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 may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD that cause stress in your life.
Adult symptoms of ADHD can range from mild to severe. They can cause problems in more than one setting, including at school, home, and work.
1. Trouble focusing
ADHD can make it difficult to sit still and focus. These symptoms are seen in both children and adults and can affect a person's everyday life at home, at school and at work.
Finding it difficult to focus can be frustrating, especially since it's a constant issue and can lead to low self-esteem and feelings despair and failure. It can also cause problems with health like missing appointments with doctors, not taking medications as prescribed, and consuming unhealthy habits such as fast food or drinking. It can lead to financial difficulties too, with the cost of paying bills late or overdrafts getting out of control due impulsive spending.
Hyperfocus is a term used to describe the ability of people suffering from ADHD to concentrate on tasks they find interesting. This can be beneficial in certain situations, but it can be difficult to deal with everyday chores and responsibilities such as paying bills, shopping for food items, or filing paperwork at work.
Additionally, those with ADHD are also prone to being indecisive and easily distracted by phone calls, text messages, television, social media and music. This can make it difficult to complete tasks at school or at work, and can affect their relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
To determine whether someone is suffering from ADHD their health care provider will inquire about their childhood behavior and school experiences. They will then conduct an interview with the person and their parents, if they are able to gather additional information. They will use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD checklists for symptoms to determine how an adult's symptoms affect their life. They'll also conduct psychological tests and a physical examination, which will help determine if there are medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
2. Inattention to Specifics
People with ADHD are often distracted by their activity that they fail to notice those around them. They might also fail to follow up on a conversation or overlook important details, which can lead to miscommunications in relationships. They are prone to make decisions quickly without thinking about the consequences. This can be a result of aggressive behavior, for example, throwing and hitting objects or not studying for exams.
A mental health professional cannot diagnose adult ADHD simply by observing that symptoms are evident in different settings and interfere with work, school, or social activities. To be able to identify ADHD in adults it is necessary to meet the criteria set out 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. Symptoms must be noticeable for at minimum six months, and they must hinder the person's ability to function in a variety of settings. A healthcare professional can request the person's spouse or someone else close to them for a medical history.
A predominately inattentional ADHD is more prevalent. 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 may be able to be more successful by identifying and adapting their environment, habits and lifestyle to overcome their challenges. They can also seek assistance from a medical professional and develop their social abilities. There are many resources available for adults with ADHD to build and maintain strong relationships such as peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people with ADHD have trouble locating things, particularly keys, wallets and cellphones. They also find it difficult to locate papers or other items needed to attend school or work. This can be very frustrating.
The main reason that losing things is a common occurrence in adults suffering from ADHD is because the disorder affects the way the brain processes information. Working signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults , which enables you to manage old and new information is weakened. It's easy to lose track of what you just heard, or how to follow a recipe or even the grocery list if this occurs.
Some adults suffering from ADHD also have difficulty staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can lead to poor performance reviews, strained relationships with coworkers and financial problems due to late payments or over-spending. It is beneficial to explore different options for managing symptoms, including medication and psychotherapy.
Certain experts believe that dietary changes, especially those that include high protein foods, can lessen ADHD symptoms. Sugary foods and beverages can trigger mood swings and make it difficult to focus. Meditation or mindfulness techniques are effective in improving focus. These approaches have not been proven to work in treating ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People with ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They may forget to attend appointments, not get groceries, or leave the house without their keys. This could have a significant impact on their day-to-day life and relationships. People around them may think that the person is not well-organized or uncaring. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty maintaining their focus or following directions at work or at school, which could result in missed deadlines and mistakes.
If you suspect you may have ADHD then you should speak with your GP to get an appointment with a specialist of health care who can assess people suffering from ADHD. A specialist will assess factors such as your mood, medical background and whether you have any other health issues that might cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD like stress or substance abuse.
For someone to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they must prove that their ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two different areas of their lives--like school, work and home--and that their challenges are not more likely to be than other conditions, like depression or anxiety. 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 may also solicit the help of their loved ones for feedback.
Adult ADHD diagnosis can bring comfort and hope to adults. It can help people understand that they're not a bad person or an insignificant person, and it can teach them strategies to manage their ADHD, like learning how to prioritize tasks and remain organized. This will help them achieve their goals to make positive changes in life, and build a stronger network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
Hyperactivity isn't a symptom of inattention ADHD. However, adults who have this type of ADHD might have difficulty staying focused and on task. They might find it difficult to concentrate in business meetings or complete college assignments. They may be unintentionally negligent at home or neglect to pay bills. They may lose their jobs and fail to meet deadlines, which could make their lives difficult. Inattention ADHD symptoms can also lead to problems with family relationships.
Many people with inattentive ADHD have suffered for years before they were diagnosed. Friends and coworkers may label them as irresponsible or lazy. Disorganization and procrastination can cause them to feel overwhelmed. The inability to complete their tasks on schedule and their frequent mistakes could lead to financial issues, work problems or even legal problems.
In order to be granted an inattention ADHD diagnosis A healthcare professional must confirm that the symptoms started before the age of 12 years old. They must also confirm that the disorder causes impairment in two key situations (like work and school). Impairment includes not attending important meetings at work or not paying bills on time, struggling academically in college, failing to complete chores or tasks at home and getting themselves into debt due to excessive spending.
During an ADHD evaluation, the health professional will look over the medical history of a patient and perform other tests, like eye exams or hearing tests, to rule out physical conditions. The health professional will also talk to the person about his or her symptoms, lifestyle and work and home life. He or she will also look for evidence that symptoms have been present since childhood, like old report cards or conversations with family members.