"I thought I was just lazy until now... It turns out I have Adult ADHD"

ADHD in Adults with 4% Prevalence
Severe Symptoms Like Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity
Significant Functional Decline in Work-Centered Adult Life
May Cause Depression and Anxiety Due to Lowered Self-Esteem
Experts Say "Adult ADHD Can Be Overcome with Treatment"

Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), estimated to affect about 4% of the entire adult population, can cause significant difficulties in the workplace. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] #An Mo (27), a first-year employee at an advertising company, dreaded waking up every morning. Although it had been a year since he started working, he was habitually late and constantly made minor mistakes. Living in a state of constant tension left him perpetually tired and often struggling with concentration.

Struggling with frequent tardiness and lack of focus, An recently sought psychiatric counseling at a friend's recommendation. The consultation revealed that An is an adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) patient. He confessed, "I am surprised to learn that I am a patient, having lived without any minor illnesses. I always thought my personality was just lazy, but in fact, I was unwell."

Cases like An's, where young adults with ADHD face difficulties in organizational life, are increasingly coming forward to share their struggles. Approximately 4% of adults have ADHD, which poses risks of difficulties in daily life due to attention deficits and impulsivity. In severe cases, depression and anxiety disorders may also develop. Experts emphasize that adult ADHD can significantly disrupt daily life and stress the importance of proper treatment.

ADHD is a mental disorder characterized by severe symptoms such as distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is known to result from a deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for concentration and impulse control in the brain. While it primarily occurs in children and adolescents, recent international research indicates a prevalence rate of 4% among adults. It is estimated that about 820,000 people in South Korea alone suffer from this disorder.

Books detailing the difficulties experienced in daily life due to adult ADHD have been published and received positive responses. / Photo by Minumsa Publishing House, captured by Humanist

The main symptoms include △difficulty concentrating △excessive focus (to the extent of forgetting other important tasks) △difficulty regulating emotions △impulsivity. This includes being unable to sit still in one place and moving around, inability to focus on a single task, or conversely, becoming excessively absorbed in a specific task and forgetting everything else.

While relatively free childhood years may not cause significant discomfort, for adults engaged in organizational life and performance evaluations, these symptoms can be a critical cause of functional decline.

Recently, books documenting the struggles of adult ADHD patients have been published, resonating with young people. For example, "The Sorrows of Young ADHD" by writer Jung Ji-eum, published by Minumsa, vividly depicts the life of a working adult with ADHD and has attracted attention.

"Today, I Gave Myself the Name ADHD," published by clinical psychologist Shin Jisoo, criticizes the severe lack of information about female children and adult women with ADHD compared to male patients.

The main symptoms of ADHD are decreased concentration, difficulty regulating emotions, and impulsivity. / Photo by Yonhap News

Adult ADHD becomes problematic as severe symptoms can lead to depression and anxiety disorders. This is because individuals may attribute their decreased work performance to personal character flaws such as laziness or lack of perseverance, resulting in lowered self-esteem.

According to a study conducted last year by Professor Esme Fuller-Thompson's social work research team at the University of Toronto, which surveyed 21,744 adult men and women including ADHD patients, adults with ADHD were found to be five times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Female ADHD patients, in particular, showed a much higher risk than male patients.

Experts emphasize the importance of receiving treatment at medical institutions, given that adult ADHD can significantly interfere with daily life.

Jung Yusook, director of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, stated, "ADHD symptoms can persist from onset into adulthood. Without proper treatment, adults may experience difficulties in daily life and even social losses."

She added, "ADHD is a condition that can be sufficiently overcome with proper treatment. It is important to establish measures and education to ensure patients do not miss the opportunity to receive treatment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.