ADHD Symptoms in Adulthood
People suffering from ADHD typically have more issues as they age, particularly when they are struggling in school, work or in relationships. Providers typically start by discussing a person's history of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, which includes studying old reports and talking to family members.
The long-term treatment option can improve living conditions, as well as personal and professional relationships. The symptoms of adult ADHD can be treated with medication and psychotherapy.
Inattentive Symptoms
For many people suffering from ADHD, the first symptoms are lack of focus. People who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty concentrating or remembering important details, which could create problems at home, work or at school. Many people are prone to miss important dates, have difficulty keeping track of deadlines, or have difficulty to stick to a routine. They may also be having trouble managing their money or spending habits, which can lead to problems with debt or their health.
Adults may be unable to recognize ADHD symptoms due to the fact that they are more subtle than children. People suffering from ADHD may also be more adept at hiding signs and making it more difficult to identify. A person who has always struggled with staying focused may not realize their symptoms are worsening as they age and take on more responsibilities. Additionally, some individuals who suffer from ADHD can mask their inattentive symptoms by using strategies such as fidgeting or utilizing an organizer to make up for their lack of focus and organizational skills.
Attention deficit symptoms can also be a sign of problems in self-regulation. This is the ability to regulate emotions and behavior. Someone with ADHD might have difficulty avoiding distractions like a TV or a cell phone, even if they are aware that it is inappropriate. They might have difficulty sitting still in class or paying attention, or they might feel restless or impulsive at night, when they should be asleep.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also struggle to manage anxiety and stress. They may experience sleep problems which can lead to various other issues like low mood or a tendency to overeat. People with ADHD may also have difficulties at school or at work because they are unable to follow instructions, meet deadlines or manage time and priorities. They may also have difficulty with household chores and other tasks at home, which could cause conflict in relationships or financial difficulties.
It's important to keep in mind that there are a number of other illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, that can trigger similar symptoms as those found in ADHD. It's important to consult an expert in mental health or a physician prior to making an official diagnose. If you're interested in assessing your symptoms, you can use the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-5) which is a brand new tool that will help you recognize possible signs and symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive symptoms
People suffering from ADHD have difficulty controlling their emotions, which can cause feelings of anxiety and agitation. These symptoms can also cause difficulties with school or work performance. Many people with ADHD are able to manage their symptoms through therapy methods such as psychotherapy or strategies to cope and lifestyle adjustments known as accommodations. Adults are able to focus on their interests, which can lead to them being very productive and well-educated.
It is crucial for those who suspect they may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD to get a diagnosis. A mental health professional or health care provider can employ a variety of methods to determine ADHD. These include standardized scales for assessing behavior and checklists and psychological tests that assess working memory, executive functions (such planning and decision-making) spatial and visual capabilities, and reasoning abilities. In addition, the health care provider or mental health professional can ask about the person's childhood behavior and experiences, and discuss with the person issues at work and in their family that they've encountered.
Certain people suffering from ADHD aren't considered to be children, which is typical because teachers and parents may not be aware of the problem, but they may suffer from a mild form of the disorder, or may not have significant issues until later in life when issues at home or at work begin to manifest. Certain people could be misdiagnosed because the symptoms of ADHD may be overlapping with other disorders like depression, anxiety, or physical illnesses.
The symptoms of ADHD can differ from person to person and may change with time. They can be mild or moderate and some people with ADHD don't have any hyperactive or impulsive symptoms at any time. Certain symptoms of people are more apparent and impact their daily life.
Some people who have struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time feel that they have a disability and may be not able to seek help because of the negative stigma surrounding neurodevelopmental disorders. Effective treatment can improve a person’s life and increase productivity.
Impulsive Symptoms
Although it's only about 22 percent of the actual ADHD symptoms, impulsivity causes proportionally much more problems than any other symptoms. It's the reason why people who suffer from ADHD often get wrongly diagnosed and are left untreated into adulthood. Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have a history of academic problems, work difficulties, and unsuccessful relationships.
Inability to control emotions and actions is impulsivity. It's the inability of an individual to delay gratification or act without thinking or to follow a schedule or set of rules. Children who are impulsive are more likely to interrupt others or talk out of turn. They may also grab items from others, or are unable to discern boundaries in a given situation and react by expressing anger or impatience.
Adults who are impulsive manifest as carelessness or forgetfulness and can be the cause of missing meetings, errands, financial mismanagement, and even forgetting birthdays and anniversaries. They may be distracted and put things away like purses or wallets, keys, cell phones or pen. They may also be unable to read social signals in a particular situation and make insensitive, hurtful or indiscrete comments.
These symptoms can be very detrimental to someone trying to manage their work or raise a child, as well as run a household. Unfortunate mistakes, miscommunications and outbursts that are repeated are a threat to confidence in one's self, social standing, and reputation.
A lack of impulse control can also lead to sloppy or erratic work and issues adhering to company policies and completing deadlines. It can also lead to numerous health issues, such as eating disorders and weight increase as well as chronic stress and anxiety and poor sleep patterns.
Any person who is experiencing ADHD symptoms should consult with a physician. Some experts believe that ADHD could be caused by genetics or a change in brain chemistry and structure. However, there are some who have it without having a family background. In many cases your primary care physician can diagnose the condition and recommend treatment. A counselor with expertise in ADHD can help you learn to manage your impulsive behavior, boost productivity at work, improve the organization skills of employees, lessen tension and stress and recognize emotions like anger or frustration.
Social Symptoms
Adults with ADHD struggle to understand social cues. ADHD symptoms in adult men may have trouble understanding body language or facial expressions, which can make it appear as if they're isolated. They are unable to concentrate on a single topic in conversations with others and are easily distracted by others' comments. They might have a difficult time waiting for their turn in activities or conversations and often interrupt others or insert themselves into them without realizing that they might be considered rude.
Adults with this subtype of ADHD usually have at least six symptoms of inattentive ADHD and six symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity. These signs can cause major problems in school and work, and they can affect social interactions and relationships. They have difficulty completing daily tasks and managing their schedules. This can lead to frustration. Others may view them as unmotivated or reckless, and they feel like their lives will never be in order.
People suffering from ADHD don't outgrow the disorder however, they can learn to manage it. In the long run, treatment can lessen the amount of problems they face at home and at work, which can bring them closer to their families and goals in the workplace.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD live their lives being frustrated, ashamed and dissatisfied with the ways that their disorder affects their lives and relationships. Over time, they may be tempted to believe that their ADHD is a flaw in their character or an indication of their own personal failings. When they finally get an diagnosis of ADHD they may feel a sense of relief and optimism for the first time in their lives. They realize that their issues are caused by an illness in the brain, not a personality flaw or a failure of some sort. They can start to make steps to manage their symptoms and make adjustments in their lives, such as using a planner or smartphone apps for managing their daily routines and activities and seeking treatment such as psychotherapy or adaptation strategies (tools and lifestyle changes that can help you manage a condition, like a step stool can help a person who's shorter than average reach higher places). Research has proven that some of these techniques called accommodations enhance the outcomes of adults suffering from ADHD.