13 Adult ADHD Challenges: You’re Not Alone

Om and OMG! A Yogi’s Adult ADHD Doodle Diary

Adult ADHD Challenges: Discover The 13 Top Challenges Faced By Adults With ADHD 

Dear ADHD Doodle Diary,

Today, I’m sharing the 13 life challenges faced by adults with ADHD, and my brother’s “very honest” reaction to my Adult ADHD diagnosis.

I only found out that I had Adult ADHD a year ago!

I’m 49 years old.

That means I’ve had 48 years of feeling a bit weird and not knowing why. 

Like most people with adult ADHD, I have an overactive brain that causes a near-constant stream of anxiety and flat energy (dissociation) due to low levels of dopamine in the brain.

“After cramming my brain full of Adult ADHD knowledge (books, podcasts, youtube videos), and making sure of taking notes so I didn’t immediately forget everything, I discovered some good news. ADHD is the easiest disorder to find effective coping strategies for.”

After letting my family and close friends know that I have Adult ADHD disorder, I was met with two different reactions.

The First Reaction From Family Went Something Like This

“Yeah, I thought you were a bit weird.” 

After opening up to my older brother about the disorder, and apologising for not keeping in touch with him and his family (which is common for people with ADHD), he without hesitation said: 

“I always thought you were a bit of a wanker.”

He said this without a hint of jest.

He doesn’t like me. I’ve always known that, even as a kid. I’m a B-type who struggles to cope with mundane, everyday matters.

I struggle with getting to bed on time.

I struggle with getting to sleep.

I struggle with planning my day.

I struggle to take action on goals.

I struggle to get onto my yoga mat.

I struggle with anxiety in social situations.

I struggle with anxiety in all situations – even when spreading Vegan butter on a slice of toast…because my mind is speeding along at a gazillion miles per hour. 

I struggle with a constant feeling of tiredness – even though I have a healthy diet, practice yoga consistently, and run regularly. The reason I’m constantly tired isn’t due to my diet or lack of exercise. Adults with ADHD are “disassociated” due to low dopamine levels, and therefore feel unmotivated. 

You name it, I struggle with it.

For the past 49 years, I’ve struggled with the basics of leading a “normal life”.  

My brother, on the other hand, is an A-type who reached the pinnacle of his profession. 

He’s a world-beater.

He sets goals and doesn’t stop until he’s reached them, or died trying.

He’s relentless.

He’s ambitious.

He’s motivated.

He’s all the things I’m not.

I suppose it was inevitable that whenever he saw his struggling little brother, all he could see was a pile of self-imposed weakness. 

I wasn’t sure whether to include this story of my brother, but I think it’s important to provide an honest picture of how someone with adult ADHD can struggle with relationships. 

My brother was the golden child in the family, but he was golden to me, too. He was a God to me as a kid, a golden God, and still to this day looms larger than life in my younger-brother eyes.

To be told you’re a wanker by your golden God, older brother is quite the thing. It’s something that I’m still processing, mulling over, and chewing on. 

I fully understand why my brother called me a wanker.

My brain has a disorder, an ADHD disorder. Being undiagnosed for 48 years has caused struggles with most of my relationships.

I’m not alone.

Adult ADHD affects millions of people (5 to 15% of the human population). 

The Second Reaction From Family Went Something Like This

“Hmmm, I think I might have ADHD, too!”

Undiagnosed Adult ADHD is common but most people with the disorder haven’t got the faintest clue that they have it. Take a look at these 13 life challenges.

If you have several of them, I recommend learning more about Adult ADHD Coping Strategies. 

The Top 13 Adult ADHD Challenges

Challenge 1: Difficulty with Focus & Concentration

Adults with ADHD often struggle to maintain focus on tasks, especially those that are repetitive or less stimulating. This can lead to difficulties in completing work assignments, reading, or even holding conversations.

Challenge 2: Time Management & Organisation Issues

Managing time, prioritising tasks, and staying organized can be challenging for individuals with ADHD. They might struggle to plan their day, meet deadlines, or remember appointments.

I created this Long-term Planning System Using Index Cards, to help make planning fun.  

Challenge 3: Procrastination

Many adults with ADHD find it challenging to start tasks, especially those that they find boring or overwhelming. Procrastination can lead to increased stress and last-minute rushes to complete tasks.

Challenge 4: Impulsivity

Acting on impulse without thinking through consequences is a common struggle for adults with ADHD. This can lead to impulsive spending, decisions, or saying things without considering the impact.

Challenge 5: Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness extends beyond misplacing keys; it can also involve forgetting important dates, commitments, or conversations, which can strain relationships and lead to missed opportunities.

Our brains have trouble focusing long enough to imprint memories properly. It’s like trying to take a picture with a shaky camera—moments slip away before they’re fully captured.

Challenge 6: Emotional Dysregulation

Adults with ADHD may experience intense mood swings, including periods of irritability, frustration, and difficulty managing emotions. These emotional fluctuations can impact relationships and personal well-being.

Challenge 7: Prioritisation Problems

Sorting through tasks and figuring out what needs immediate attention versus what can wait can be challenging. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed by a constant influx of tasks and responsibilities.

Challenge 8: Difficulty in Listening

Adults with ADHD might struggle to listen attentively during conversations or meetings, leading to misunderstandings. Following multi-step instructions can also be a challenge.

Challenge 9: Disorganisation & Clutter

Physical spaces like homes or workspaces can become cluttered and disorganized, making it harder to find things and maintain a productive environment.

Challenge 10: Relationship Struggles

Adults with ADHD might have difficulties maintaining close relationships due to challenges in communication, impulsivity, and forgetfulness.

Challenge 11: Employment Challenges

Adults with ADHD might experience difficulties in maintaining steady employment due to issues with time management, focus, and task completion.

Challenge 12: Financial Fiasco

Impulsivity can extend to poor financial decisions, leading to overspending and financial instability.

Challenge 13: Academic Anarchy & Vocational Void

Despite having potential, individuals with ADHD may struggle to perform at their best academically or in their careers due to challenges in focus and organisation.

 

“It’s important to remember that the 13 life challenges listed above can vary widely based on where you are on the ADHD spectrum, your environment, and your personal coping strategies. With proper understanding and support, all 13 of these adult ADHD life challenges can be managed effectively, allowing you to cope. Coping may not sound sexy, but if you have symptoms of Adult ADHD, you’ll know that being able to cope more effectively with everyday life would be amazing.”

This diary entry is a coping strategy for my Adult ADHD.

If you’ve made it this far, you either haven’t got Adult ADHD, or something else hasn’t distracted you yet. Bravo! Though, I’m not going to push my luck. It’s time to wrap this diary entry up.

Namaste (my soul high-fives your soul),
George Watts

P.S. Dear Diary, thanks for letting me write in you. And dear reader, thanks for reading.