Adult Male ADHD Symptoms
Men can mask ADHD symptoms. This can make it hard to identify and treat ADHD.
While children exhibit the more obvious symptoms of hyperactivity, adults display it in subtle ways. It is difficult to sit through movies and meetings, fidgeting in your seat and biting your nails or a constant desire to take on new hobbies could all be signs of adult male ADHD symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
It is possible to forget important information about work-related events or meetings when you suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may find it difficult to stay organized and leave projects unfinished. You may also find it difficult to follow instructions and complete tasks. These issues could cause difficulties in every aspect of your life.
You may also find it difficult to maintain focus during conversations. You might be imagining scenarios or thinking about hobbies or replaying content from social media in your mind while you should be listening to another person. This could cause issues in your relationships, and could make you feel as if people believe you're not paying attention.
Your issues with time management are a common symptom of adult male ADHD. You may procrastinate or miss appointments. You may also misunderstand the time required to complete a task. You might even lose things needed for activities and tasks, such as keys or wallet.
It's important to remember that not everyone with ADHD has impulsivity or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, and those who only have inattentive ADHD symptoms don't necessarily act like children. People with mostly inattentive ADHD usually have excellent communication skills, natural creativity and a propensity to see opportunities that others may not see.
Talk to your GP when you suspect that you have adult ADHD. They can direct you to the most appropriate treatment for you, which could include Community Mental Health Services or specialised Neurodevelopmental Services. It is crucial to be diagnosed, as If you don't acknowledge and address your issues they may worsen over time. It's important to note that some people are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression when the real cause of their problems is ADHD.
2. Interjections
Adults with ADHD have poor listening skills. This can cause confusion. They might also miss deadlines if they do not understand the time it takes to complete an assignment or if they are distracted by other things. People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or ADHD that is poorly managed often have problems with their friends or partners. They may be viewed as undependable, nagging or untrustworthy. Their inability to fulfill commitments can cause tension and conflict.
Those with ADHD are usually at risk of introducing themselves into conversations without even realizing it. These words and phrases, such as "oh my," or "yippee!" can add an air of spontaneity to your speech, but they are also an indication that you may not be able to hold a conversation for long. You may be tempted to interrupt if you're feeling overwhelmed by emotions or are unable to remember what you've already said.
Interjections are often referred to as onomatopoeia since they mimic the sound of the emotion they are expressing. However unlike the other eight components of speech (nouns verbs, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and prefixes) interjections don't have any grammatical relation to the words around them.
People suffering from ADHD are usually incapable of recognizing social boundaries in a given situation and will often interrupt or intrude. This can be disruptive in work environments and can result in missing opportunities to make the most of. You could also appear rude to others, and some people will be hesitant to believe that you are serious. Adults with ADHD might also be more likely to abuse substances and can affect their health.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical ADHD sign that can lead to problems at work and in relationships. Adults suffering from ADHD can have difficulty keeping track of appointments, recollecting social obligations, keeping up with chores, or paying bills on time. This can cause frustration and lower self-esteem. According to the National Institute of Mental Health people who suffer from untreated ADHD have a higher chance of having marital problems and losing their job.
Often people suffering from ADHD will use their impulsivity to cover up their poor organizational skills. ADHD symptoms in adult men may, for example be more likely than other people to take notes in a meeting or write down reminders on post-it notes. They might also fidget or tap their feet, doodling or gnashing their nails to distract themselves from the pressure of a task. This type of behavior may also cause anxiety as the person's brain replays worries.
Many adults with untreated ADHD do not realize that their symptoms are due to an illness of the brain. Genetics and environment, including specific problems with the central nervous system at key developmental moments could increase the risk of developing ADHD.
If diagnosed with ADHD Adults can improve their productivity at school and work as well as their relationships with their family and friends. Treatment options include behavioral coaching, individual and group therapy, peer support groups and medication.
If you suspect that someone you love has ADHD and you suspect that they do, you should find out more about it and speak with a health care professional. It is important to educate yourself about the disorder and giving your loved one access to resources may help. Some adult ADHD peer support groups have separate groups for partners and spouses.
4. Impulsivity
Impulse control is a significant problem for many people with ADHD. They may blurt out words and behaviors on a sudden whim, causing embarrassment and damage in professional and personal settings. They can also cause strain to relationships and risk negative consequences in the near future.
Impulsiveness can take many forms in an adult with ADHD, from physically acting without inhibition to non-physical impulsive actions or thoughts. These impulsive behaviors, also known as emotional disorders, can be much more harmful than they appear if the person experiencing them doesn't understand them.
The most obvious sign of impulsiveness in adults with ADHD is that they react quickly to stimuli. For example, they may reply to a text or email before the other person has finished speaking. They might be unable to wait their turn when speaking with others. In addition certain events or foods could trigger their urges. These triggers can result in a flood of brain dopamine, making it hard for people with ADHD not to react to impulses.
Untreated impulsivity can cause regret and guilt in the long run. It can result in missing deadlines at work, disappointing friends and strained relationships. Impulsive comments and actions may even damage the self-esteem of a few people.
In these circumstances that a diagnosis of ADHD can be a source of relief for those who are suffering from it. However it can be very frustrating to those around you when you're misunderstood or unfairly judged because of the signs that they display. For instance, they might feel that they're being labelled inactive or unmotivated to take care of their problems when they're due to ADHD. They may be disappointed they weren't earlier referred to the right health care provider to conduct an assessment.
5. Poor Time Management
People suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty making plans ahead. They might have trouble meeting deadlines, underestimate how long it takes to complete a task, or procrastinate until the last moment. This could lead to being unable to take advantage of opportunities, having a hard maintaining a job and committing financial errors. This can also affect their physical health, as they may miss appointments, not take medication, or have difficulty following the diet and fitness regimens.
While hyperactivity is a prominent characteristic of ADHD in children, many adults with the disorder do not display it. This symptom is often characterized by restlessness, inability to focus, fidgeting or a sense of disorder.
It isn't easy for men to keep track of and follow-through on their plans. This can lead to people being late for meetings and social events or ignoring deadlines. It can also cause frustration in relationships, as it can leave partners feeling like they're walking on eggshells.
Men with ADHD are often enthusiastic about their ideas, which can lead them to start new projects, but not finish them. They also have a difficult time stay focused and will frequently start a project, then stop it and move on to the next task on their list.
It is important to recognise these signs and seek help when you suspect they're impacting your life. You can do this by taking an online ADHD test for adults (click here to take it) or by scheduling an appointment via video with one of our clinicians at Circle Medical, who can diagnose and prescribe ADHD medication online.