Choi Kanghee loses things often, does she have ADHD?

Actress Choi Kanghee has recently shared her quirky daily life, revealing that she often forgets things and misplaces items. In a recent post on her Instagram, she expressed her disappointment over not being able to upload a planned post. She explained that she had written a long review, but it disappeared due to an error during the upload process. Unfortunately, the post she intended to share was deleted while updating, so it never made it online.

Last week, Choi also mentioned losing her black wallet, asking her followers if anyone happened to find a small black wallet while out and about. Earlier this year, after appearing on the MBC show “Omniscient Interfering Viewpoint,” friends and acquaintances suggested she get tested for ADHD. During the show, she was seen looking for her belongings in various places, which prompted concerns about her forgetfulness. In fact, it was reported that she underwent psychological assessments, including art therapy, in May.

Frequent forgetfulness and loss may indicate adult ADHD...a growing trend in Korea

For those who often forget things and misplace items, adult ADHD might be a possibility to consider. Known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, this condition typically affects children and teenagers but can also be present in adults. In South Korea, the number of ADHD patients aged 20 and older has been on the rise. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of adult ADHD patients jumped from 7,748 in 2017 to 35,042 in 2022, reflecting a significant increase.

Adults with ADHD commonly exhibit severe forgetfulness and may struggle to plan and complete tasks. They often make mistakes by forgetting one or two things while managing multiple responsibilities, and they can easily lose items or forget important appointments. These challenges are often linked to issues with the brain's dopamine reward system, which can lead to decreased attention and increased distractibility.

Hoarding behaviors are also present...and can get worse if left unchecked.

Another symptom associated with adult ADHD is the tendency to compulsively hoard unnecessary items. Some individuals may find it difficult to throw things away, leading to a condition known as obsessive-compulsive disorder. A study from Anglia Ruskin University found that 19% of adult ADHD patients displayed severe hoarding behaviors, while 81% showed milder tendencies to collect unneeded items.

However, adult ADHD can be less noticeable than in children or teenagers, making it more difficult to diagnose. If left untreated, it can lead to worsening difficulties in daily life, so it’s essential to recognize the symptoms and seek appropriate treatment. Treatment options may include medications that help increase dopamine levels, as well as therapies like art therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, which focus on improving time management and enhancing memory and attention.

Individuals who frequently experience symptoms such as leaving difficult tasks unfinished, struggling to follow a sequence when organization is needed, forgetting important appointments, avoiding challenging tasks, fidgeting when seated for long periods, or appearing overly active may want to consider the possibility of adult ADHD.