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 might 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 problems in more than one setting such as at school, home and at work.
1. Problems with Focusing
ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate and sit still. These are symptoms that are seen in adults as well as children, and can impact the way a person lives at home, at school and at work.
It can be frustrating when you have difficulty focusing and concentrating, particularly when it's a chronic issue. It can lead to low self-esteem as well as feelings of being in a state of despair and failure. It can also lead to health issues, like absence from doctor's appointments, or not taking prescribed medications, and eating or drinking too much fast food. It can also cause financial problems, such as late payments on bills or an increase in the number of overdrafts because of impulse purchases.
Hyperfocus is a term used to describe the ability of people with ADHD to concentrate on activities they find fascinating. This can be beneficial in certain situations, however it can be difficult to manage when you're performing everyday tasks like paying bills, buying groceries or preparing documents.
Additionally, people with ADHD are also prone to being indecisive and easily distracted by calls, text messages, television, social media and music. This can make it difficult to finish tasks at school or at work. It also can impact their relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
To determine if a person suffers from ADHD The health care professional will inquire about their childhood behavior and school experiences. They will then interview the individual and their parents, if it is possible to gather additional information. They will utilize ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavior ratings scales to assess how symptoms affect the lives of adults. They will also conduct psychological and physical tests to rule out medical conditions causing similar symptoms.
2. Inattention to Specifics
People suffering from ADHD are often distracted by their activity that they are unable to see the people around them. They might also fail to follow up on a conversation or miss important details which can result in relationships that are not working. They also tend to make snap decisions without thinking through the consequences. This could include aggressive behavior, for example, throwing objects and hitting them, or failing to study for tests.
A mental health professional cannot diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that symptoms are present in different settings and are interfering with school, work or social activities. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must meet the criteria outlined 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. The symptoms should be present for a minimum of six months and hinder the person's performance in different settings. Most often, a healthcare professional will interview the person's life partner or someone who is close to them and request a medical history.
Inattention-deficient ADHD is more prevalent. It is characterized by difficulties in paying attention, ignoring 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 suffering from ADHD might be able to cope better by identifying and adapting their environment, habits and lifestyle to overcome their issues. They can also seek advice from a health professional and work to improve their social abilities. Adults with ADHD can also find many sources to help them make and maintain friendships, including peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people with ADHD struggle to locate things, especially keys phones, wallets, or keys. They also find it difficult to find papers or other items that are needed to attend school or work. This can be frustrating.
The loss of things is a common experience for adults suffering from ADHD. This is due to the fact that the disorder alters the way the brain processes information. Working memory, which allows you manage old and new information is impaired. If this happens it's easy to forget what you've just heard, the steps of a recipe or that grocery list.
Additionally, some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying focused on their work and keeping their finances in check. This can lead to poor performance evaluations, strained relationships with coworkers and financial issues due to missed payments or over-spending. It may be helpful to look into a variety of options to manage symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication.
Some experts believe dietary changes particularly those that contain high-protein foods, can reduce ADHD symptoms. It's also important to cut out sweet drinks and foods since they can trigger mood shifts and make it difficult to stay on task. Meditation or mindfulness techniques are effective in improving concentration. However, these methods aren't scientifically confirmed to treat ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
Often, people with ADHD forget things they have to do. They may miss appointments, fail to get groceries, or leave home without their keys. This can have a major impact on their everyday life and relationships. People around them might perceive this as a lack in care or may think it's because the person isn't organized. People who don't have a diagnosis of ADHD may also have difficulty sustaining attention or following instructions at school and at work, leading to errors and missed deadlines.
If you think you might have ADHD, it's worth talking to your GP about getting an appointment with a health care provider who performs evaluations for adults suffering from ADHD. A professional will assess factors like your mood, medical history and whether you have any other issues that can cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD such as alcohol or stress.
In More Support to be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis they must prove that their ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two settings of their lives--such as work, school and family--and that their issues aren't better explained by other conditions, like depression or anxiety. A provider will examine the person's behavior in the past, discuss their issues with them, and watch them at work. They can also request feedback from their loved ones.
Adult ADHD diagnosis can bring relief and hope to adults. It can help people understand that they're not a failure or an insignificant person, and it can teach them ways to manage their ADHD, like learning how to organize their tasks and stay organized. This can help them achieve their goals and make positive changes in their life, as well as develop the foundation for a stronger support system.
5. Inattentiveness
While hyperactivity isn't a symptom of inattentive ADHD, adults with this type may struggle with poor focus and difficulty staying on task. They may have difficulty to focus in business meetings or complete college assignments. They might be impulsive at home or neglect to pay the bills. Their lives could be thrown off course because they fail to meet deadlines and by losing a job. Inattentional ADHD can cause problems in family relationships.
Many people with inattention ADHD struggle for years before they are diagnosed. They could be labeled unreliable or lazy by their friends and coworkers. Disorganization and procrastination can cause them to feel overwhelmed. Their inability to complete tasks on time and frequent mistakes can lead to financial issues, work problems or even legal problems.
In order to receive an inattentive ADHD diagnosis A healthcare professional must confirm that the symptoms started before the age of 12. They must also determine that the disorder is causing impairments in two major situations, like work and school. The impairment can include missing important meetings at the office or not paying bills on time and having difficulty with academics at college, not being able to complete chores or household chores and then racking up debt because of impulsive purchases.
During an ADHD assessment, a health care professional will go over the medical history of a patient and may also conduct other tests, such as eye exams or hearing tests, to rule out physical ailments. The health care professional could interview the patient regarding symptoms, lifestyle, work and family life. They might also request old reports and conversations with relatives to determine if symptoms were present since childhood.