Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
People with ADHD usually suffer from the same symptoms into adulthood. Adults may suffer from slightly different symptoms as they are more engaged in their work and other activities. Adults suffering from ADHD may have hyperfocus, a condition that causes them to become too focused on one thing that their attention is diverted from others.
Untreated adult ADHD can cause serious issues. A diagnosis and treatment can provide relief and a sense of hope.
Attention
It takes time for many people with inattention ADHD to complete their tasks. They are often late for meetings or miss appointments. They do not remember to send birthday cards, return phone calls or pay their bills. This can lead to financial problems, trouble at work, and stress on relationships with family members. They may also make mistakes with legal consequences like speeding tickets and missed deadlines.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include poor organization, trouble remembering and concentrating. They are often guilty of making mistakes and are unable to follow instructions. They can also easily be distracted by other thoughts or something interesting. People with inattention ADHD can have trouble focusing on things that do not appeal to them. They may also become bored quickly by mundane or boring activities. They may also have difficulty reading social boundaries, and are prone to disrupt other people's conversations, games, or activities.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD can have mild or moderate symptoms. To be able to receive a diagnosis, one must have experienced at least six inattentive ADHD symptoms before the age of 12 and the symptoms must continue to interfere with his or her life as an adult.
People who have mild inattentive ADHD are still difficult to manage their obligations especially when those responsibilities are at home or at work. Adults with this disorder may also struggle to keep healthy eating habits or exercise regularly. They might also suffer from depression or anxiety. They are more likely to develop disorders of substance abuse.
People with moderately inattentive ADHD may have difficulty keeping their schedules in order at work or at school, and may have issues maintaining relationships. They may also have difficulties dealing with the emotional consequences of being chaotic and unable to plan ahead.
Some individuals who have inattentive ADHD have a combined type, which includes both hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention symptoms. People with this form tend to be more impulsive and restless than those with only inattentive ADHD. They also have trouble keeping their belongings in order, making decisions, and accomplishing tasks. They often feel like they have no control over their behavior or actions, which can cause frustration and hopelessness.
Hyperactivity
ADHD can make people appear as if they are always on the move. They are often unable to wait for their turn in conversations or when playing games. They might blurt out answers before others have finished asking questions, and they can be disruptive to others. Even when they're not physically active, people suffering from ADHD have difficulty sitting still. They might be prone to flutter, pace or shake their legs. People with ADHD are easily distracted and are prone to forgetting things more frequently than others. For example they might forget where they put their keys, or important dates. This can cause relationship miscommunications. They may also have difficulty to concentrate on the present, and become so engrossed in something that they lose out on all that is happening around them. This is called hyperfocus, according to a 2017 literature review.
It is possible to obtain a valid diagnosis of adult ADHD if you are aware of your symptoms and seek a professional evaluation. A health care professional or mental health professional will employ standard ADHD symptom checklists, questionnaires, and interviews to look for signs of the disorder. They will also consider a person's mood, medical history, and any current or previous problems at school or work.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD is when a person has at least six ongoing symptoms which hinder their functioning in two or more situations, including home and school or work. These symptoms should cause significant anxiety and impairment in the life of the person.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have a difficult time admitting that they're struggling, however getting a proper diagnosis is the first step towards finding solutions. Treatment options are available to help people with ADHD reduce symptoms and improve their everyday functioning at work and at home. Joining an ADHD peer-support group can be a great opportunity to share your challenges and successes with others who suffer from the condition.
A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate the person's symptoms and seek out reports from teachers, relatives friends, coworkers, and other family members. They will also look at the person's mood and medical history.
Impulsivity
Being unable to control your impulses is one of the core symptoms of ADHD in adults. Impulsivity isn't only a lack in inhibition or an inability to provide answers prior to being asked, but an inability to identify the moment you are engaged in a task that could have negative consequences for you and others. Adults who are impulsive typically have difficulty maintaining relationships or sustaining a career. They may also struggle to maintain a job. Impulsivity can also lead to financial difficulties due to missed payments, fees, or debts due to an impulse purchase.
Adults with ADHD frequently have trouble managing their emotions. This is particularly the case when they are under stress or anxious. This can lead to a self-destructive behavior such as eating excessively or overindulging in alcohol, which in turn can affect physical well-being and mood. This can cause low self-esteem and a sense of shame. People with ADHD also have difficulty discerning situational social boundaries, which can cause them to interrupt or intrude on others frequently or to engage in reckless behavior that puts themselves or others in danger.
The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with time. For children, hyperactivity is usually the most prominent symptoms, but this tends to diminish when they reach elementary school and in adolescence. Inattention and impulsivity, however remain prominent in adulthood.
There are a variety of ways to manage ADHD. However it is imperative to seek out a professional diagnosis. A doctor will determine if a patient meets or does not meet the guidelines for clinical care of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This Web-site will take into consideration the age of the patient and the length of time they have been suffering from symptoms as well as how they impact daily functioning.
Adults with ADHD can be treated in many ways, including therapy, lifestyle modifications, and medications. For example, getting enough sleep and avoiding caffeine and sugar before bed and using tools such as calendars and planners, can all help improve focus and organization. A doctor could prescribe a non-stimulant which takes longer to work but can help improve concentration and reduce the amount of impulsivity among people suffering from ADHD.
Social skills
People with ADHD frequently feel a sense of social awkwardness or find it difficult to connect with their peers. These challenges can occur at different ages and vary depending on the symptoms of the disorder, such as inattention or impulsivity, explains Kimberly Hurley, an occupational therapist who specializes in pediatric ADHD from Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Social skills can be developed by watching others and copying their actions practice, and receiving feedback from your peers. It usually starts in childhood, and it's how the majority of people learn to navigate social situations. However, because people with ADHD tend to be unable to recognize social cues, they are prone to miss interpret body language, gestures and facial expressions. This can lead to them being misunderstood in social interactions. Similarly, they may seem uninterested or not respond to comments during conversations, and this can be misinterpreted as them being rude.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD are likely to struggle at school, work or in their personal lives. They may be susceptible to procrastination, disorder and forgetfulness that can cause difficulties with making deadlines or staying on a job due to missing paperwork, losing items or paying bills late. They could also be more prone to emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression, which are typical of untreated ADHD (Austerman 2015).
Adult ADHD is characterized by difficulty concentration. However there are a variety of other aspects to consider. A thorough psychiatric examination is required to diagnose ADHD, as well as to determine the most effective treatment plan for each patient.
A psychiatric examination includes a history of the patient, as well as physical examination to determine if there are other conditions that could mimic ADHD symptoms. This includes thyroid issues, head trauma, and drug use. (Austerman 2015). A thorough evaluation will also analyze how the patient is functioning at present and how it has changed over time. It can include interviews with family members, friends and coworkers to find out how they've observed symptoms of the disorder. This will help create an image of the impact of the disorder on the daily activities of a person and pinpoint areas that require improvement. During the evaluation the mental health professional can suggest specific interventions to address these needs.