Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, unable to complete your work and easily distracted, you may have ADHD symptoms that are causing anxiety.
The symptoms of adult ADHD range from mild to severe. They can result in impairment in a variety of settings like at home, in school, and at work.
1. Trouble focusing
ADHD can cause problems to sit still and focus. These symptoms can affect children and adults alike, and can have negative effects on a person's day-to-day life at school, work, and home.
Focus issues can be difficult, especially because it's a persistent issue and can lead to feelings of self-doubt and hopelessness and being unsuccessful. It can also trigger health issues, like missed doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medications, and drinking or eating excessive amounts of fast food. It can also result in financial problems, such as late payments on bills or an increase in the number of overdrafts because of impulse purchases.
People with ADHD often find it difficult to remain focused but they might be able to concentrate intensely on the tasks that are important to them - something called hyperfocus. This can be beneficial in certain situations but it can be difficult to deal with daily chores and responsibilities such as paying bills, shopping for groceries or filing documents at work.
Additionally, people with ADHD are also prone to being impulsive and can easily get distracted by phone calls, text messages, social media, TV and music. This can make it difficult for them to finish tasks at school or at work. It also can impact their relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
To determine whether someone suffers from ADHD, their health care provider will inquire about their childhood behavior and their school experiences. If possible, they'll interview the patient and their parents to collect more information. They will use standardized behaviour rating scales and ADHD checklists for symptoms to determine the way that an adult's symptoms impact their lives. They will also conduct psychological and physical tests to rule out medical conditions causing similar symptoms.
2. Ignoring Specifics
People with ADHD are prone to become so caught up in their activities that they ignore those around them. They might forget to follow up on a conversation or overlook important details, which can lead to relationships that are not working. They also tend to make snap decisions without considering the consequences. This can be a result of aggressive behavior, for example, hitting and throwing things, or failing to study for exams.
A mental health professional can't diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that symptoms are evident in various settings and interfering with work, school, or social activities. To be able to identify ADHD in adults it is necessary to meet the criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This includes having five or more symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Symptoms must be noticeable for at minimum six months and affect the person's performance in a variety of settings. Most often, a healthcare professional will interview the person's life partner or someone close to them and request a medical history.
The symptoms of predominately inattentive ADHD are more prevalent and can be summed up as difficulty paying attention, trouble keeping track of tasks, ignoring particulars and loosing things. Those with this type of ADHD usually show these symptoms throughout their lives, but they are not as prominent as the symptoms of predominantly hyperactive/impulsive ADHD.
Adults with ADHD might be able to cope better by identifying and adapting their surroundings, habits and lifestyle to overcome their challenges. They can also seek help from a healthcare professional and work to improve their social skills. There are also many resources available for adults with ADHD to develop and maintain strong relationships, including peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble finding things, especially keys, wallets, and phones. They also tend to misplace papers and other items required for school or work. This can be very frustrating.
Losing things is a common phenomenon in people with ADHD. This is due to the fact that the disorder alters the way that the brain processes information. In the end, the working memory that helps you to manage new information alongside older, stored information is weakened. In this situation it's easy to forget what you've just heard, the steps in a recipe or that grocery list.
Additionally, some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying focused on work tasks and managing their finances. This can lead poor performance reviews, strained relationships with coworkers, as well as financial problems as a result of missed payments or excessive spending. It can be helpful to explore various options for managing symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication.
Some experts believe that diet changes can help reduce ADHD symptoms, especially when high-protein foods are incorporated. It's also important to cut out sweet drinks and foods, as these can cause mood shifts and make it difficult to stay on task. Meditation or mindfulness techniques can be effective in improving focus. However, these approaches haven't been scientifically confirmed to help with ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People with ADHD frequently forget to complete things. adult male ADHD symptoms may forget to attend appointments, not get groceries, or leave the house without their keys. This could have a huge impact on their everyday life and relationships. The people in their lives may see this as a lack of care or may think that the person isn't organized. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to have trouble staying focused or following directions in work and at school, which may cause missed deadlines or errors.
If you suspect that you have ADHD, it's worth talking to your GP about getting an appointment with an expert in health care who conducts assessments for adults with ADHD. A professional will examine factors such as your mood, medical history and whether you suffer from other issues that can cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD, such as stress or substance misuse.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, they must show that their ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment in at least two different areas of their lives--such as work, school and family--and that their problems are not more likely to be explained by other conditions, like depression or anxiety. A healthcare professional will review the behavior of a person in the past, discuss their concerns with them and observe them at work. They might also solicit the help of their loved ones for feedback.
Adult ADHD diagnosis can bring relief and hope to adults. It can help people understand that they're not a bad person or an insignificant person, and it can teach them ways to manage their ADHD such as learning to prioritize tasks and stay organized. This will help them reach their goals and make positive changes to their lives, as being able to build a stronger support system.
5. Inattentiveness
While hyperactivity isn't a symptom of inattention ADHD, adults with this type may struggle with low focus and difficulties staying on task. They might find it difficult to finish college assignments or attend business meetings. They may be unorganized at home or fail to pay their bills. They could lose their jobs and fail to meet deadlines, which could make their lives difficult. Inattentional ADHD can cause issues in relationships with family members.
Many people with inattentive ADHD have been suffering for years before being diagnosed. They may be branded irresponsible or lazy by friends and coworkers. Procrastination and disorganization can make them feel overwhelmed. Inability to finish tasks on time and their frequent errors might lead to financial problems or work-related issues, or even legal trouble.
A healthcare provider must confirm that the symptoms started before the age of 12. He or she must also determine if the disorder causes impairment in two key situations (like work and school). Impairment includes being absent from important meetings at work and not paying bills on time, struggling academically in college, failing to complete tasks or chores at home and putting themselves into debt with excessive spending.
During an ADHD assessment, a health care provider will review the medical history of the patient and conduct other tests like eye or hearing tests to rule out physical ailments. The health professional will also talk to the person about the symptoms, lifestyle and work and home life. They might also request old reports and conversations with relatives to determine if the symptoms have been present since childhood.