Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than what is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development.

For ADHD to be diagnosed in adulthood, there must be evidence of the disorder before age 7 and the symptoms must persist in more than one setting in life (school, work, home etc.).

Possible Signs of ADHD in Adulthood

Physical Symptoms:

  • Restlessness
  • Impulsiveness
  • Distractibility
  • Emotional deregulation (temper)
  • Poor time management
  • Trouble planning, organizing and prioritizing
  • Procrastination
  • Relationship/social problems

Psychological Symptoms:

  • Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, inadequate
  • Poor working memory (short term memory)
  • Low morale due to repeated criticism
  • Guilt and shame
  • Chronic feelings of alienation or feeling different from others

Types of Mental Health Problems

Disorder Disclaimer

The following are mental health problems (as defined by Reardon and Factor, 2010; Gardner and Moore, 2006; Mental Health Commission of Canada – Mental Health First Aid Canada, 2011).

Supporting ‘red flag’ examples are also provided to initiate the awareness and early detection of mental health problems. Please note this is not an exhaustive list, but a breakdown of some common mental health problems and the corresponding physical and psychological symptoms to look out for.