Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, can't seem to get your work done and are easily distracted, you could be suffering from symptoms of ADHD that cause stress in your life.
The symptoms of adult ADHD vary from mild to severe. They can cause impairments in multiple settings, including at home, school, and work.
1. Problems with Focusing
Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to focus and have difficulty sitting still. These symptoms can affect both children and adults alike, and may have a negative effects on the daily routine of a person at school, work, and home.
It can be difficult when you have difficulty focusing particularly when it's a chronic issue. It can also lead to low self-esteem and feelings of being in a state of despair and failure. It can also lead to health issues, like missed doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medication and drinking or eating too much fast food. It can also cause financial problems, such as late payments of bills or an increase in the number of overdrafts because of impulse purchases.
Hyperfocus is a term used to describe the ability of those with ADHD to concentrate on things they find interesting. This is a great benefit in certain situations, but it can be difficult to manage when you are doing everyday chores such as paying bills, buying groceries or preparing documents.
People with ADHD are also impulsive and easily distracted by text messages, calls as well as social media, television, and music. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks at school or at work and can impact their relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
To determine if someone is suffering from ADHD, the health care provider will ask about their childhood behaviors and school experiences. If they can, they will interview the person and their parents to collect more details. They will use standardized behaviour rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to determine the way that an adult's symptoms impact their life. They also conduct psychological tests as well as physical examinations that will help determine if there are medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
2. Ignoring Specifics
People suffering from ADHD are prone to become so caught up in their work that they fail to notice the people around them. They might also forget important details, or not follow up on an interaction, which could cause them to misunderstand relationships. They tend to make decisions in a hurry without thinking about the consequences. This can be a result of aggressive behavior, such as throwing and hitting objects, or failing to study for tests.
It's not enough for an expert in mental health to diagnose adult ADHD simply by stating that the symptoms are evident in multiple settings and they are affecting work, school or social activities. To be able to identify ADHD in adults it is necessary to meet the criteria set out in 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 least six months and must affect the person's performance in a variety of situations. A healthcare professional may request the person's spouse or a relative of them for a medical history.
The symptoms of predominately inattentive ADHD are more frequent and can be summarized as difficulty paying attention, trouble keeping track of tasks, forgetting details and losing 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 may be able cope better by recognizing and adapting their environment, habits and lifestyle to compensate for their issues. They can also seek assistance from a medical professional and work to improve their social abilities. Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to access numerous resources to help them build and maintain strong friendships, such as a peer support group.
3. Losing Things
Many people who have ADHD struggle to find things, particularly cellphones, keys, wallets and wallets. They also tend not to locate papers or other items needed for work or school. This can be extremely frustrating.
The loss of things is a common occurrence in adults with ADHD. This is because the disorder affects the way the brain processes information. This means that the working memory that lets you juggle new information with older, previously stored information is weakened. It's easy to lose track of what you just heard, how to follow a recipe, or the grocery list when this happens.
Some people with ADHD are also having trouble staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can lead to poor performance reviews, strained relationships with colleagues and financial difficulties due to missed payments or excessive spending. It may be helpful to explore a variety of options to manage symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication.
Some experts believe dietary changes particularly those that contain high protein foods, can help reduce ADHD symptoms. It is also essential to avoid sweet drinks and foods since they can cause mood swings and make it more difficult to stay on task. Meditation or mindfulness techniques can be effective in improving focus. These approaches have not been proven to work in treating ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
Often people with ADHD forget things they have to complete. They may miss appointments, fail to pick up food items, or leave the house without their keys. This can have a significant impact on their daily lives and relationships. People in their lives may believe that the person isn't well-organized or uncaring. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty staying focused or following directions in work and at school, which could cause missed deadlines or mistakes.
If you suspect that you have ADHD, it's worth talking to your GP about a referral to an health professional who performs evaluations for adults with ADHD. ADHD symptoms in adult men will look at factors like your mood and medical history as well as whether you have other problems that can cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD like anxiety or addiction to substances.
To meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must prove that their ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of their lives, such as school, work, and family, and that the problems cannot be explained by other conditions like depression or anxiety. A provider will examine the person's behavior in the past, talk about their problems with them and observe their work. They may also ask their loved ones for feedback.
For adults diagnosed with adult ADHD can provide relief and hope. It can help people realize that they aren't an insignificant or bad person. It can also teach people strategies to manage ADHD including learning to prioritize their tasks and stay organized. This can help them achieve their goals and make positive changes to their lives, as well being able to build a stronger support system.
5. Inattentiveness
While hyperactivity isn't a symptom of inattentive ADHD adults suffering from this kind of disorder may experience inability to focus and difficulty staying focused. They may find it difficult to complete their college assignments or remain attentive during business meetings. They may be unintentionally negligent at home or forget the bills. They may lose their jobs or fail to meet deadlines, which could throw their lives off course. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also cause issues with family relationships.
Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD have suffered for a long time before being diagnosed. They may be branded unreliable or lazy by their friends and coworkers. They might feel overwhelmed by their procrastination, disorganization and impulsiveness. Their failure to complete tasks on time and their frequent errors might result in financial issues, work problems or even legal troubles.
In order to be granted an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, a healthcare provider must confirm that the symptoms started before the age of 12. They must also confirm that the disorder can cause impairment in two major situations (like school and work). The impairment could include not attending important meetings at work and not paying the bills on time or struggling with college, failing to complete chores or tasks around the house and then racking up debt due to impulse purchases.
During an ADHD assessment, a health professional will look over the medical history of a patient and perform other tests, like hearing tests or eye exams to rule out physical issues. The health care professional could also interview the patient about the symptoms, lifestyle, as well as family and work. They will also look for evidence that suggests symptoms have been present from childhood, such as old report cards or conversations with family members.