Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, cannot find the time to get work done, and are easily distracted, you might be experiencing symptoms of ADHD that are causing stress in your life.
The symptoms of adult ADHD can range from mild to severe. They can result in impairment in one or more 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 adults and children alike, and can have an adverse impact on the daily routine of a person at work, school, and home.
Finding it difficult to focus can be frustrating, especially because it's a persistent issue and can cause feelings of self-doubt and despair and feeling of failure. It can also cause health problems, such as missing doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medications, and drinking or eating too much fast food. It can also lead to financial issues, like the late payment of bills or an increase in the number of overdrafts due to impulse purchases.
Hyperfocus is a term used to describe the ability of people suffering from ADHD to concentrate on things they find interesting. ADHD in adult men symptoms can be helpful in certain situations, but it's harder to cope with everyday chores and responsibilities like paying bills, buying groceries, or filing documents at work.
People suffering from ADHD are also impulsive and easily distracted by text messages, calls, social media, television and music. This can make it difficult to finish tasks at school or at work, and can affect their relationships with their family, friends and colleagues.
To determine if a person is suffering from ADHD, the health care professional will inquire about their childhood behavior and school experiences. If possible, they'll interview the patient and their parents to gather more information. They will use ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavior ratings scales to assess how the symptoms affect an adult's life. They will also conduct physical and psychological tests that can help determine if medical conditions are causing similar symptoms.
2. Inattention to Specifics
People suffering from ADHD can become distracted by their activity that they are unable to pay attention to the people around them. They may also forget to follow up on conversations or miss important details which can lead to relationships that are not working. They are prone to make decisions quickly without considering the consequences. This can include aggressive behavior, like hitting and throwing things, or failing to study for exams.
A mental health professional cannot diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that symptoms are present in various settings and interfering with school, work, or social activities. To be able to identify ADHD in adults, they must satisfy the criteria laid out 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 number of settings. A healthcare professional can inquire about the person's partner or a person close to them for a medical history.
A predominately inattentional ADHD is more prevalent. The symptoms include difficulty paying attention, 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 can learn to cope by identifying the specific issues they face and adapting their environment and habits to compensate for their specific challenges. They can also seek help from a health professional and work to improve their social abilities. There are numerous resources available for adults with ADHD to build and maintain relationships, including peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people with ADHD have trouble finding things, especially keys, wallets, and phones. They also tend to misplace papers and other items needed for work or school. This can be very frustrating.
Losing things is a typical experience for adults suffering from ADHD. This is due to the fact that the disorder alters the way that the brain processes information. This means that the working memory that helps you manage new information and older, previously stored information is weakened. It's easy to lose the track of what you've have just heard, how to follow a recipe or the grocery list, when this happens.
A few adults suffering from ADHD are also having trouble staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can lead to poor performance reviews, tensions in relationships with coworkers, and financial difficulties due to missed payments or excessive spending. It may be helpful to explore a variety of options for managing symptoms, including therapy and medication.
Certain experts believe that dietary changes particularly those that contain high-protein foods, can reduce ADHD symptoms. It is also essential to avoid beverages and foods that are high in sugar because they can cause mood swings and make it more difficult to stay on task. Meditation or mindfulness techniques can be effective in boosting concentration. These techniques haven't been proven to be effective in treating ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People with ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They may forget appointments, fail to pick up groceries, or leave without their keys. This can have a significant impact on their daily lives and their relationships. People around them may believe that the person is not organised or sloppy. People who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may also have difficulty paying attention or following directions at work and school and can result in delays in deadlines and errors.
If you suspect you may have ADHD then you should speak to your GP to request an appointment with a specialist of health care who can evaluate adults with ADHD. A professional will look at factors such as your mood, medical background and if you suffer from any other problems that may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD like stress or substance abuse.
To meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they must demonstrate that their ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment in at least two areas of their lives--like school, work or family. They must also prove that their problems are not better than other conditions, such as depression or anxiety. A doctor will look into the behavior of a person in the past, discuss their problems with them and watch their work. They may also ask for feedback from their family members.
For adults diagnosed with adult ADHD can provide relief and hope. It can help people understand that they're not a bad person or an utter failure, and can teach them ways to manage their ADHD, like learning how to prioritize tasks and remain organized. This can help them reach their goals to make positive changes in life, and build a stronger network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
Although hyperactivity isn't a sign of inattentive ADHD adults suffering from this type of disorder may have inability to focus and difficulty staying focused. They might find it difficult to complete their college assignments or attend business meetings. They may be unintentionally negligent at home or forget the bills. They could lose their jobs and fail to meet deadlines, which could cause their lives to be off track. Inattentional ADHD can also cause problems in family relationships.
Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD suffer for years before they are diagnosed. They could be labeled irresponsible or lazy by colleagues and friends. They might feel overwhelmed by their procrastination, lack of organization and indecisiveness. Inability to finish tasks on time and make frequent mistakes could lead to problems with finances, work or even legal problems.
In order to be granted an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, a healthcare provider must confirm that the symptoms started prior to the age of 12 years old. The doctor must also determine that the disorder causes impairment in two key contexts (like work and school). Impairment can be caused by missing important meetings at work or not paying bills on time, failing academically in college, not being able to finish chores or tasks at home and getting themselves into debt with excessive spending.
In an ADHD evaluation, a health care professional will review the medical history of a patient and perform other tests, such as hearing tests or eye exams to rule out physical issues. The health care professional may interview the patient regarding the symptoms, lifestyle, as well as family and work. He or she might also request old reports and family conversations to determine if symptoms have been present since childhood.