Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you find yourself constantly losing things, are unable to finish your task and easily distracted, then you may have ADHD symptoms which are causing anxiety.
The symptoms of adult ADHD range from mild to severe. They can result in impairment in one or more settings like at home, in school, and at work.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble staying focus and have difficulty sitting still. These symptoms can affect both children and adults alike, and can have negative effects on a person's daily life at work, school, and at home.
It can be a hassle to have trouble focusing, especially when it's a problem that persists. It can also cause feelings of self-esteem loss and feelings of failure and hopelessness. It can also cause health problems like missing appointments with doctors, not taking medication as prescribed, and excessively engaging in unhealthy habits like fast food or drinking. It can cause financial issues too, with bills being paid late or the overdrafts becoming out of control due to impulse spending.
Hyperfocus is a term that's used to describe the ability of people with ADHD to focus their attention on things they find interesting. This can be helpful in some circumstances but it can be difficult to deal with everyday chores and responsibilities such as paying bills, buying groceries or filing documents at work.
People suffering from ADHD are also impulsive and easily distracted by text messages, calls as well as social media, television, and music. This can make it difficult to complete tasks in school or in the workplace and affect relationships with family as well as colleagues, friends and family.
To determine if a person is suffering from ADHD To determine if someone is suffering from ADHD, the health professional will inquire about their childhood behaviors and school experiences. They will then interview the individual and their parents, if possible, to gain additional information. They will employ ADHD symptoms checklists and standard scales for assessing behavior to determine how the symptoms affect the life of an adult. They will also conduct physical and psychological tests to identify medical conditions that cause similar symptoms.
2. Not paying attention to specifics
People suffering from ADHD can be so absorbed in their work that they fail to notice the people around them. They may also forget important details, or not follow up after a conversation, which can result in them misinterpreting relationships. They also tend to make snap decisions without considering the consequences. This can lead to risky actions in the absence of studying for tests, abandoning jobs, spending too much on financials and even aggressive actions like hitting or throwing things.
A mental health professional is unable to diagnose adult ADHD by merely noting that symptoms are present in different settings and interfere with school, work, or social activities. To be able 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 months and hinder the person's performance in different environments. A healthcare professional may request the person's spouse or a person close to them for a medical history.
The symptoms of predominately inattentive ADHD are more common and can be summarized as a lack of focus and having trouble keeping track of tasks, overlooking 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 suffering from ADHD can learn to cope by identifying their specific challenges and adapting their environment and habits to compensate for their specific challenges. They can also seek help from a healthcare provider and enhance their social skills. Adults suffering from ADHD can also find many ways to help them develop and maintain strong friendships, such as a peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people who have ADHD have trouble locating things, particularly keys, wallets and cellphones. They also aren't able to locate paper or other materials that are needed to attend school or work. This can be very frustrating.
The main reason that losing things is a common occurrence in adults suffering from ADHD is because the disorder affects the way the brain processes information. As a result, the working memory that helps you juggle new information with older, stored information becomes impaired. In this situation it's easy to forget what you've just learned, the steps in recipes, or the grocery list.
A few adults with ADHD also have trouble staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can lead to poor performance reviews, strained relationships with coworkers, and financial issues due to missed payments or excessive spending. It can be helpful to consider different options for managing symptoms such as medication and psychotherapy.
Some experts believe that changes in diet particularly those that contain high protein foods, can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Drinks and foods that are high in sugar can cause mood swings and make it difficult to stay focused. Meditation or mindfulness techniques can be effective in boosting concentration. These methods have not been proved to be effective in treating ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People with ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They might forget to go to appointments, or not take their food items or leave the house without their keys. This can have a major impact on their daily life and relationships. People in their lives may think that the person is not well-organized or uncaring. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to have difficulty sustaining their attention or following directions in work and at school, which may result in missed deadlines and errors.
If you think you have ADHD, you should talk with your GP to get an appointment with a doctor of health care who can evaluate people suffering from ADHD. A specialist will examine aspects like your mood, medical background and if you suffer from any other problems that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD, like stress or addiction to substances.
In order to meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis they must prove that their ADHD symptoms result in significant impairment in at least two different areas of their lives--like school, work and home--and that their challenges are not more easily explained by other conditions, such as depression or anxiety. A provider will examine a person's behavior in the past, discuss their issues with them, and observe them at work. They might also solicit the help of their loved ones for feedback.
Adult ADHD diagnosis can bring hope and relief to adults. It can help people understand that they're not an insignificant or bad person. It can also teach people strategies to manage ADHD like understanding how to prioritize and stay organized. This can help them achieve their goals and make positive changes to their lives, as well as develop a stronger support system.
5. Inattentiveness
Hyperactivity is not a sign of inattention ADHD. However adults with this type of ADHD may have difficulty staying focused and on task. They might find it difficult to complete college assignments or attend business meetings. They may be unintentionally negligent at home or forget the bills. Their lives may be thrown off track because they fail to meet deadlines, or even losing a job. ADHD and adults symptoms can also lead to problems with family relationships.
Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD have been suffering for years before they were diagnosed. They may be branded irresponsible or lazy by colleagues and friends. Inattention and a lack of organization can make them feel overwhelmed. Inability to finish tasks on schedule and their frequent errors could result in problems with their finances, work or even legal issues.
A healthcare professional must confirm that the symptoms began before the age of 12. He or she also must be able to determine if the disorder causes problems in two main settings, such as work and school. The signs of impairment include not attending important meetings at work, not paying bills on time, having difficulty academically in college, not being able to finish household chores and putting themselves into debt due to excessive spending.
In an ADHD assessment, the health professional will go over the medical history of the person and conduct other tests such as eye or hearing tests to rule out physical ailments. The health care professional will also interview the person about the symptoms, lifestyle and work and home life. The health care professional may also ask for previous reports and conversations with family members to determine if symptoms have been present since childhood.