Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, are unable to manage to get your work done and are easily distracted, you could be suffering from symptoms of ADHD that are causing stress in your life.
The symptoms of adult ADHD range from mild to severe. They can cause problems in multiple settings, including at school, home as well as at work.
1. Difficulty Focusing
ADHD can cause problems to concentrate and sit still. These symptoms can affect adults and children alike, and can have an adverse impact on the daily routine of a person at school, work, and at home.
Finding it difficult to focus can be a frustrating experience, particularly as it's an ongoing problem and can cause low self-esteem and feelings despair and feeling of failure. It can also cause health issues, like missing doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medication, and drinking or eating too much fast food. It can also result in financial issues, like the late payment of bills or an increase in the number of overdrafts due to impulsive purchases.
People suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty to stay on task, but they may be able to concentrate focused on tasks that appeal to them, a process known as hyperfocus. This can be useful in certain situations, but it can be difficult to deal with when you're doing daily tasks like paying bills, buying groceries or preparing documents.
Additionally, those who suffer from ADHD can be very indecisive and easily distracted by phone calls, text messages or social media, TV and music. This can make it difficult for them to finish tasks at school or at work. It also can affect their relationships with their family, friends and colleagues.
To determine if a person is suffering from ADHD, the health care provider will inquire about their childhood behaviors and school experiences. They will then interview the individual and their parents, if they are able to gather additional information. They will use standardized behaviour rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to examine the way that an adult's symptoms impact their life. They'll also conduct psychological tests as well as physical examinations that can help to rule out medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
2. Not paying attention to specifics
People suffering from ADHD are prone to become so caught up in their activities that they ignore those around them. They may also forget to follow up on a conversation or miss important details, which can lead to relationship misunderstandings. They tend to make decisions in a hurry without considering the consequences. This can lead to risky actions and inability to study for tests, abandoning jobs, spending too much on financials and aggressive actions such as throwing or hitting objects.
signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults is unable to diagnose adult ADHD simply by observing that symptoms are present in different settings and interfere with school, work or social activities. To be able to identify ADHD in adults it is necessary to meet the criteria outlined by 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. Often, a healthcare provider will meet with the person's life partner or someone close to them and ask for a medical history.
The symptoms of primarily inattentive ADHD are more common and can be summarized as a lack of focus and having trouble keeping track of tasks, ignoring details and loosing 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 may be able overcome their difficulties by recognizing and adapting their environment, habits and lifestyle to accommodate their challenges. They can also seek advice from a medical professional and take steps to improve their social skills. Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to access numerous ways to help them develop and maintain strong friendships, including a peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people who have ADHD struggle with losing things, particularly keys, wallets and cellphones. They also tend to misplace documents and other supplies required for school or work. This can be extremely frustrating.
The main reason for losing things is a common occurrence in people with ADHD is because the disorder affects the way the brain processes information. As a result, the working memory that helps you to manage new information alongside older, stored information becomes impaired. If this happens it's easy to forget what you've just learned, the steps in a recipe or that grocery list.
A few adults suffering from ADHD also have difficulty staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can result in poor performance evaluations, strained relationships with coworkers and financial issues due to missed payments or excessive spending. It is possible to consider a range of options for managing symptoms, such as psychotherapy and medications.
Certain experts believe that dietary changes including high protein foods, can help reduce ADHD symptoms. It's also important to cut out beverages and foods that are high in sugar since they can trigger mood shifts and make it difficult to stay on task. Meditation or mindfulness techniques can be effective in improving concentration. However, these methods have not been scientifically proved to cure ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People suffering from ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They may forget to attend appointments, or not take their groceries, or leave the house without keys. This can have a big impact on their daily lives and relationships. People around them may believe that the person is not well-organized or uncaring. People who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may also have difficulty sustaining attention or following instructions at work and school which can lead to errors and missed deadlines.
If you suspect that you have ADHD you should talk to your GP about getting a referral to an expert in health care who can conduct evaluations for adults suffering from ADHD. A specialist will assess factors like your mood, medical background and if you suffer from any other problems that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like stress or substance abuse.
To meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must demonstrate that their ADHD symptoms result in significant disability in at least two different areas of their lives like school, work, and family, and that the problems are not caused by other conditions like depression or anxiety. A provider will examine a person's behavior in the past, discuss their issues with them, and watch them at work. They might also ask their loved ones for feedback.
Adult ADHD diagnosis can bring relief and hope to adults. It can help people understand that they aren't an insignificant or bad person. It can also teach people strategies to manage ADHD including understanding how to prioritize and remain organized. This can help them reach their goals to make positive changes in life, and build a more solid network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
Although hyperactivity isn't a sign of inattention ADHD, adults with this type may struggle with inability to focus and difficulty staying focused. They might find it difficult to complete their college assignments or attend business meetings. They may be unintentionally negligent at home, or forget to pay bills. They may lose their jobs and fail to meet deadlines, which could make their lives difficult. Inattentive ADHD can also lead to problems in family relationships.
Many people with inattentive ADHD endure for a long time before being diagnosed. They may be branded irresponsible or lazy by friends and coworkers. Inattention and a lack of organization can make them feel overwhelmed. Their inability to complete tasks on schedule and their frequent mistakes could lead to problems with their finances, work or even legal problems.
A doctor must verify that the symptoms started before the age of 12. They must also determine that the disorder is causing problems in two main environments, including school and work. The impairment could include not attending important meetings at work or not paying bills in a timely manner and having difficulty with academics at college, failing to finish chores or chores around the house and then racking up debt through impulsive purchases.
In an ADHD evaluation, the health professional will go over the medical history of a person and perform other tests such as eye or hearing tests to rule out physical ailments. The health care professional could also interview the patient about the symptoms, lifestyle, as well as work and family life. The health care professional might also request old reports and family conversations to determine if symptoms have been present since childhood.