Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
People with ADHD usually suffer from the same symptoms into adulthood. But they may look slightly different because adult life involves work and other activities. For instance, people with ADHD might have a condition called hyperfocus which causes them to become so engrossed in an activity that they do not pay attention to other people.
Untreated adult ADHD can have wide-reaching problems. Getting a diagnosis and treatment can provide relief and hope.
Inattention
For many people with inattentive ADHD, it takes time to get their work done. They are often late for appointments or arrive late to meetings. They forget to send birthday wishes, return phone calls, or pay bills. This can lead to problems with finances, work-related issues and stress on family relationships. They could also make mistakes with legal consequences like speeding tickets and missed deadlines.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include poor organization, difficulty concentration and forgetfulness. They often make careless mistakes and have trouble following instructions. They are easily distracted by other thoughts, or by something interesting. People with inattention ADHD struggle to stay focused on things that do not interest them, and they can become quickly bored with monotonous or repetitive tasks. They might also have trouble reading social boundaries, and are prone to disrupt other people's conversations, games or activities.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms. To be diagnosed, what are the symptoms for ADHD in adults must show at minimum six inattentive ADHD signs by the age 12 and have symptoms that persist to hinder their life as adults.
Even people with mild inattentive ADHD may find it difficult managing their responsibilities. This is especially the case when they are at working or at home. They may also experience difficulty keeping a healthy lifestyle or exercising regularly. They may also struggle with depression and anxiety. They are more likely to develop addiction disorders.
People with moderately inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying organized at work or school and may have issues maintaining relationships. They may also have difficulty managing the emotional impact of being chaotic and struggling to plan ahead.
Some individuals who have inattentive ADHD have a combined type, which includes both hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention symptoms. This form is often more impulsive and restless than people with inattentive ADHD. They also have trouble keeping track of their possessions as well as making decisions and accomplishing tasks. They often feel that they have no control over their actions or behavior and can lead to anger and despair.
Hyperactivity
People suffering from ADHD may seem to be on the go all the all the time. They aren't able to wait for their turn in conversations or games. They might shout out answers before other players have had time to ask questions, and they are often disruptive to other players. Even when they're physically active, those with ADHD are unable to sit still. They may pace, fidget or shake their legs. People with ADHD are easily distracted and can forget things more frequently than others. For example they might forget where they keep their keys, or important dates. These forgetfulnesses may cause relationship miscommunications. They may also find it hard to pay attention to the present and get so caught up with something that they miss out on all that is going on around them. According to a study from 2018this is known as hyperfocus.
If you recognize your symptoms and seek help from a professional, it is possible to get a valid adult ADHD diagnosis. A health professional or mental health professional will employ standard ADHD symptom checklists as well as questionnaires and interviews to look for symptoms of the disorder. They will also take into consideration the person's mood as well as their medical history as in addition to any previous or current problems at work or school.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD requires that the person has at least six ongoing symptoms which interfere with their performance in two or more environments such as school, home or work. These symptoms must cause significant distress and impairment in the lives of a person.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be hesitant to admit they're struggling, but an accurate diagnosis can assist them in finding solutions. There are treatments available to aid in reducing the symptoms of ADHD in adults and improve their performance in everyday life, both at work and at home. It's also a good idea to join an ADHD peer support group, which can provide an avenue for discussing difficulties and successes with others in the community with the same problem.
A health care provider or mental health professional will assess the person's symptoms and request reports from teachers, relatives or friends, as well as coworkers. They'll also take a look at the person's mood as well as their medical history.
Impulsivity
Having trouble controlling impulses is one of the primary symptoms of ADHD in adults. Impulsivity is not only a lack in inhibition or an inability to provide answers prior to being asked, but a failure to identify when you are involved in a task that could have negative consequences for yourself and others. Adults who are impulsive frequently have difficulty maintaining relationships or sustaining their career. They may also have difficulty to maintain a job. In addition, it can cause financial problems because of missed payments, fees, or debts caused by impulsive purchase.
Adults with ADHD often have difficulty managing their emotions. This is especially true when they are under stress or feel anxious. This can lead to a self-destructive behavior, such as eating excessively or overindulging in alcohol, which affects the physical health and mood. This can result in low self-esteem and feelings of shame. People with ADHD also have difficulty understanding situational social boundaries, which can lead them to interfere on others frequently or to engage in reckless behaviour that puts themselves or others in danger.
The symptoms of ADHD may change over time. For children, hyperactivity is often the most prominent symptoms, but this tends to diminish as they enter elementary school and in adolescence. However, inattention and impulsivity remain prominent throughout adulthood.
While there are several ways to treat ADHD however, it is essential to seek a diagnosis from an expert in mental health. A doctor will assess whether or not a person's condition is in line with the clinical guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will consider the age of the patient, the duration of their symptoms, and how they impact everyday functioning.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated in a variety of ways, including therapy, lifestyle modifications, and medication. For instance, getting enough sleep by avoiding caffeine and sugar before bed, and using tools such as calendars and planners, can all help improve concentration and organization. A doctor may prescribe a nonstimulant that takes longer to work but it can improve concentration and decreases impulsivity for individuals with ADHD.
Social skills
People with ADHD may be uncomfortable socially or find it hard to connect with others. These challenges can occur at various age groups, and can differ depending on the signs of ADHD, such as inattention, or impulsivity. Kimberly Hurley is an occupational therapist who specializes on pediatric ADHD in Scotch Plains in New Jersey.
Social skills can be learned by observing others, copying what they do, practicing, and getting feedback from your peers. Most people learn how to manage social situations in the early years of childhood. However, because people with ADHD tend to be unable to recognize social cues, they are prone to interpret body language, gestures and facial expressions. This can lead to them being misunderstood in social interactions. They may also appear disinterested in conversations, or not respond to questions which could be misinterpreted.
Adults with ADHD who are not treated may face issues at work, in school, or even in their personal life. They can be prone to procrastination or disorganization, and forgetfulness that could cause difficulties in keeping deadlines or a job due to missing documents, losing things or paying bills late. They may also be more vulnerable to emotional issues such as depression and anxiety, both of that are common in those with untreated ADHD (Austerman 2015).
The most evident sign of adult ADHD is trouble concentration, but there are other signs that need to be taken into consideration. A thorough psychiatric assessment is required to diagnose ADHD and to determine the most effective treatment plan for each individual.
A psychiatric assessment involves the patient's history and performing physical examinations to check for other conditions that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms, like thyroid issues, head trauma and use of drugs (Austerman 2015). A thorough evaluation can also involve looking at an individual's current functioning and how it has changed over time. It may include interviews with family members, friends and coworkers to see how they've noticed symptoms of the disorder. This will help to create an understanding of the effects of the disorder on the daily routine of a person and highlight areas where improvement are needed. A mental health professional can suggest specific actions during the assessment.