Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you find yourself constantly losing things, are unable to finish your work, and easily distracted, you might be suffering from ADHD symptoms that are causing you stress.
The symptoms of adult ADHD range from mild to severe. They can result in impairments in more than one setting that includes at school, home and at work.
1. Problems with Focusing
ADHD can cause problems to concentrate and sit still. These symptoms are seen in children and adults and can affect the daily life of a person at home, school and work.
Having trouble with focusing can be a frustrating experience, particularly because it's a persistent issue and can cause feelings of self-doubt and hopelessness and being unsuccessful. It can also cause health problems, such as missing appointments with doctors, not taking medications as prescribed and over-indulging in unhealthy habits like fast food or drinking. It can also lead to financial issues, like late payments of bills or an increase in the number of overdrafts due to impulse purchases.
People suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to stay focused however, they might be able to focus intensely on the tasks that are important to them - a phenomenon known as hyperfocus. This can be beneficial in some circumstances but it's harder to cope with everyday chores and responsibilities such as paying bills, shopping for food items, or filing paperwork at work.
People with ADHD are also impulsive, and easily distracted by text messages and calls TV, social media and music. This can make it difficult to finish tasks at school or at work and can impact their relationships with their family, friends and colleagues.
In order to assess whether someone suffers from ADHD their health care provider will ask about their childhood behavior and their school experiences. They will then interview the individual and their parents, if possible, to gain additional information. They will use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to look at how the symptoms of an adult impact their life. They will also conduct psychological and physical tests that can help rule out medical conditions causing similar symptoms.
2. Inattention to Specifics
People with ADHD are often so immersed in their activities that they fail to notice the people around them. They may also forget important details, or not follow up on a conversation, which can result in them misinterpreting relationships. They are prone to make decisions in a hurry without considering the consequences. This could include aggressive behavior, like throwing and hitting objects, or failing to study for exams.
A mental health professional cannot diagnose adult ADHD by merely noting that symptoms are present in different settings and interfere with school, work or social activities. To be diagnosed with ADHD in adults they must satisfy the criteria laid out 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 should be present for a minimum of six months and hinder the person's performance in different environments. In most cases, a healthcare professional will meet with the person's life partner or someone who is close to them and request a medical history.
The symptoms of primarily inattentive ADHD are more prevalent and can be described as a lack of focus to 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 identifying and adjusting their habits, environment and lifestyle to compensate for their difficulties. They can also seek out help from a healthcare provider and improve their social abilities. There are numerous resources for adults with ADHD to build and maintain friendships and support groups for peers.
3. Losing Things
Many people who have ADHD have trouble locating things, particularly keys, wallets and cellphones. They also find it difficult to locate paper or other materials needed to attend school or work. This can be frustrating.
Losing things is a common experience for adults suffering from 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 lets you juggle new information with older, stored information becomes impaired. When this happens, it's easy to forget what you've just learned, the steps in a recipe or that grocery list.
In addition, some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying focused on their work and ensuring their finances are in order. This can lead poor performance reviews, stressed relations with colleagues, and financial issues because of late payments or spending too much. It can be beneficial to consider various options to manage symptoms, such as medication and psychotherapy.
Certain experts believe that dietary modifications can help in reducing ADHD symptoms, particularly when high-protein foods are included. It's also important to eliminate sweet drinks and foods because they can cause mood fluctuations and make it more difficult to stay on task. Meditation or mindfulness techniques can be effective in improving concentration. However, these techniques have not been scientifically proved to help with ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
Many times people with ADHD forget what they need to complete. They might miss appointments, fail to pick up groceries, or leave home without their keys. This can have a big impact on their daily lives and relationships. People around them might view this as a lack in care, or they might assume it's because the person is unorganized. People who don't have a diagnosis of ADHD can also have trouble paying attention or following directions at work and school which can lead to errors and missed deadlines.
If you suspect you have ADHD It's a good idea to talk to your GP about getting an appointment with an expert in health care who conducts assessments for adults with ADHD. A professional will look at factors like your mood, medical background, and whether you have any other problems that may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD such as stress or substance abuse.
To meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they must demonstrate that their ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment in at least two settings of their lives--like school, work or family. They must also prove that their challenges are not more easily explained by other conditions, like anxiety or depression. A healthcare professional will review the person's behavior in the past, talk about their issues with them, and observe their work. They may also ask for feedback from their family members.
For adults diagnosed with adult ADHD can provide relief and a sense of hope. It can help people understand that they're not a failure or a bad person. It can teach how to manage ADHD, such as understanding how to prioritize and stay organized. This will help them achieve their goals to make positive changes in life, and build a stronger network of support.
5. ADHD in adults symptoms quiz is not a sign for inattentive ADHD. However adults with this kind of ADHD might have difficulty staying focused and on task. They may have difficulty to finish college assignments or attend business meetings. They may be lazy at home or fail to pay bills. They could lose their jobs and fail to meet deadlines, which can throw their lives off course. Inattentive ADHD can also cause problems in family relationships.
Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD endure for a long time before being diagnosed. They may be branded lazy or irresponsible by friends and coworkers. Disorganization and procrastination can make them feel overwhelmed. Their inability to complete tasks on time and make frequent errors could result in problems with finances, work or even legal problems.
A healthcare professional must confirm that the symptoms began before the age of 12 years old. The doctor must also determine that the disorder causes impairment in two major contexts (like school and at work). Impairment includes being absent from important meetings at work or not paying bills on time, having difficulty academically in college, failing to complete household chores and then putting themselves in debt with reckless spending.
During an ADHD assessment, the health care professional will look over the medical history of the person and conduct other tests like hearing or eye tests to rule out physical issues. The health professional will also interview the person about the symptoms, their lifestyle, and home life. The health care professional might also request old reports and conversations with relatives to determine if the symptoms have been present since childhood.