Adult ADHD Symptoms
Whether you've lost your keys once more and feel you're always late or find it difficult to keep track of your bills and appointments, these symptoms may be symptomatic of adult ADHD. Learn to identify them and what these symptoms are telling you about your own personality.
In order to make an ADHD diagnosis, a physician must conduct a thorough medical history. This is to make sure that there aren't any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Many times, people with ADHD struggle with focusing or keeping their attention on tasks. They may forget details or fail to stick with plans. They may also make careless mistakes that can have a huge impact on their life and work.
ADHD symptoms are most common in childhood but can persist into adulthood. Many adults who do not receive an official diagnosis of ADHD struggle with procrastination, indecisiveness and difficulty focusing on projects and tasks at work or in their personal lives. They may be frustrated and embarrassed that they are unable to organize their lives. They might even believe that they are naive or irresponsible.
Adults who are inattentional ADHD are often accused of not listening to others or making rash mistakes that can have serious consequences, such as missing appointments and not paying bills on time or not returning friends' calls. They may also suffer from a lack of self-esteem and a feeling of a lack of accomplishment because of these problems. They also are at risk of developing untreated health issues, such as anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue and diabetes, heart disease, and sleep disorders.
An individual who has inattention symptoms of ADHD is likely to have an ancestral history of the disorder. It's important to note that these symptoms may also occur in people who do not have an ancestral history. A clinical evaluation can determine whether the patient has the disorder or if other factors are responsible for their lack of attention such as stress or anxiety, mineral deficiency or hearing or vision issues cognitive decline, or medications such as sleeping aids, antibiotics or allergy medication.
A person with inattention ADHD is often assisted by psychostimulants that help to improve brain signaling and help improve concentration and focus. Other treatments, including exercise and diet are also available to reduce symptoms of inattention ADHD.
2. Hyperactivity
Adults are less likely than children to fidget or rush through tasks. But they can still be a problem if the person is restless to the point of feeling overwhelmed by their own desires, needs or responsibilities. They could get in trouble at work due to failing to follow rules and procedures, or not paying their bills on time. They may also have difficulty managing money and their relationships.
It's not uncommon for adults with ADHD to have trouble recognizing their own symptoms. They may believe that they're just a part of their identity or have always been this way. However, if they impact their daily life it's crucial to think about a diagnosis.
During an interview medical professional will look for the symptoms listed in the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will also look over the patient's medical, mental health and family history. They will also review the person's work and home life to determine how ADHD symptoms affect them.
People with inattentive ADHD frequently forget things that are important to them, such as their keys, phone or wallet. They may also forget their assignments, fail to turn in their papers or forget appointments. They're often unable to sit still for extended periods of time, and they may feel restless or uncomfortable.
People with hyperactive ADHD tend to speak without thinking, make remarks that are not logical or interrupt other people during conversations. They might be tempted to use or take things without permission, and they often have a hard time waiting their turn.
3. Organizational challenges
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to feel like they're in a mess. adhd in men symptoms of this disorder aren't easy to manage, particularly as they grow older. It can cause issues in almost every area of your life. People with this condition often experience a sense of shame and frustration that they can't manage to put their lives together or realize their potential. They might also be suffering from anxiety, stress, or depression, which is caused by their procrastination, disorganization and forgetfulness. They also experience impulsiveness, impulsiveness, and anger.
Adults who feel like they're a mess or aren't adequate enough may get relief from an adhd diagnosis. It can also help people realize that the difficulties they've had in their lives were not due to a lack of effort or intelligence but rather an imbalance in their chemical balance which can be addressed with medication and therapy for behavioral issues.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms in adults may manifest as a myriad of projects that are started and never completed, like the vegetable garden that got planted but didn't get watered, or the brand new system for organizing that was created but was then abandoned. They can also manifest at work through missed appointments, unfinished documents or papers that are submitted for reviews, and a tendency not to thoroughly check over tasks.
It's important to note that certain symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of normal aging, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which is why it's best to speak to your doctor if you believe that this might be the situation for you. Your physician can refer you to an expert who will be able to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of ADHD in older adults.
4. Lack of Motivation
Lack of motivation is a common symptom for adults suffering from ADHD. It can cause great difficulty in the life of a person, particularly in relationships. It can also cause a lot stress and issues in the workplace, at home, at school, or in dealing with finances. It is crucial to find ways to deal with this issue, and to seek help if needed.
People with ADHD are often unable to concentrate on monotonous or boring tasks and are easily distracted by other things that seem more interesting, exciting or enjoyable. This can create an unending cycle where the person feels bored with their job, responsibilities, and their life in general and is then less motivated to do anything about it.
Low motivation may also indicate a mental health problem such as bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. It may also be caused by an illness like chronic fatigue syndrome or a brain tumour or an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
A lack of motivation can be an indication that someone has fallen to old habits.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with a lack of motivation, obtaining a correct diagnosis and treatment is the first step to being happier and functioning more efficiently both in your professional and personal lives. Request your GP to recommend you to a health professional who can conduct an ADHD assessment on adults. You might be advised to call an area hospital or graduate program based at a university to find a specialist who has experience working with adults.
5. Fatigue
People suffering from ADHD often feel tired and depleted of energy. This could be due insufficient sleep, lack of exercise or a poor diet. It could also be a sign of physical illnesses and conditions like low blood sugar, thyroid issues, heart disease or infections.
Talk to your doctor if you are tired all the time and it is affecting your daily routine. They can evaluate the symptoms and rule out the possibility of other causes. They can request scans of urine and imaging to look for physical causes like deficiency or infections of vitamins or minerals. They can also inquire about recent stressors like issues with relationships or changes in employment.
The doctor will also consider the patient's lifestyle and history of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. They may interview and use questionnaires to better understand the patient's mood and behavior. They will ask if the person feels weak or drowsy when they're tired, as this could indicate the existence of a different reason.
The doctor will assess how the patient is able to manage daily tasks like paying bills, attending appointments and maintaining routines at work or home. They will also look for prior diagnoses of ADHD and determine if the symptoms have changed over time. They will evaluate the symptoms of inattention to determine how it affects the individual's life today. They will also look at the severity of the symptoms as described in DSM-5. They will also consider the gender of the individual since men are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.