Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, can't manage to get your work done and are easily distracted, you might be suffering from symptoms of ADHD that cause stress in your life.
Symptoms of adult ADHD can range from mild to severe. They can cause impairments in multiple settings that includes at school, home, and work.
1. Problems with Focusing
ADHD can cause problems to concentrate and sit still. These symptoms can affect both children and adults alike, and can have an adverse impact on a person's day-to-day life at school, work and at home.
It can be difficult to be unable to concentrate particularly if it's a persistent problem. It can also cause low self-esteem as well as feelings of failure and hopelessness. It can also lead to problems with health, such as missing appointments with doctors, not taking medication as prescribed, and consuming unhealthy habits like 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 to impulsive spending.
Hyperfocus is a term that's used to describe the ability of people with ADHD to focus their attention on things they find interesting. This can be beneficial in some circumstances but it's harder to cope with everyday chores and responsibilities like paying bills, shopping for groceries or filing documents at work.
Additionally, people who suffer from ADHD are often extremely indecisive and easily distracted by calls, text messages, social media, TV and music. This can make it difficult for them to finish tasks at school or at work, and can impact 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 behavior and their school experiences. If possible, they will interview the person and their parents to collect more information. They will employ ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavior ratings scales to assess how symptoms affect the life of an adult. They will also conduct physical and psychological tests to determine if medical conditions are causing similar symptoms.
2. Inattention to Specifics
People suffering from 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 conversations or miss important details, which can lead to relationships that are not working. They also tend to make quick decisions without thinking through the consequences. This could include aggressive behavior, for example, hitting and throwing things or not studying for tests.
It's not enough for a mental health professional to diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that the symptoms manifest in multiple settings and they hinder work, school 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 minimum six months and 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 someone close to them and request a medical history.
Predominantly inattentive ADHD is more prevalent. The 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 can overcome their difficulties by identifying the specific issues they face and adapting their surroundings and lifestyle to address them. They can also seek out assistance from a medical professional and develop their social skills. There are many options for adults suffering from ADHD to develop and maintain strong relationships, including peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people with ADHD have trouble finding things such as keys phones, wallets, and keys. They also have a tendency to lose paper and other materials needed for work or school. This can be frustrating.
The primary reason why losing things is common in adults with ADHD is because the disorder affects the way the brain processes information. This means that the working memory that lets you to manage new information alongside older, previously stored information is impaired. In this situation, it's easy to forget what you've just heard, the steps of the recipe, or even that grocery list.
A few people with ADHD also have trouble staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can result in poor performance reviews, strained relationships with coworkers, as well as financial issues because of late payments or excessive spending. It might be beneficial to look into a variety of options to manage symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication.
Certain experts believe that dietary changes can help to reduce ADHD symptoms, particularly when high-protein food items are included. It is also essential to avoid sweet drinks and foods since they can cause mood fluctuations and make it more difficult to stay on task. Meditation or mindfulness techniques are also effective in improving focus. However, these methods have not been scientifically confirmed to treat ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People with ADHD often forget to do things. They might miss appointments, fail to get food items, or leave the house without their keys. This could have a huge impact on their everyday life and relationships. People around them may believe that the person isn't well-organized or uncaring. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to have difficulty maintaining their focus or following directions in work and in school, which can cause missed deadlines or errors.
If you suspect you have ADHD It's a good idea to talk to your GP about getting an appointment with an health professional who conducts assessments for adults suffering from ADHD. A professional will assess aspects like your mood and medical history, as well as whether you suffer from other issues that can cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD such as anxiety or addiction to substances.
To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must prove that their ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two different areas of their life like school, work, or family, and that the difficulties cannot be explained by other conditions like anxiety or depression. A doctor will look into the behavior of a person in the past, talk about their problems with them and watch their work. They might also ask 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 a failure, and it can teach them ways to manage their ADHD including learning to prioritize tasks and stay organized. This will help them achieve their goals and make positive changes in their life, and build a stronger network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
While hyperactivity isn't a symptom of inattentive ADHD, adults with this type of disorder may have poor focus and difficulty staying on task. They may find it hard to focus during business meetings or to complete college assignments. They may be lazy at home, or fail to pay bills. Their lives might be thrown off course due to not meeting deadlines or losing their job. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also lead to problems with family relationships.
Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD have suffered for a long time before being diagnosed. They might get labeled as lazy or irresponsible by colleagues and friends. Inattention and a lack of organization can make them feel overwhelmed. Their failure to complete tasks on time and frequent mistakes could result in financial issues or work-related issues, or even legal trouble.
In order to receive an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, a healthcare provider must confirm that the symptoms started before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms female adults must also determine if the disorder is causing impairment in two key settings (like school and at work). The impairment could be as simple as missing important meetings at work, not paying bills on time, struggling academically at college, failing to complete chores or household chores, and going into debt because of impulsive purchases.
During an ADHD assessment, a health care professional will go over a person's medical history and perform other tests, including eye exams or hearing tests, to rule out physical conditions. The health care professional could also talk to the patient about the symptoms, lifestyle, as well as work and family life. The health care professional might also request old reports and conversations with relatives to determine if symptoms have been present from childhood.