disturbances
● Emotional dysregulation, such as irritability or mood swings
Conclusion:
ADHD is more than just being easily distracted or impulsive. It is a medical condition that can affect work, education, and everyday life. With timely diagnosis and intervention, adults with ADHD can build careers and live fulfilling lives. If you have persistent symptoms of ADHD, seeking professional help is the first step toward understanding the condition and taking control of it.
Sources & further reading
- American Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Diagnostic Criteria. (Text Revision, 2022).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Management (NG87). (Updated 2025).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. (Reviewed 2025).
