Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, cannot manage to get your work done and are easily distracted, you may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD that cause stress in your life.
The symptoms of adult ADHD vary from mild to severe. They can result in impairment in a variety of settings, such as at home, in school, and at work.
1. Trouble focusing
Many people with ADHD find it hard to concentrate and find it difficult to sit still. These symptoms can affect children and adults alike, and can have a a negative impact on a person's day-to-day life at work, school, and at home.
It can be frustrating to be unable to concentrate particularly if it's a persistent problem. It can lead to low self-esteem as well as feelings of despair and failure. It can also cause health issues, such as missing appointments with doctors, not taking medication as prescribed, and consuming unhealthy habits like fast food or drinking. It can also result in financial problems, such as late payments of bills or an increase in overdrafts due to impulsive purchases.
Hyperfocus is a term used to describe the ability of those with ADHD to concentrate on tasks they find interesting. This can be useful in certain situations, however it is more difficult to manage when you're doing daily tasks like paying bills, purchasing groceries, or filing documents.
Additionally, those who suffer from ADHD are also prone to being impulsive and can easily get distracted by text messages, calls and television, social media and music. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks at school or at work. It also can affect their relationships with their family, friends and colleagues.
In order to assess if someone has ADHD the health care provider will ask about their childhood behavior and their school experiences. If possible, they will interview the patient and their parents to gather more information. They will utilize ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior to determine how the symptoms affect the lives of adults. They also conduct psychological tests as well as physical examinations that can help to rule out medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
2. Not paying attention to specifics
People with ADHD are prone to become so caught up in their work that they fail to notice the people around them. They may also forget to follow up on a conversation or overlook important details, which can lead to miscommunications in relationships. They also tend to make quick decisions without considering the consequences. This could include aggressive behavior, like throwing and hitting objects or not studying for exams.
A mental health professional can't diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that symptoms are present in different settings and interfere with school, work or social activities. To be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must meet the criteria outlined 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 present for at least six month and interfere with the person's performance in different environments. A healthcare provider may request the person's spouse or a relative of them for a medical history.
A predominately inattentional ADHD is more prevalent. The symptoms include problems with attention, memory loss, 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 might be able to be more successful by identifying and adjusting their habits, environment and lifestyle to overcome their difficulties. They can also seek help from a medical professional and work to improve their social skills. There are many resources for adults with ADHD to develop and maintain friendships such as peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people with ADHD struggle to locate items particularly keys, wallets, and phones. They also tend not to find the paper or other materials needed for school or work. This can be extremely frustrating.
Losing things is a typical phenomenon in people with ADHD. This is due to the fact that the disorder alters the way that the brain processes information. Working memory, which enables you manage old and new information, is weakened. It's easy to lose the track of what you've have just heard, how to follow a recipe, or even the grocery list if this occurs.
Additionally, some adults with ADHD are unable to focus on work tasks and ensuring their finances are in order. This can lead to poor performance reviews, tensions in relationships with coworkers, and financial problems due to late payments or spending too much. It may be helpful to look into a variety of options to manage symptoms, including psychotherapy and medications.
Certain experts believe that dietary changes particularly those that contain high-protein foods, can reduce ADHD symptoms. Drinks and foods that are high in sugar can trigger mood swings and make it difficult to stay focused. Engaging in mindfulness or meditation techniques can also help improve concentration. These methods have not been proven to work in treating ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People with ADHD often forget to do things. They may miss appointments, fail to get food items, or leave the house without their keys. This can have a big impact on daily life and relationships. People in their lives may believe that the person is not well-organized or uncaring. People who don't have a diagnosis of ADHD might also have problems sustaining attention or following instructions at school and at work which can lead to errors and missed deadlines.
If you suspect that you have ADHD and you suspect that you may have it, talk with your GP to get an appointment with a specialist of health care who can assess adults with ADHD. A specialist will look at factors such as your mood and medical history as well as whether you have any other issues that can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD, such as alcohol or stress.
For someone to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, they must show that their ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment in at least two areas of their lives, such as work, school and family--and that their problems are not more easily caused by other conditions such as depression or anxiety. A provider will review the behavior of a person's prior and discuss their difficulties and watch them in the course of their actions. They may also solicit the help of their loved ones for feedback.
Adult ADHD diagnosis can bring comfort and hope to adults. It can help people realize that they're not a bad person or a failure, and it can teach them strategies to manage their ADHD, like learning how to prioritize tasks and stay organized. This will help them achieve their goals and make positive changes in their life, and build a more solid network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
Hyperactivity isn't a symptom of inattention ADHD. However those who suffer from this type of ADHD might have trouble staying focused and on task. They might find it difficult to focus during business meetings or to complete college assignments. They may be careless at home, or forget to pay bills. Their lives might be thrown off track due to not meeting deadlines and by losing their job. Inattentive ADHD can also lead to issues in relationships with family members.
Many people with inattentive ADHD endure for a long time before getting diagnosed. They could be labeled unreliable or lazy by their friends and coworkers. Inattention and a lack of organization can cause them to feel overwhelmed. Inability to finish tasks on time and frequent errors could result in financial issues, work problems or even legal problems.
A healthcare professional must confirm that the symptoms first started before the age of 12. ADHD adult female symptoms must also determine if the disorder causes impairment in two main settings (like school and work). Impairment includes being absent from important meetings at work, not paying bills on time, failing academically in college, failing to complete tasks or chores at home and then putting themselves in debt through impulsive spending.
In an ADHD assessment, a health care professional will go over the medical history of the patient and perform other tests, like eye exams or hearing tests to rule out physical ailments. The health professional might interview the patient regarding symptoms, lifestyle, family and work. The health care professional may also ask for old reports and family conversations to determine if the symptoms have been present from childhood.