Adult ADHD Symptoms
If you've lost your keys again and feel you're always late or struggle to keep track of your bills and appointments, these signs may be symptomatic of adult ADHD. Learn to recognize them and what they're telling you about yourself.
A doctor needs to collect a complete history in order to diagnose ADHD. This is to ensure that there aren't any other issues that might be causing similar symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
People suffering from ADHD typically have trouble focusing on tasks or maintaining their attention. They might miss important details or fail to adhere to plans. They also make errors that have a major impact on their professional and life.
The symptoms of ADHD are most common in the early years but they can also persist throughout adulthood. Adults who have never been diagnosed with ADHD frequently struggle with procrastination and disorganization. They also have difficulty completing projects and tasks at work and in their private lives. They may be frustrated or embarrassed because they can't get things in order. They might even think they are naive or irresponsible.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often criticized for not listening to others, or for making careless mistakes that can lead to serious consequences. For example they may not show up for appointments or fail to pay their bills on time, or fail to return friends' calls. They may suffer from low self-esteem and a low sense of achievement as a result of these problems. They are also at risk of untreated health issues, such as anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue, as well as heart disease, diabetes and sleep issues.
A person who experiences inattentive symptoms of ADHD is likely to have an ancestral history of the disorder. It is important to remember that these symptoms can be experienced by people who don't have any family history. A clinical evaluation can determine if the person has the disorder or if any other factors are responsible for their inattention, such as stress and anxiety, mineral deficiencies hearing or vision issues, cognitive decline or medications such as a sleeping aid and antibiotics, as well as allergy medications.
An individual with inattentive ADHD is often helped with psychostimulants, which help to improve brain signaling and aid in improving concentration and focus. Other treatments, such as diet and physical exercise can also be used to reduce the inattentive symptoms associated with ADHD.
2. Hyperactivity
As adults the tendency to be impulsive and hyperactive is less likely to show in the form of the need to fidget or rush through tasks. However, they can be a problem if the person is agitated to the point of being overwhelmed by their own needs, desires or obligations. They may get into problems at work because they fail to adhere to rules and procedures or not paying their bills on time. They might have issues with managing their money and relationships.
It's not uncommon for people with ADHD to have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms. They may believe that their symptoms are something that happens to everyone who is an adult or is the way they've always been. But if these problems affect their daily lives, it's important to consider a diagnosis.
During the interview the health professional will look for symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association. The health professional will also go over the medical history of the patient including psychiatric disorders and family history. They will also discuss the person's home and work life to assess how ADHD symptoms impact them.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to forget important things, such as their keys, wallets or phone. They might also forget their assignments, forget to submit papers or miss appointments. They are often unable to remain in one spot for extended durations of time, and they might feel agitated or uncomfortable.
People with hyperactive ADHD often speak without thinking, make remarks that are not logical or interrupt other people during the course of a conversation. They might be tempted use or steal things without permission, and they often find it difficult to wait their turn.
3. Organizational difficulties
Many people who have undiagnosed ADHD are afflicted with the feeling that they're a mess. The symptoms of this disorder can be difficult to manage, especially as they grow older. It can cause issues in almost every area of your life. People who suffer from this condition frequently experience a sense of shame and frustration over the fact that they cannot find a way to put their life together or fulfill their potential. In the long run, a lack of organization and procrastination could cause stress, anxiety and depression.
A diagnosis of adhd can bring relief to those who have felt like they're a mess and aren't as good as other people. It can also assist them to understand that the issues they've faced in their lives were not due to a lack of effort or intelligence, but rather a chemical imbalance that can be treated with medication and behavioral therapy.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms in adults can be manifested as a multitude of small projects that are initiated but never completed, such as the garden that was planted but didn't get watered, or the brand new system of organization that was put together but was then abandoned. They may also show up at work as missed appointments, unfinished documents or papers that are submitted for reviews and a tendency to thoroughly check over tasks.
It is important to remember that some of these signs could be mistaken for signs of normal aging or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), so it's best to speak to your doctor if you suspect that this could be the case for you. Your physician can refer you to a specialist who can confirm or exclude a diagnosis of ADHD in older adults.
4. Lack of Motivation
Motivation issues are an atypical symptom of adults with ADHD. It can lead to a amount of stress in a person's life, especially in relationships. It can also create a lot of stress and problems at work at home, at school, or in dealing with finances. It is important to figure out ways to deal with this issue and seek assistance if needed.
People suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to focus 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 is bored of their work, responsibilities, and life in general, and then becomes less motivated to take action about it.
Being demotivated or lacking motivation can also be a sign of an underlying mental health issue such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. It may be a result of an illness like chronic fatigue syndrome or a brain tumour or an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
Insanity is an indication that someone has relapsed into old patterns.
If Home Page or someone close to you is experiencing a lack of motivation, getting a thorough diagnosis and treatment is the first step towards being happier and functioning more effectively in your professional and personal lives. Request your GP to refer you to a medical professional who can conduct an ADHD evaluation of adults. You might be advised to contact a local hospital or graduate program based at a university to find a specialist who has expertise working with adults.
5. Fatigue
People with ADHD are often exhausted. This can be due to inadequate sleep, inactivity or a poor diet. It could also be a sign that you have physical illnesses and conditions like thyroid disorders, heart disease, or infections.
If someone has been experiencing fatigue for a long time, and it has impacted their daily life, they should talk to their doctor about it. They can assess the symptoms and rule out other causes. They can request scans of urine and imaging to check for physical causes such as infections or deficiencies of vitamins or minerals. They may also inquire about recent stressors such as relationships or changes in your work.
The doctor will also look at the person's lifestyle and past history of mental health issues like depression and anxiety. They can use questionnaires and interview the patient to get a better understanding of their mood and behavior. They will ask if the patient is drowsy or weak when they're tired, as this could suggest a different cause.
The doctor will look at how the person handles everyday tasks, such as staying on top of bills and attending medical appointments or adhering to family and work routines. They will also check for prior diagnoses of ADHD and determine if the symptoms have changed over time. They will evaluate the inattention symptom to see how it affects the person's daily life. They will also take into consideration the severity of symptoms as defined in DSM-5. They will also take into consideration the gender of the person as men are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than women.