Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you find yourself constantly losing things, unable to finish your work, and are easily distracted, you could be suffering from ADHD symptoms that are causing anxiety.
Adult symptoms of ADHD can range from mild to severe. They can cause problems in more than one setting that includes at school, home and at work.
1. Problems with Focusing
ADHD can cause problems to focus and stay focused. These symptoms can affect both children and adults alike, and can have a an adverse impact on a person's daily life at work, school, and at home.
Having trouble with focusing can be a frustrating experience, particularly as it's an ongoing problem and can lead to low self-esteem and feelings hopelessness and feeling of failure. It can also lead to health problems, such as missed doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medications, and drinking or eating excessive amounts of fast food. It can also cause financial problems, such as late payments of bills or an increase in the number of overdrafts due to impulse purchases.
Hyperfocus is a term that's used to describe the ability of those with ADHD to focus their attention on activities they find fascinating. This can be useful in some situations, but it is harder to deal with when you're doing daily chores like paying bills, purchasing groceries or preparing documents.
Additionally, those who suffer from ADHD can be very impulsive and can easily get distracted by text messages, calls, television, social media and music. This can make it difficult to finish tasks at school or at the workplace and may impact relationships with family members friends, colleagues and other family members.
To determine whether someone is suffering from ADHD the health care provider will ask about their childhood behavior and their school experiences. If they can, they will interview the patient and their parents to gather additional information. They will utilize ADHD symptom checklists and standardized behaviour ratings scales to determine how the symptoms affect the lives of adults. They will also conduct psychological and physical tests, which can help determine if medical conditions are causing similar symptoms.
2. Inattention to Specifics
People with ADHD are prone to become so caught up in their activities that they forget about the people around them. They may also forget to follow up on a conversation or overlook important details, which can lead to relationships that are not working. They tend to make decisions fast without thinking about the consequences. This could include aggressive behavior, for example, hitting and throwing things or failing to study for exams.
A mental health professional can't diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that symptoms are evident in different settings and interfere with school, work, or social activities. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must meet the criteria set forth 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 must be evident for at least six months and must interfere with the person's functioning in a variety of settings. In most cases, a healthcare professional will speak with the person's partner or a person close to them and request a medical record.
signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults of predominately inattentive ADHD are more frequent and can be summarized as a lack of focus and having trouble keeping track of tasks, overlooking 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 may be able to cope better by recognizing and adapting their environment, habits and lifestyle to compensate for their issues. They can also seek out assistance from a medical professional and develop their social skills. There are many resources available for adults with ADHD to build and maintain strong relationships and support groups for peers.
3. Losing Things
Many people who have ADHD have trouble locating things, including cellphones, keys, wallets and wallets. They also are prone to misplace paper and other materials required for school or work. This can be extremely frustrating.
The main reason for losing things is common among adults suffering from ADHD is that the disorder affects how the brain processes information. This means that the working memory that lets you juggle new information with older, stored information is weakened. It's easy to lose the track of what you've just heard, or how to follow a recipe, or even the grocery list if this happens.
Additionally, some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying focused on their work and managing their finances. This can lead to poor performance reviews, tensions in relationships with coworkers and financial difficulties due to missed payments or excessive spending. It can be helpful to look into various options to manage symptoms, such as medication and psychotherapy.
Some experts believe that dietary changes can help to reduce ADHD symptoms, particularly when high-protein foods are included. Sugary drinks and foods can cause mood swings, and make it difficult to remain focused. Engaging in mindfulness or meditation techniques can help improve your concentration. These approaches have not been proven to work in treating ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People suffering from ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They might not remember to attend appointments, not pick up food items or leave the house without keys. This can have a major impact on their day-to-day life and relationships. The people in their lives may see this as a lack of concern or may think that the person isn't organized. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to have trouble maintaining their focus or following directions at work or at school, which may lead to missed deadlines and errors.
If you suspect that you have ADHD then you should speak to your GP to get an appointment with a specialist of health care who can assess adults suffering from ADHD. A specialist will examine factors such as your mood, medical history and if you suffer from any other issues that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD like alcohol or stress.
In order to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they must prove that their ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment in at least two different areas of their lives--such as work, school and family--and that their problems are not more likely to be caused by other conditions like depression or anxiety. A provider will review the person's previous behavior, talk with them about their issues and observe them in the course of their actions. They may also ask their loved ones for feedback.
For adults who are diagnosed with ADHD can provide relief and hope. It can help people realize they're not a bad person or a failure, and it can help them develop strategies to manage their ADHD, like learning how to organize their tasks and stay organized. This will help them reach their goals and make positive changes to their lives, as in establishing a stronger support system.
5. Inattentiveness
While hyperactivity isn't the sole symptom of inattention ADHD adults suffering from this type of disorder may have poor focus and difficulty staying focused. They may find it difficult to complete their college assignments or remain attentive during business meetings. They might be impulsive at home, or forget to pay their bills. Their lives may be disrupted due to not meeting deadlines or losing their job. Inattention ADHD symptoms can cause issues with family relationships.
Many people suffering from inattention ADHD have suffered for years before being diagnosed. Coworkers and friends may judge them as irresponsible or lazy. Procrastination and disorganization can make them feel overwhelmed. Their inability to complete tasks on schedule and their frequent mistakes can lead to problems with their finances, work or even legal issues.
In order to be granted an inattention ADHD diagnosis, a healthcare provider must verify that symptoms began before age 12 years old. He or she must also confirm that the disorder is causing impairment in two major contexts (like school and work). The signs of impairment include missing important meetings at work or not paying bills on time, struggling academically in college, not being able to finish chores or tasks at home and then putting themselves in debt due to reckless spending.
In an ADHD evaluation, the health professional will look over the medical history of a patient and perform other tests, including hearing tests or eye exams to rule out physical conditions. The health care professional will also talk to the patient about his or her symptoms, lifestyle, and family life. He or she may also ask for previous reports and family conversations to determine if symptoms have been present since childhood.