Adult ADHD Symptoms
Adult ADHD can be a challenge. Disorganization, forgetfulness, and the inability of following directions can have a major impact on family, work and interpersonal relationships.
In contrast to children, adults with Predominantly Inattentive Type ADHD (formerly ADD) often lack the hyperactivity component of the disorder. They may also experience other symptoms such as wandering around, losing things or interrupting others.
Difficulty Listening
Listening doesn't happen by itself. It requires effort. You must be attentive during conversations and recollect what's said in order to respond in a manner that is appropriate. This is difficult for anyone however, particularly if you suffer from ADHD.
Often, your brain can't process information quickly enough. This can lead to issues in a variety of ways, such as making it hard to comprehend and understand what others are saying.
You might also be in a hurry and interrupt others often and this can affect your ability to process what they are saying and hinders you from responding in the most effective way possible. This could make the person you are talking to feel ignored and angry.
Another challenge is that your working memory may not be optimal and it's difficult to keep information in mind for later recall. This can cause you to overlook important information during a conversation and could have serious consequences in the workplace.
When you are unable to process information quickly it can be hard to follow up on important discussions or take the next steps needed to close an open loop. This is especially true if you are in the middle of an assignment that has been assigned to you and requires immediate attention and action.
Family doctors are the best to diagnose adult ADD. They are well-versed in the symptoms and are able to recognize clues. If needed, they can refer patients to mental health services. In addition to the treatment offered by social workers, psychiatrists or psychologists, medications may be prescribed. They could be stimulants or non-stimulants. They can boost your concentration, but are not a cure. Developing communication skills, getting regular exercise and focusing on relaxation techniques can all help.
Inattentiveness
Inattention and disorganization is the main symptom of Predominantly inattentive Type ADHD. In contrast to the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are the hallmarks of the other two subtypes of this disorder, inattentive symptoms do not tend to appear as easily. This form of the disorder can cause people to overlook important details at work or school and may have trouble following instructions. They might be daydreamers or appear disinterested in tasks or meetings.
Although everyone can forget or lose focus occasionally, if these issues occur frequently and are affecting your daily routine it could be a sign of a mental illness. If you're having severe problems with your attention, it's a good idea to consult with a medical professional. It could be that you make careless mistakes with lasting consequences, such as forgetting taxes or sending an incorrect email.
Inattention to detail can also have a major impact on relationships. These mistakes that aren't made in a timely manner can result in stress for family members and colleagues, particularly for those who are asked to correct the errors repeatedly. These issues can lead to trouble in the classroom or on the job and could affect a person's ability to advance their career or stay in their current job.
If you're experiencing symptoms of inattentive ADHD, it's important to get them checked out by a doctor. There are a myriad of reasons for the difficulty in of focusing, including fatigue, the effects of certain medications, and other underlying conditions like hypothyroidism. Inattention may also be a sign of anxiety or depression, which are common among those who have ADHD.
The American Psychiatric Association has set nine distinct symptoms as criteria to diagnose ADHD. For adhd in men symptoms at minimum five of them must be present for an assessment. The criteria for diagnosis include inattention, distractibility, motor hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. They also include hot tempers emotional overactivity, mood swings and disorganization. Hallowell and Ratey have expanded the criteria that requires a minimum of six of these behavior patterns for children who are younger than 17 and at least five for adults aged 17 and over.
