Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, cannot manage to get your work done, and are easily distracted, you could be experiencing symptoms of ADHD that cause stress in your life.
The symptoms of adult ADHD can vary from mild to severe. They can be a source of impairment in one or more settings, such as at home, at school, and at work.
1. Trouble focusing
Many people with ADHD find it hard to focus and have difficulty sitting still. These are symptoms that can be observed in children and adults, and can impact the daily life of a person at home, school and work.
Finding it difficult to focus can be frustrating, especially as it's an ongoing problem and can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of despair and feeling of failure. It can also lead to health issues, like missed doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medication and eating or drinking excessive amounts of fast food. It can also lead to financial issues, like the late payment of bills or an increase in overdrafts due to impulse purchases.
Hyperfocus is a term that's used to describe the ability of people with ADHD to focus their attention on tasks they find interesting. This is a great benefit in some situations, but it can be difficult to manage when you're performing everyday chores such as paying bills, buying groceries or filing documents.
In addition, people with ADHD are often extremely impatient and easily distracted by calls, text messages, social media, TV and music. This can make it difficult to complete work at school or at work, and can impact their relationships with their family, friends and colleagues.
To determine if someone is suffering from ADHD, the health professional will inquire about their childhood behavior and school experiences. If possible, they will interview the patient and their parents to gather additional details. They will use ADHD symptoms checklists and standard scales for assessing behavior to determine how the symptoms affect an adult's life. They will also conduct physical and psychological tests, which can help rule out medical conditions causing similar symptoms.
2. Ignoring Specifics
People with ADHD are often too absorbed in their activities that it is difficult to notice those around them. They may also forget to follow up on conversations or overlook important details, which can lead to relationships that are not working. They are prone to make decisions fast without considering the consequences. This can include aggressive behavior, for example, throwing objects and hitting them, or failing to study for exams.
A mental health professional cannot diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that symptoms are evident in different settings and are interfering with school, work or social activities. 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 should be present for at least a month and interfere with the person's performance in different settings. A healthcare professional can inquire about the person's partner or someone else close to them for a medical record.
The symptoms of predominately inattentive ADHD are more common and can be summarized as attention lapses, 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 with ADHD can learn to cope by identifying their particular challenges, and adjusting their environment and routines to accommodate for them. They can also seek help from a health professional and take steps to improve their social abilities. There are also many resources available for adults with ADHD to establish and maintain friendships such as peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people with ADHD struggle to find items, especially cellphones, keys, wallets and wallets. They also tend not to locate papers or other items required for school or work. This can be very frustrating.
Losing things is a common occurrence in adults with ADHD. This is due to the fact that the disorder alters the way that the brain processes information. This means that the working memory that helps you juggle new information with older, previously stored information becomes impaired. It's easy to lose track of what you just heard, how to follow a recipe, or the grocery list when this occurs.
In addition, some people with ADHD struggle to stay focused on their work and keeping their finances in check. This can lead to poor performance reviews, tensions in relations with coworkers, and financial problems due to missed payments or spending too much. It might be beneficial to explore a variety of options to manage symptoms, including therapy and medication.
Certain experts believe that dietary changes, especially those that include high protein foods, can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Sugary drinks and foods can cause mood swings, and make it difficult to remain focused. Taking up meditation or mindfulness techniques can help improve your concentration. These methods have not been proven to be effective in treating ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People suffering from ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They may miss appointments, fail to pick up groceries, or leave without their keys. This can have a big impact on their daily lives and relationships. People in their lives might think that the person is not well-organized or uncaring. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to have trouble sustaining their attention or following directions at work or at school, which could result in missed deadlines and errors.
If inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms suspect that you have ADHD and you suspect that you may have it, talk with your GP to request a referral to a provider of medical care who can examine adults suffering from ADHD. A specialist will look at aspects like your mood, medical history and whether you suffer from other issues that can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD like alcohol or stress.
For someone to be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, they must show that their ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment in at least two different areas of their lives--like work, school and family--and that their issues aren't more likely to be explained by other conditions, like anxiety or depression. A doctor will look into the person's behavior in the past, discuss their issues with them, and observe their work. They can also request feedback from their loved ones.
For adults, a diagnosis of adult ADHD can bring relief and a sense of hope. ADHD symptom test for adults can help people realize that they aren't an insignificant or bad person. It can teach how to manage ADHD including learning to prioritize their tasks and stay organized. This will help them achieve their goals, make positive changes in life, and build a more solid network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
While hyperactivity isn't a symptom of inattentive ADHD, adults with this kind of disorder may experience poor focus and difficulty staying on task. They might find it difficult to focus in meetings at work or complete college assignments. They may be lazy at home or forget to pay their bills. Their lives may be thrown off course because they fail to meet deadlines and by losing a job. Inattentive ADHD can also lead to problems with family relationships.
Many people with inattention ADHD struggle for years before they are diagnosed. Coworkers and friends may judge them as lazy or irresponsible. Procrastination and disorganization can cause them to feel overwhelmed. Their failure to complete tasks on time and their frequent mistakes can cause financial issues, work problems or even legal troubles.
A healthcare provider must confirm that the symptoms began before the age of 12. He or she also must determine that the disorder causes difficulties in two primary environments, including school and at work. The impairment can include missing important meetings at the office, not paying bills in a timely manner or struggling with college, failing to finish chores or household chores and racking up debt because of purchase decisions made on impulse.
During an ADHD evaluation, the health care provider will review the medical history of the person and will perform other tests, like eye or hearing tests to rule out any physical conditions. The health professional will also talk to the person about their symptoms, lifestyle, and family life. They might also request old reports and family conversations to determine if the symptoms were present since childhood.