Adult ADHD Symptoms
If you've lost your keys again, feel like you're always late, or have trouble trying to keep track of your bills and appointments, these signs could be signs of adult ADHD. Learn to recognize them and what these symptoms can reveal about your personality.
A doctor must take a complete history in order to determine the cause of ADHD. This is to make sure that there aren't any other issues that could be causing similar symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Often, people who have ADHD struggle with focus or keeping their attention on tasks. They might lose track of details or fail to follow through with plans. They could also make naive mistakes that have a significant impact on their lives and work.
The symptoms of ADHD are most common in childhood however, they can last throughout adulthood. Many adults who never receive the diagnosis of ADHD struggle with procrastination, disorganization and difficulty following through on tasks and projects at work or in their private lives. They might feel frustrated or embarrassed because they are unable to put things together. They may even believe they are lazy or unreliable.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often criticized for not paying attention to others, or for making careless mistakes that could have grave consequences. For example they might miss appointments, fail to pay bills on time, or respond to phone calls from friends. They may suffer from low self-esteem as well as a low sense of achievement because of these issues. Untreated health problems, such as depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue and diabetes, heart disease and sleep disorders, are also an issue.
A person with inattentive ADHD symptoms is likely to be related to someone who has the disorder. However, it's important to know that these symptoms can manifest in people without a family history. A clinical evaluation can determine whether the patient has the disorder or if any other factors are responsible for their lack of attention, such as stress and anxiety, mineral deficiency hearing or vision issues, cognitive decline or medications like a sleeping aid or antibiotics, or allergy medications.
Psychostimulants are a way to help a person with inattentive ADHD. They help improve concentration and focus by redirecting brain signals. Other treatments such as diet and physical exercise can also be used to reduce the symptoms of inattention that are associated with ADHD.
2. Hyperactivity
As adults the tendency to be impulsive and hyperactive is less likely to show in the form of being distracted or racing through tasks. They can be a problem, however, if one is restless and feels overwhelmed by their own desires and needs or obligations. They may be in trouble at work if they don't follow rules and procedures or fail to pay their bills in time. They may have issues with managing their money and relationships.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have trouble recognizing their symptoms. They may believe that they're a normal part of who they are, or that they have always been this way. If these problems are affecting your everyday life, it's time to consider having a medical diagnosis.
During an interview, the health care specialist will be looking for symptoms that are listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will also review the person's medical, psychiatric and family history. They will also review the person's personal and work life to assess how ADHD symptoms affect them.
People with inattentive ADHD frequently forget things that are important to them, like their keys, phone or wallet. They might also forget their assignments, fail to submit papers or miss appointments. They are often unable to sit still for long periods of time, and they may feel restless or uncomfortable.
People with hyperactive ADHD tend to talk before thinking and make statements that don't make sense, or interrupt others during conversations. They may be tempted to take or use items without permission and may have difficulty waiting for their turn.
3. Difficulty with Organization
A large number of people who have undiagnosed ADHD struggle with feeling like they're in a mess. The symptoms of this condition aren't easy to manage, especially as they grow older. It can cause issues in almost every area of your life. People suffering from this condition experience embarrassed or frustrated when they are unable to organize their lives or achieve their maximum potential. In the long run, a lack of organization and procrastination could cause stress, anxiety and depression.
Adults who feel they're a mess or aren't enough can get relief from an adhd diagnosis. It can also help them to understand that the challenges they've faced in their lives were not due to a lack of effort or intelligence instead, it was due to an imbalance in their chemical balance which can be addressed by medication and behavioral therapy.
Adults with inattentive ADHD can manifest themselves as a multitude of small tasks that never get completed, such as the vegetable gardens that were planted, but not watered, or the brand new system of organization that was designed but never used. adult female add symptoms can also show up at work in the form of missed deadlines, unfinished papers or documents that are submitted for review and the tendency to rush through tasks without carefully checking them over -- their brain is aching to jump into the next task instead.
It is important to remember that certain symptoms could be misinterpreted as symptoms of normal aging or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), so it's best to talk to your doctor if you think that this could be the case for you. Your doctor can refer you to an expert who will be able to confirm or disqualify the possibility of ADHD in older adults.
4. Lack of Motivation
Lack of motivation is an atypical symptom of adults suffering from ADHD. It can cause great difficulty in one's life especially in relationships. It can also lead to a lot of stress and problems at work, home and school, or even with finances. It is crucial to figure out ways to handle this issue, and to seek help if necessary.
People suffering from ADHD typically find it difficult to focus on tasks that are monotonous or boring and can be easily distracted by things that appear more exciting, interesting or even enjoyable. This can create an unending cycle where the person is bored of their work, responsibilities, and the world in general, and becomes even less motivated to take action about it.
Low motivation may also indicate mental health issues like depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety. It can be a result of physical issues like chronic fatigue syndrome or a brain tumor.
The first signs of a lack of motivation can be especially difficult for those who have been dealing with mental health issues for long periods of time. It could be a signal that they're returning to their old patterns.
If you or someone close to you is experiencing a lack of motivation, obtaining a correct diagnosis and treatment is the first step towards feeling better and functioning more effectively 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 contact an area hospital or graduate program located at a university to find a specialist with expertise working with adults.
5. Fatigue
People with ADHD are usually exhausted. This can be due to inadequate sleep, inactivity or a diet that is unhealthy. It can also be a sign that you have physical ailments and conditions like thyroid problems, heart disease, or infections.
Talk to your doctor if you feel tired all the time and it is affecting your daily activities. They can look into the causes and rule out other reasons. They can request imaging scans and urine tests to look for physical causes like deficiency or infections of minerals or vitamins. They may also ask you about recent stressors such as relationships or changes in your work.
The doctor will also take into account the lifestyle of the patient, as well as any past mental health issues like anxiety or depression. They may interview and use questionnaires to better understand the patient's mood and behavior. They will ask if the patient feels weak or drowsy when they're tired, as this could be a sign of an alternative cause.
The doctor will look at the way in which the patient handles everyday tasks like keeping track of bills, attending medical appointments, or adhering to family and work routines. They will also determine if there are any previous diagnoses of ADHD, and if the symptoms have changed over time. They will evaluate the symptoms of inattention to determine how it affects the person's current situation, and they will also take into account the severity of the symptoms as described in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual. They will also consider the gender of the individual since men are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than women.