Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
People with ADHD usually have the same symptoms throughout adulthood. However, they might appear slightly different as adulthood involves work and other activities. For instance, those with ADHD might have a condition called hyperfocus which causes them to become too absorbed in their work that they do not pay attention to others.
Adults who are not treated for ADHD can cause serious issues. The diagnosis and treatment options can bring relief and hope.
Inattention
For many people with inattentive ADHD, it takes time to complete their tasks. They frequently miss appointments or show up late to meetings. They forget to send birthday cards, return phone calls or pay their bills. This can lead to financial problems, work problems, and stress on family relationships. They could also make mistakes that lead to legal consequences, such as speeding tickets or missing deadlines.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include inattention, poor organization, difficulty remembering and concentrating. They often make careless mistakes and struggle to follow instructions. They can also easily be distracted by other thoughts or something that is interesting. People with inattention ADHD are prone to having difficulty focussing on tasks that don't interest them. They may also become bored quickly with mundane or boring tasks. They may also have difficulty understanding social boundaries in a particular situation and tend to intrude on the conversations of others or games.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms. To be considered a diagnosed person must show at least six inattentive ADHD symptoms by the age of 12 and have symptoms that continue to interfere with their daily life as an adult.
Even those with mildly inattentive ADHD may find it difficult managing their obligations. This is especially the case when they are at work or at home. They may also have difficulty to maintain a healthy diet or exercise regularly. They may also struggle with anxiety or depression. They are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorders.
Those with moderate inattentive ADHD may have difficulty maintaining order at work or school and may also have difficulty maintaining relationships. They may also have trouble coping with the emotional effects of being disorganized and having trouble planning ahead.
Some individuals who have inattentive ADHD have a combined type, which includes both hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention symptoms. The people who suffer from this form tend to be more impulsive and restless than other people with just inattentive ADHD. They also have a difficult time keeping the track of their possessions, making decisions, and finishing tasks. They often feel that they are in control of their actions or behaviour, which can cause frustration and despair.
Hyperactivity
ADHD can make people appear as if they are always moving. They struggle to wait for their turn in conversations or when playing games. They often interrupt other people and can answer questions after others are finished. People with ADHD also have difficulty sitting still, even when they're not performing any physical work. They might fumble, sway or shake their legs. People with ADHD can get easily distracted and may forget things more frequently than others, such as where they place their keys or important dates. This can lead to relationship misunderstandings. Additionally, they may struggle to concentrate on the present and become so involved in a particular thing that they completely forget on other activities going on around them. This is known as hyperfocus, according to a 2017 literature review.
If you are aware of your symptoms and seek professional help it is possible to receive an adult ADHD diagnosis. A health care professional or mental health professional will employ standard ADHD symptoms checklists, questionnaires, and interviews to determine the signs of the disorder. They will also take into consideration the person's mood, their medical history, and any current or previous problems at work or school.
ADHD symptoms in adults females of adult ADHD requires that the individual has at minimum six ongoing symptoms that affect their functioning in two or more environments such as school, home or at work. These symptoms must cause significant distress and impairment to the lives of a person.
Adults with ADHD may have a hard to admit that they're struggling, but obtaining a proper diagnosis is the first step to finding solutions. Treatments are available to help people with ADHD alleviate symptoms and improve their daily functioning at home and at work. Joining an ADHD peer-support group can be an excellent way to share your struggles and successes with others who have the condition.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will examine the symptoms of a patient and may seek reports from colleagues, teachers, relatives and even friends. They also will assess the person's mood as well as their medical history.
Impulsivity
The inability to control impulses is among the core symptoms of ADHD in adults. It's not only a lack in inhibition or a tendency to blurt out answers before being asked, but a failure to discern when you are involved in an activity with potentially negative consequences for you and others. Adults who are impulsive frequently have trouble maintaining relationships or sustaining a career. They may also be struggling to maintain a job. In addition, it can cause financial problems due to late payments, fees, or debts due to an impulse purchase.
It is also typical for adults with ADHD to have trouble managing their emotions, especially when they are suffering from anxiety and stress. This can result in self-destructive behaviour, like eating too much or drinking too much alcohol, which in turn affects the physical health and mood. This can lead to a low sense of self-worth and shame. People with ADHD also have difficulty discerning social boundaries in a particular situation, which could cause them to interrupt or intrude on others frequently or to engage in reckless behaviour that could put others in danger.
The manner in which symptoms of ADHD manifest can change with time. In children, hyperactivity is often the most prevalent symptoms, but this tends to decrease when they reach elementary school and adolescence. However, inattention and impulsivity remain prevalent until adulthood.
There are extreme ADHD symptoms adults to manage ADHD, it is important to seek a diagnosis from a mental health professional. A doctor will determine whether or not a person's condition is in line with the guidelines for clinical care in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will consider a person's age and the duration of symptoms as well as how they impact daily functioning.
Adults with ADHD can be treated in a variety ways, including psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and medication. For example getting enough quality sleep, avoiding caffeine and sugar prior to bed and using tools such as planners and calendars can all help to improve concentration and organisation. A doctor may prescribe a non-stimulant that takes longer to take effect but still improves concentration and reduces impulsivity for individuals with ADHD.
Social skills
People suffering from ADHD frequently feel an uneasy social stance or are unable to connect with their peers. These challenges can occur at different ages and can vary depending on the symptoms of the disorder, like inattention or impulsivity, says Kimberly Hurley, an occupational therapist specializing in pediatric ADHD from Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Social skills are learned through incidental learning, including watching others, copying their actions and gaining feedback from your peers. This usually begins in the early years of childhood, and is how the majority of people learn to navigate social situations. People with ADHD are more likely to miss social cues. They may misinterpret body language, facial expressions and gestures. Additionally, they might appear disinterested or unable to follow up in conversations, and this can be misinterpreted as them being rude.
Adults with untreated ADHD may have difficulty at school, work or in their personal lives. They may be susceptible to procrastination or disorganization, and forgetfulness, which can lead to difficulties with meeting deadlines or keeping a job due to missing documents, losing things or paying bills late. They may be more prone to emotional issues such as anxiety and depression, which are common in untreated ADHD.
Adult ADHD is characterized by difficulty in concentrating. However there are other factors to consider. A thorough psychiatric evaluation is required to diagnose ADHD, as well as to determine the most effective treatment plan for each individual.
A psychiatric evaluation involves a thorough history of the patient as well as a physical examination to determine if there are other conditions that may be causing ADHD symptoms. This includes thyroid issues, head trauma, and drug use. (Austerman 2015). A thorough evaluation will also examine how a person is performing at the moment and how that has changed over time. It may include interviews with family members, friends, and colleagues to determine how they've experienced symptoms of the disorder. This will help create a picture of the effects of the disorder on a person's daily life and identify areas where improvements are required. A mental health professional can recommend specific interventions during the evaluation.