[Instructor] Hey you Psych2Goers, welcome back to another video. Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a disorder marked by an
ongoing pattern of inattention or hyperactivity that interferes with functioning and development. It can make focusing on everyday tasks and routine challenging. ADHD doesn't mean that you cannot focus. In some cases, it means
that you focus intensely on something that may not be a priority. Some people describe it as a constant feeling of
being overwhelmed or paranoid. For years, people with
ADHD were stigmatized and labeled as lazy, procrastinators, flaky or irresponsible. These labels only produce shame and prevent those with
ADHD from seeking help. But please remember that these labels do not represent who you are. Before we begin, remember that this video is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for
professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. With that said, here are five signs you might have ADHD. Number one, childhood history. It's common for people
diagnosed with ADHD as adults to have exhibited
symptoms during childhood, even if they were not formally diagnosed. A reason you may not have been diagnosed is that ADHD shares similar
symptoms with depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, and an inability to focus. Number two, short attention span. Speaking of similarities
between ADHD and depression, the most common similarity
is short attention span. However, the difference
between them is motivation. Someone with ADHD has
a short attention span as a result of the condition. There is no definitive reason to explain why a short attention span is one of the symptoms. However, researchers believe that differences in brain
structure might play a role. It's not that you're
incapable of being focused. It's that something else
caught your brain's attention. ADHD can also make you
hyper focused on something. It sounds paradoxical, but this too is seen as
having a short attention span or to restate, a selective attention span. Number three, leaving things unfinished. As a result of a short attention span, you might be prone to
leaving things undone. Projects, housework,
homework might be put off for another day or fall to the sidelines, regardless of how enthusiastic
you are to start them. Though frustrating and
incredibly challenging, there are therapies that can help. Doctors typically prescribe medication as a form of treatment. Depending on your ADHD, they may prescribe stimulants or non-stimulants to help you focus. There is also the option of psychotherapy where a therapist might
engage in behavioral therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Number four, poor impulse control. Another sign that you might have ADHD is poor impulse control. Now this wouldn't be a
one-off clothing splurge. This is more like doing something you know you should not do, like running a red light or maxing out your card on something you know you don't need. You may not even know why you do things. You just do them. That's what poor impulse control is. It's acting without any foresight. But impulse control is
not always as dramatic. Sometimes it can be as
subtle as having distractions for your distractions,
interrupting conversations, engaging in risky behaviors or spending large amounts of money when your bank account is low. Number five, inability to get organized. The last time that you might have ADHD is that you cannot seem to get organized. Deadlines creep up out of the blue and priorities have gone out the window, but do not fret. There is hope. While calendar, planners
and bullet journals may work for some, they may not work in your case. However, alarms may help. Give yourself 30 minutes to an hour to complete something
from your to do list. After the alarm rings, move on to the next item, whether you finished the
previous item or not. That way you don't get
stuck working on one thing. So did you relate to any of these signs? I did. We hope you've learned about some of the different signs of ADHD. Consult a mental health professional if you identify with these signs. They can guide you
through forms of therapy that can be greatly beneficial. Please like and share it with friends that might find some
insight in this video too. Make sure to subscribe to Psych2Go and hit the notification
bell for more content. All the references used are added in the description box below. Thanks so much for watching, and we'll see you next time.