Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, inability to finish your work, and easily distracted, then you might be suffering from ADHD symptoms that are causing you stress.
Symptoms of adult ADHD can vary from mild to severe. They can cause impairments in more than one setting such as at school, home and at work.
1. Trouble focusing
Many people suffering from ADHD find it hard to focus and have difficulty sitting still. These symptoms can affect children and adults alike, and can have an adverse impact on a person's day-to-day life at school, work, and home.
It can be a hassle to be unable to concentrate, especially when it's a chronic issue. It can lead to low self-esteem and feelings like being in a state of despair and failure. It can also trigger health problems, such as missed doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medications, and drinking or eating too much fast food. It can cause financial difficulties too, with the cost of paying bills in late or overdrafts slipping out of control due to impulsive spending.
People with ADHD often have trouble to remain focused but they might be able to concentrate intensely on tasks that interest them, a process known as hyperfocus. This can be useful in certain situations, however it is harder to manage when you're performing everyday chores such as paying bills, buying groceries or filing documents.
Additionally, people who suffer from ADHD can be very indecisive and easily distracted by phone calls, text messages or social media, TV and music. This can make it difficult for them to complete work at school or at work, and can affect their relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
In order to assess whether someone suffers from ADHD, their health care provider will inquire about their childhood behaviors and their school experiences. If possible, they'll interview the person and their parents to gather more details. They will use ADHD symptom checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior to determine how the symptoms affect the lives of adults. 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 are often so absorbed by an activity that they are unable to notice those around them. ADHD symptoms adults can also forget important details, or not follow up after an interaction, which could cause them to misunderstand relationships. They are prone to make decisions quickly without taking into account the consequences. This could include aggressive behavior, like throwing objects and hitting them or not studying for exams.
A mental health professional is unable to diagnose adult ADHD simply by observing that symptoms are evident in various settings and interfering with school, work or social activities. To be able to diagnose 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. The symptoms should be present for a minimum of six month and interfere with the person's performance in different settings. A healthcare professional may request the person's spouse or a relative of them for a medical record.
The symptoms of predominately inattentive ADHD are more frequent and can be summed up as a lack of focus to tasks, forgetting particulars and loosing 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 can cope by identifying their specific challenges, and adjusting their environment and routines to accommodate for them. They can also seek advice from a medical professional and take steps to improve their social abilities. Adults with ADHD are also able to access numerous sources to help them make and maintain friendships, such as a peer support group.
3. Losing Things
Many people with ADHD have trouble locating things, including cellphones, keys, wallets and wallets. They also have a tendency to lose papers and other items needed for work or school. This can be a hassle.
The main reason that losing things is common in adults with ADHD is that the disorder affects the way the brain processes information. Working memory, which allows you manage old and new information, is impaired. It's easy to lose track of what you just heard, how to follow a recipe, or even the grocery list if this happens.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have trouble staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can lead to poor performance reviews, tensions in relations with colleagues, and financial issues because of late payments or excessive spending. It is possible to consider a range of options to manage symptoms, including psychotherapy and medications.
Some experts believe that diet changes can help to reduce ADHD symptoms, particularly when high-protein food items are included. It's also important to cut out sweet drinks and foods, as these can trigger mood fluctuations and make it more difficult to concentrate. Engaging in mindfulness or meditation techniques can help improve your concentration. However, these techniques haven't been scientifically proven to help with ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People suffering from ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They may miss appointments, fail to pick up groceries, or leave home without their keys. This could have a huge impact on their daily life and relationships. The people in their lives might view this as a lack in care or may think it's because the person isn't organized. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to have trouble sustaining their attention or following directions at work or at school, which could result in missed deadlines and errors.
If you suspect that you have ADHD It's a good idea to talk to your GP about getting a referral to a health care provider who performs evaluations for adults suffering from ADHD. A professional will look at factors such as your mood, medical history and if you suffer from any other health issues that might cause symptoms similar to ADHD, like stress or substance abuse.
In order to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they must show that their ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of their lives, such as work, school and family--and that their challenges are not more likely to be caused by other conditions like anxiety or depression. A healthcare professional will go over a person's past behavior, talk with them about their struggles and observe them in the course of their actions. They can also request feedback from their loved ones.
For adults diagnosed with adult ADHD can bring relief and hope. It can help people realize that they're not a failure or an utter failure, and can teach them ways to manage their ADHD such as learning to prioritize tasks and remain organized. This can help them reach their goals, make positive changes in life, and build a stronger network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
Although hyperactivity isn't a sign of inattention ADHD, adults with this type may struggle with poor focus and difficulty staying on task. They might find it difficult to stay focused in meetings at work or complete college assignments. They might be impulsive at home or neglect to pay the bills. Their lives might be thrown off course due to not meeting deadlines, or even losing their job. Inattention ADHD symptoms can also lead to problems with family relationships.
Many people suffering from inattention ADHD have been suffering for years before they were diagnosed. They may be branded irresponsible or lazy by friends and coworkers. They might be overwhelmed by their procrastination, lack of organization and indecisiveness. The inability to complete their tasks on time and their frequent mistakes can cause financial issues or work-related issues or even legal issues.
A doctor must verify that the symptoms started before the age of 12. The doctor must also confirm that the disorder is causing impairment in two main situations (like school and at work). The impairment could include not attending important meetings at work or not paying bills on time or struggling with college, failing to complete chores or chores around the house and then racking up debt through purchase decisions made on impulse.
During an ADHD assessment, a health professional will look over a person's medical history and perform other tests, including eye exams or hearing tests, to rule out physical ailments. The health care professional may also talk to the patient about symptoms, lifestyle, family and work. He or she may also ask for old reports and family conversations to determine if symptoms were present since childhood.