Symptoms For ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from ADHD might have trouble staying organized, paying attention to detail and adhering to rules at school or at work. People with ADHD also may have trouble listening to others, leading to confusion.
Having ADHD can cause significant impairment in many situations, including problems at work or school, arguments in relationships and financial problems due to impulsive spending.
Inattention
People who have inattention ADHD tend to forget important details, fail to finish tasks and make careless errors. They may also have problems paying attention in school or at work and have trouble keeping appointments. These issues can cause difficulties at school, in the workplace and in relationships. Adults with ADHD are most likely to be affected by inattention symptoms.
People with this type of ADHD may have trouble concentration in noisy or crowded classrooms, completing college assignments and attending business meetings. They frequently forget to pay bills or return phone calls, and send birthday cards on time. They might have a messy home or office, cluttered with files and clothes on the floor.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can also include frequent forgetfulness as well as an inability to keep track of important dates, such as appointments for medical care or sports practice schedules. They can also be easily distracted by TV, music or a conversation with a friend. Inattentive ADHD may also lead to lower performance at work or at school.
For a diagnosis, an adult with inattentive ADHD must meet at least six of the nine symptoms of inattention identified in the latest edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the fifth edition (DSM-5). When interviewing someone healthcare professional, they might inquire about these issues. They will ask about the length of time these issues have been present and when they started, what other factors could have contributed to their development and how much impact the symptoms have had on the patient's life.
A health professional may also request that the person being interviewed share a list of their symptoms and how they impact work, home and relationships with others. They may also ask the patient to describe his or her childhood experiences and how they affected their behavior.
Many adults who have inattentive ADHD also have hyperactivity/impulsivity or combined ADHD, which is the most prevalent form of the disorder in children and adolescents. They tend to have at least six symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity and at least six inattention symptoms. Experts aren't certain what causes ADHD however they believe it's due to differences in brain structure or brain chemistry. They also know that it may run in the family but some people are able to get it on their own.
Hyperactivity
The symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity in adults can be quite different from those observed in children. Women are more likely to exhibit less signs and symptoms, and are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, they can be afflicted by the impulsivity and restlessness. For example, they might interrupt conversations or other people frequently. They may also lose things easily, and forget appointments or other obligations. They might have trouble understanding social boundaries, and may often annoy others without recognizing that they could be considered rude.
Finding a diagnosis for adults with ADHD is often a challenge. This is mainly due to the fact that several conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. These include anxiety disorders, mood disorders disorders, head injuries and some medications like antidepressants or steroids. These conditions can cause ADHD to be misdiagnosed or the problems of these individuals could be attributed to something else.
A doctor will typically test an adult for ADHD by asking about their childhood behavior as well as school experiences and symptoms. They will use standard ADHD checklists and questionnaires with ratings scales. They might interview the individual, their partner, parents or family members or close friends to learn about the symptoms and history of ADHD. They could request to conduct an examination of the body or conduct psychological tests to measure working memory, executive functioning, spatial and visual skills.
A doctor should assess the level of difficulty ADHD symptoms can cause a person to live their lives. It's important to get a proper diagnose, as this is the first step towards managing and treating symptoms that can create serious problems at work, home, and in social settings. This could mean losing a job, having strained relationships with loved ones or financial problems resulting from impulsive spending. It could also mean being put on academic probation in college because of poor performance. It is essential that the individual seeks help before their problem becomes overwhelming or leads to legal issues or physical health problems. Undiagnosed adults with ADHD might feel misunderstood or judged unfairly. Peers can provide support in an adult ADHD peer group. These are typically operated by organizations that offer treatment for ADHD.
Impulsivity
People suffering from ADHD often struggle to control their impulsive behaviours. adult male ADHD symptoms can cause problems in their lives, such as failing to complete tasks in time or putting themselves in dangerous situations. It could be difficult for them to keep track of finances and this can result in them spending more than they're financially able to pay for. This could lead to financial problems, credit issues and anxiety in their relationships.
In addition, impulsive symptoms of ADHD can directly impact job performance and relationships. It can also have a negative impact on the person's self-esteem and lead to feelings of embarrassment or shame about their mistakes. Although impulsivity is only a small portion of official ADHD symptoms, it often creates more issues than other core symptoms, and it is the most difficult to manage.
The signs of impulsivity associated with ADHD include being unable to stop or delay an action, and acting without considering the consequences. For instance, you could take a break to chat with a classmate or interrupt other students while they're talking or make impulse purchases. These actions might seem minor and innocuous in isolation, but when repeated regularly they can have a huge impact on your life.
For example, you might miss deadlines at work; lose a job due to an impulsive behavior; have a difficult time with your spouse due to reckless comments or actions; or get into debt because of reckless spending. They may be frustrated by your actions however, you shouldn't let them abandon you. Instead, they can assist you by providing support by offering gentle reminders to control your impulse-driven tendencies. They can also encourage you to take a few minutes for yourself after completing work, so that you can relax and unwind.
If you are experiencing ADHD symptoms are affecting your life and you are concerned, you can speak to your GP about obtaining an assessment for the condition. You can also ask an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an ADHD assessment. They will use a variety of tools to assess your ADHD, such as a checklist, standardized behavior ratings and information from family members and friends. They will also conduct psychological and neurological tests to rule out other conditions that could cause similar challenges.
Emotional Issues
Many people with ADHD have difficulty controlling their emotions and this can make it difficult to stay on top of things at school or work. They may have the need to complete tasks quickly and may be overwhelmed or frustrated when tasks take longer than expected. They might also miss important appointments or tasks and abandon unfinished projects because they are distracted. They can be accused of procrastination or lack of follow-through.
The ability to regulate emotions and impulses can be more difficult for adults with a more severe version of the disorder. These adults tend to feel more intense and last longer emotions, including anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty interpreting the emotions of others and misinterpret negative feedback. This can cause them to have a low self-esteem and difficulty in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships.
The emotional issues of adults with ADHD are more difficult to identify than problems with attention or impulsivity because they are less obvious and usually are not noticed. For instance, if an adult with ADHD is hesitant to commit to an appointment or arrangement because they fear that they may not "feel like" doing it in the future and their peers assume the refusal is simply avoidance or a lack of motivation. In reality, these difficulties in emotional regulation are akin to the difficulty individuals have in anticipating how they'll feel in the near future and regulating their own emotions.
People who struggle with emotional regulation are prone to experiencing what Hanline describes as an emotional meltdown where they become so overwrought that they react to situations in a way similar to children's temper rage. They might yell, shout or cry and are unable to think clearly.
For those with ADHD being able to recognize the signs of emotional distress can help them avoid meltdowns and maintain a positive outlook on their lives. They can practice pausing - a series actions that delay responses, such as taking deep breaths or counting to 10 - before reacting to triggers. They can also proactively create a plan to deal with an eventual meltdown prior to.