Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
People with ADHD often suffer from the same symptoms into adulthood. But they may look slightly different due to the fact that adult life is filled with working and other activities. Adults who suffer from ADHD may have a condition known as hyperfocus that causes them to become too focused on one thing that their attention is diverted from others.
Adults who are not treated for ADHD can have wide-reaching problems. Finding a diagnosis and a treatment can bring relief and optimism.
Inattention
It takes time for many people with inattentive ADHD to complete their tasks. They are often late for appointments or arrive late for meetings. They forget to send birthday cards or return phone calls, or pay bills. Their forgetfulness can cause financial problems, work problems and tensions in family relationships. They may also make mistakes that could have legal consequences such as speeding tickets or missing deadlines.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include poor organization, trouble concentrating and forgetfulness. They often make careless mistakes and are unable to follow instructions. They are often distracted by other thoughts or by something interesting. People with inattention ADHD are unable to focus on things that don't interest them and can get bored quickly with monotonous or repetitive activities. They might also have trouble understanding social boundaries for situations and are more likely to interfere with others' conversations, games or activities.
Adults with inattentive ADHD can experience mild, moderate or even severe symptoms. To qualify for a diagnosis, one must have experienced at least six inattentive ADHD symptoms before the age of 12 and these symptoms should continue to hinder his or her life as an adult.
People with mild inattention ADHD can still find it difficult to manage their obligations especially when those responsibilities are at home or at work. They may also experience difficulty maintaining a healthy diet or exercising regularly. They may also struggle with depression or anxiety. They are more likely to develop disorders of substance abuse.
Those who have moderate inattentive ADHD symptoms may not be able to stay organized at work or at school, and may have difficulties maintaining relationships with their coworkers as well as family members and friends. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults may also have difficulty to manage the emotional effects that come from being disorganized and not planning ahead.
Some individuals who have inattentive ADHD have a combined type, which includes both hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention symptoms. The people who suffer from this form are often more impulsive and agitated than those with only inattentive ADHD. They also have trouble keeping track of their belongings, making decisions and accomplishing tasks. They often feel that they have no control over their actions or behaviour, which can cause frustration and hopelessness.
Hyperactivity
People suffering from ADHD might appear to be always on the move all the time. They struggle to wait for their turn in conversations or playing games. They can shout out answers before other players have finished asking questions, and they often interrupt other players. Even when they are not physically active, people suffering from ADHD are unable to sit still. They may fidget, pace or wiggle their legs. People with ADHD are easily distracted and are prone to forgetting things more frequently than other people. For instance they might not remember where they keep their keys, or important dates. These lapses of memory can cause relationship miscommunications. Additionally, they may be unable to concentrate on the present and get so caught up in a particular thing that they completely miss out on other activities going on around them. This is known as hyperfocus according to a research review.
If you're aware of your symptoms and seek professional assistance it is possible to get a valid adult ADHD diagnosis. A health professional or mental health professional will utilize standardized ADHD symptom checklists as well as questionnaires and interviews to look for indications of the disorder. They will also consider the person's mood, medical history, and current or previous issues at work or school.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD requires that the individual has at minimum six ongoing symptoms that affect their functioning in two or more situations such as school, home or at work. These symptoms must cause severe distress and impairment in a person's life.
Adults with ADHD might be hesitant to admit they are struggling, but a proper diagnosis will assist them in finding solutions. There are treatments available to help reduce symptoms of ADHD in adults and improve their performance in everyday life at work as well as at home. It's also a good idea to join an ADHD peer support group. This can offer a forum for discussing the challenges and successes of others in the community who have the same problem.
A mental health healthcare professional or health care provider will assess the symptoms of a patient and may solicit reports from colleagues, teachers, relatives and even friends. They will also look at the person's mood, medical history, health conditions, as well as social problems.
Impulsivity
Being unable to control your impulses is among the core symptoms of ADHD in adults. Impulsivity is more than just a lack of inhibition or a tendency to answer questions before they are asked. It's also an inability to recognize when you are engaging in an activity that could have negative effects on yourself and others. Adults who are prone to impulsivity often have difficulty maintaining a job or navigating relationships, and it could result in financial problems due to late payments, late fees or the debt that is triggered by impulse purchases.
It is also common for people with ADHD to struggle with managing their emotions, especially when they are dealing with stress and anxiety. This can result in self-destructive behavior like excessive eating or drinking, which can affect mood and physical health. This can result in low self-esteem and a sense of shame. People with ADHD are also prone to having difficulty understanding social boundaries. This can cause them to interrupt others, be disruptive or engage in reckless behaviors that put themselves and others in danger.
The way symptoms of ADHD manifest can change with time. Hyperactivity is the most common symptom in children. However it decreases as they enter the middle school and the adolescent years. Inattention and impulsivity, however persist into adulthood.
While there are several ways to treat ADHD but it is crucial to seek a diagnosis from a mental health professional. A doctor will determine if the person is in compliance with the guidelines for clinical care in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will consider the age of a person and the duration of symptoms as well as the way they affect their daily lives.
There are many treatments available to adults with ADHD that include psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and medications. For example, getting adequate sleep by avoiding caffeine and sugar before bed and using tools such as planners and calendars can all help improve focus and organization. A doctor might prescribe a non-stimulant that takes longer to take effect but it can improve concentration and decreases impulsivity for those suffering from ADHD.
Social skills
People with ADHD often feel an awkwardness in social situations or find it difficult to connect with their peers. These issues can manifest at different ages and vary depending on the symptoms of the disorder, including 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, copying what they do, practicing, and getting feedback from your colleagues. Most people learn how to manage social situations in childhood. However, since people with ADHD tend to miss social cues, they may miss interpret body language, gestures, and facial expressions. This can lead to them being misinterpreted during social interactions. They might also appear bored in conversations or do not make any follow-up comments, which can be misinterpreted.
Adults with ADHD who are not treated may face issues at work, in school or even in their personal lives. They can be prone to procrastination, disorganization and forgetfulness that can cause difficulties in making deadlines or staying on a job due to missing documents, losing things or paying bills late. They may also be more susceptible to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression, which are common in untreated ADHD.
Adult ADHD is characterized by difficulty in concentrating. However there are a variety of other factors to consider. A thorough psychiatric evaluation is required to diagnose ADHD and to determine the best treatment plan for each patient.
A psychiatric assessment involves taking a patient's history and conducting physical examinations to check for other conditions that might be a cause of ADHD symptoms, such as thyroid issues, head trauma and drug use (Austerman 2015). A thorough evaluation can also involve reviewing the patient's performance and how it has changed over time. It may include interviews with family members, friends and colleagues to see how they've noticed symptoms of the disorder. This will help create an understanding of the effects of the disorder on the daily routine of a person and identify areas where improvements are needed. During the assessment an expert in mental health will recommend specific strategies to address these needs.