Examples of adult behaviours that may be the result of poor ADHD impulse control.
A tendency to engage in risky behaviour: Do you find yourself repeatedly pursuing risky or self-destructive activities? If you seem to constantly put yourself in unhelpful and potentially dangerous situations, you may be experiencing ADHD-related impulses.
Continuously being side-tracked: The distractibility that often comes with ADHD is well-documented. Perhaps you find it impossible to focus on one task for any length of time without jumping up to grab a snack, fidgeting with a pencil, or simply gazing out the window.
Repeatedly interrupting others: Whether at home or work, constantly cutting in or talking over other people can lead to problems with relationships. But what some may see as flat-out rudeness may be rooted in ADHD impulsivity.
A propensity to spend, spend, spend: We all make impulse purchases once in a while. But if you can’t seem to hold onto your money without shelling out on the next thing to grab your attention, it can have serious financial consequences.
Frustration at having to wait: Does waiting in traffic irritate you disproportionately? Do you find yourself getting angry at the prospect of queuing up? Perhaps you get annoyed when someone is speaking and they won’t just cut to the chase? These are all potential indicators of impulsivity.
