Common signs of the condition include restlessness
If you bounce your leg, you’ve probably been made aware of it by the people you’re with, as they tell you you’re shaking the table or asking if you’re nervous. And if you are someone who does it, you’ve probably put it down to just a thing you do, but it could actually be a sign of an undiagnosed condition.
Psychiatrist, Ahmed Hankir, who is known as @proahmedhankir on social media, has taken to TikTok to talk about this common habit – and what it means, and it could be ADHD. An estimated 2.25 million Brits have undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – aka ADHD – and this could lead to various challenges for them in their daily lives.
Not only this but studies suggest around 25% of adults suspect they have this condition but a very small percentage of those actually seek professional evaluation. ADHD UK reports “people with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that interferes with day-to-day functioning and/or development”.
Ahmed said: “ADHD isn’t just a childhood condition – and in adults, the symptoms can be a lot more subtle. Clinically, ADHD is grouped into three core symptom clusters inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.”, reports the Mirror.
Breaking down the “five real signs you might notice in adulthood”, he said: “Sign one – restlessness or difficulty relaxing (hyperactivity). You might feel constantly on edge or like you can’t switch off – even when sitting still.”
And this is where the leg bouncing comes in, with the expert explaining that it could be to help you adjust. He notes “your leg’s bouncing, your mind’s racing, and relaxation feels impossible.”
For sign two, he spoke about a compulsion to interrupt others or finish their sentences – classifying this as impulsivity. He further explained: “It’s not that you’re rude – you just blurt things out before thinking, or cut people off without meaning to. You realise it afterwards, but in the moment it feels automatic.”
For the third sign, he suggests that individuals with ADHD tend to make hasty decisions, which he refers to as impulsivity. “You might suddenly change jobs, book a trip, or make a huge purchase without fully thinking it through. Later, you’re left wondering, ‘Why the hell did I do that?'”.
He continued: “Sign four – difficulty paying close attention to details (Inattention). You miss things – important things – like appointments, deadlines and meetings. Forms? Emails? They become a blur. It’s mentally exhausting.”
Lastly, he indicates that the fifth sign to be aware of is frequently starting tasks but not finishing them, stating this demonstrates both inattention and impulsivity. He concluded: “You start one task, then jump to another, and another… and end up with five open tabs and nothing finished. It’s not laziness – it’s how your brain processes attention and motivation.
“Just because you relate to some of these doesn’t mean you have ADHD. But if they’re persistent and impact your daily life, it’s worth speaking to a mental health professional for a formal assessment.”
If you suspect you have ADHD, visit your GP for an assessment. ADHD UK have put together an at-home test and you can share the results with your GP.
Source link
