Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from ADHD may have similar symptoms. But they may look slightly different as adulthood involves work and other activities. Adults with ADHD may have a condition known as hyperfocus which causes them to be so focused on a particular task that their attention is diverted from other people.
Adults with untreated ADHD can lead to a variety of issues. Finding a diagnosis and a treatment can bring relief and optimism.
Inattention
For many people suffering from inattentive ADHD It takes a lot of time to finish their work. They frequently miss appointments or arrive late for meetings. They forget to send birthday wishes or return phone calls or pay bills. Their forgetfulness can cause problems with finances, work-related issues and tensions in family relationships. They may even commit mistakes that have legal consequences like speeding tickets or missing deadlines.
Inattentive ADHD is characterised by poor organization, forgetfulness and difficulty in concentrating. They make careless errors and are unable to follow instructions. They are also easily distracted by other thoughts or something interesting. People with inattention ADHD may have difficulty staying focused on tasks that don't interest them. They can also become bored quickly with routine or boring activities. They might also have trouble reading social boundaries, and tend to interfere with other people's conversations, games, or activities.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD can experience mild, moderate or even severe symptoms. To be considered a diagnosed person must have at minimum six inattentive ADHD signs before the age of 12 and the symptoms persist to hinder their life as adults.
Even those with mildly inattentive ADHD may find it difficult managing their obligations. This is especially true when they are at working or at home. ADHD in adults symptoms women may also have difficulty to maintain a healthy diet or exercise regularly. They might also be struggling with anxiety and depression. They are more at risk of developing substance abuse disorders.
Those with moderate inattentive ADHD might have trouble keeping their schedules in order at work or school and may have issues maintaining relationships. They may also have difficulty to deal with the emotional effects that come from being disorganized and not making plans for the future.
Some individuals who have inattentive ADHD have a combined type, which includes both hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention symptoms. People with this form are often more impulsive and agitated than other people with just inattentive ADHD. They also have difficulty keeping track of their belongings and making decisions, as well as finishing tasks. They often feel as if they have no control over their actions or behavior which can lead to frustration and hopelessness.
Hyperactivity
ADHD can make people seem like they are always on the move. They are often unable to wait for their turn in conversations, or when playing games. They may blurt out answers before others have finished asking questions, and they often interrupt others. Even when they are not physically active, people with ADHD are unable to sit still. They might be prone to flutter, pace or shake their legs. People with ADHD are easily distracted and tend to forget things more than other people. For example they might not remember where they keep their keys, or important dates. This can lead to relationship misunderstandings. They might be unable to concentrate on the present, and become so engrossed with a particular thing that they fail to look out on everything else going on around them. According to a review of the literature from 2018, this is called hyperfocus.
If you're aware of your symptoms and seek professional help, it is possible to receive a valid adult ADHD diagnosis. A mental health professional or health care provider will use standard ADHD symptom checklists and questionnaires to determine the indications of the disorder. They will also take into account a person's mood, medical history, and any current or previous issues at work or school.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD is when a person has at minimum six ongoing symptoms that interfere with their performance in two or more environments, including home and school or at work. These symptoms must cause significant distress and impairment to the life of the person.
Adults with ADHD may have a hard to admit that they're struggling, but getting a proper diagnosis is the first step to finding solutions. Treatments are available to help adults with ADHD reduce symptoms and improve their everyday functioning at work and home. It's also an excellent idea to join an ADHD peer support group, which can offer a forum for discussing challenges and successes with others in the community who suffer from the same condition.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will examine the symptoms of a patient and request reports from coworkers parents, teachers, relatives, and friends. They also will look at the person's mood as well as their medical history.
Impulsivity
One of the most common symptoms of ADHD is the difficulty in controlling impulses. It's not only a lack in inhibition or an inability to provide answers before being asked, but also an inability to discern when you are involved in an activity with potentially negative consequences for yourself and others. Adults who are impulsive often struggle to maintain relationships or sustaining a career. They may also struggle to maintain their job. Impulsivity can also cause financial problems due to late payments, fees, or debts that result from an impulsive purchases.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is especially true when they are stressed or are anxious. This can lead to a self-destructive behaviour, like eating too much or drinking too much alcohol, which in turn affects physical health and mood. This can lead to a low sense of self-worth and shame. People with ADHD also have difficulty discerning social boundaries that are specific to their situation. This can lead them to interfere on others regularly or engage in reckless behavior that could put others in danger.
The manner in which symptoms of ADHD manifest can change with time. Hyperactivity is the most prevalent symptom in children. However, this decreases as they enter the middle school and adolescents. Inattention and impulsivity, however persist into adulthood.
There are a variety of ways to manage ADHD but it is crucial to seek a diagnosis from a mental health professional. A doctor will determine whether the person is in compliance with the clinical guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will take into account the person's age, duration of their symptoms, and how they impact everyday functioning.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated in a variety ways, including therapy, lifestyle modifications, and medication. For instance, getting enough sleep, avoiding sugar and caffeine before bed, and using tools such as planners and calendars can all help improve focus and organization. A doctor might also prescribe a non-stimulant that takes longer to work but can still improve concentration and reduce the impulsivity of people with ADHD.
Social skills
People with ADHD often experience an awkwardness in social situations or are unable to connect with their peers. These issues can manifest at different ages and can vary according to the symptoms of the disorder, like inattention or impulsivity, says Kimberly Hurley, an occupational therapist who specializes in pediatric ADHD from Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Social skills can be developed by watching others by copying their actions by practicing, and gaining feedback from your peers. This typically starts in the early years of childhood, and is how most people learn to navigate social situations. However, because people with ADHD tend to be unable to recognize social cues, they may miss interpret the body language, gestures and facial expressions. This can lead to them being misunderstood in social interactions. In addition, they could appear disinterested or unable to follow up in conversations, and this can be misinterpreted as them being rude.
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD can struggle at school, at work or in their private lives. They may be susceptible to procrastination or disorganization, and forgetfulness that can cause problems with meeting deadlines or keeping jobs due to missing paperwork, losing items or paying bills late. They may also be more susceptible to emotional struggles such as anxiety and depression that are common in untreated ADHD.
The most obvious sign of adult ADHD is difficulty concentrating, but there are other indicators that should be taken into consideration. A thorough psychiatric assessment is required to diagnose ADHD and to determine the most effective treatment plan for each patient.
A psychiatric assessment involves taking a patient's history and undergoing a physical exam to assess for other conditions that might be a cause of ADHD symptoms, including thyroid problems, head trauma and use of drugs (Austerman, 2015). A thorough examination will also examine how a person is functioning at present and how that has changed over time. Interviews with family, friends and colleagues can be conducted to find out if they have noticed symptoms. This can help build a picture about the effects of the disorder on the daily activities of a person and highlight areas that need improvement. A mental health specialist will be able to suggest specific actions during the assessment.