Adult ADHD Symptoms
If you've lost your keys again, feel like you're always late, or find it difficult to keep track of bills and appointments, these signs may be symptomatic of adult ADHD. Learn to discern them and what these symptoms are telling you about your personality.
A physician must collect the complete history to diagnose ADHD. This is to ensure that there aren't other conditions that might be causing similar symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Many times, people with ADHD struggle with focus or focusing on tasks. They might forget important details or fail to follow through on plans. They also make errors that have a major impact on their professional and their life.
ADHD symptoms are most prevalent in childhood, but they can also persist throughout adulthood. Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD are often plagued by indecisiveness and disorganization. They also have trouble getting their projects completed and tasks at work, as well as in their personal life. They may be annoyed and ashamed that they cannot seem to organize their lives. They might even believe that they are lazy or unreliable.
Adults with inattentive ADHD can be criticized for not listening to others, or making careless mistakes that could have grave consequences. For instance they might miss appointments, fail to pay bills on time, or fail to return friends' calls. These issues can cause feelings of self-worth loss or a feeling of failure. They also are at risk of developing untreated health issues, including anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue and heart disease, diabetes and sleep issues.
An individual with inattention ADHD symptoms is likely to have a family member who suffers from the disorder. It is important to understand that these symptoms can also occur in people without a family history. A clinical evaluation can determine whether a person suffers from the disorder or if any other factors are responsible for their inattention such as stress or anxiety, mineral deficiency hearing or vision issues cognitive decline or medication like a sleeping aid, antibiotics or allergy medication.
Psychostimulants can assist people suffering from inattention ADHD. They help improve concentration and focus by changing brain signals. Other treatments, such as diet and physical exercise may also be used to reduce the symptoms of inattention associated with ADHD.
2. Hyperactivity
As we age people, hyperactivity and impulsivity are less likely to show up as the need to fidget or rush through tasks. However, they can be a problem if the person is constantly agitated to the point of feeling overwhelmed by their own desires, needs or obligations. They may get into trouble at work due to failing to follow rules and procedures or not getting their bills paid on time. They could also be having issues managing their finances and relationships.
It's not unusual for adults with ADHD to have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms. adhd in men symptoms may believe that they're just a part of their identity or have always been this way. If these problems are affecting your daily routine, you should consider seeking a diagnosis.
During an interview, the health care professional will look for the symptoms that are 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 personal and work life to assess how ADHD symptoms impact them.
People with inattention ADHD tend to forget important items, such as their keys, wallet or even their phone. They might also forget their assignments, forget to turn in their papers or forget appointments. They could also feel uneasy and uncomfortable if not able to stay in one location for long periods of time.
People who suffer from hyperactive ADHD frequently speak without thinking, make statements that are not rational or interrupt other people in the course of a conversation. They might be enticed to use or steal things without permission, and find it difficult to wait for their turn.
3. Difficulty with Organization
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to feel like they're in a mess. Symptoms of this condition are difficult to manage, especially as they progress into adulthood and can create issues in every aspect of life. People suffering from this condition experience embarrassed or frustrated when they can't get their lives in order or reach their full potential. They may also suffer from anxiety, stress, or even depression that are caused by their procrastination, disorganization, forgetfulness, and impulsiveness.
An adhd diagnosis can bring relief to those who have felt like they are not as good as other people. It can help them realize that their difficulties in life are not caused by a lack of determination or intelligence, but due to a chemical imbalance, which can be treated with medication and behavioral therapy.
Adults who have inattention ADHD may manifest as a million small projects that never get completed like the vegetable garden that were planted, but not watered or the new organizational system that was built but abandoned. They can also manifest at work in the form of missed appointments, unfinished papers or documents that are submitted for review and the tendency to hurry through tasks without carefully checking them over as their brains are eager to move on to the next thing instead.
It's important to keep in mind that certain symptoms can be confused with signs of normal aging, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which is why it's advisable to speak with your doctor if you think that this could be the situation for you. Your doctor may refer you to an expert who will be able to confirm or eliminate the diagnosis of ADHD among older adults.
4. Lack of Motivation
For people who are diagnosed with ADHD the lack of motivation is often an important sign. It can lead to a amount of stress in a person's life, especially in relationships. It can also cause lots of stress and issues at home, work, school, or when it comes to finances. It is essential to figure out ways to tackle this issue, and to seek help if necessary.
People with ADHD typically find it difficult to focus on tasks that are boring or repetitive and are easily distracted by things that seem more exciting, interesting or enjoyable. This can result in a vicious cycle in which the person becomes bored with their work, their responsibilities and even life in general. They become even less motivated.
Low motivation may also indicate a mental health problem like bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety. It may be a result of an illness like chronic fatigue syndrome or a brain tumour or an undiagnosed thyroid disorder.
The beginning of a loss of motivation can be especially hard on those who have suffered from mental health issues for prolonged periods of time, and could be a sign that they're returning to their old cycles.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a lack of motivation, obtaining a correct diagnosis and treatment is the first step in feeling better and functioning more effectively both in your professional and personal lives. Ask your GP to recommend you to a health professional who can conduct an ADHD evaluation on adults. They might suggest you contact your local university-based hospital or graduate school to locate an expert who is experienced in working with this age group.
5. Fatigue
People suffering from ADHD often feel drained of energy. Insufficient sleep, lack exercise or a poor diet can all contribute to this. It could be a sign of physical ailments and diseases like thyroid problems, heart disease, or infections.
Talk to your doctor if tired all the time and it has a negative impact on your daily life. They can evaluate symptoms and rule out any other reasons. They can request scans of urine and imaging to determine if there are physical causes like deficiency or infections of minerals or vitamins. They may also inquire about recent stressors such as relationships or changes in your job.
The doctor will also take into consideration the patient's lifestyle and experiences with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. They can use questionnaires and interview the patient to get an understanding of their mood and behavior. They will ask whether the person feels drowsy or weak when they're exhausted, as this may suggest a different cause.
The doctor will look at how the patient handles daily tasks like paying bills, attending appointments, and following routines at home or at work. They will also look for previous diagnoses and see if symptoms have changed. They will evaluate the symptoms of inattention to determine how it impacts the person's life today. They will also consider the severity of the symptoms as defined in DSM-5. They will also take into account the gender of the individual since men are more prone to be diagnosed with ADHD.