Adult ADHD Symptoms
Whether you've lost your keys again or feel that you're always late or find it difficult to keep track of your bills and appointments, these signs may be symptomatic of adult ADHD. Learn to identify them and what these symptoms can reveal about your own personality.
A doctor needs to collect an exhaustive history in order to diagnose ADHD. This is to make sure that there aren't any other conditions that might cause similar symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
People suffering from ADHD typically have trouble focusing on their work or keeping their focus. They may forget details or fail to follow through with plans. They may also make careless mistakes that can have a huge impact on their lives and work.
ADHD symptoms are most common in childhood, but they can also persist into adulthood. Adults who have never been diagnosed with ADHD are often plagued by the inability to focus and lack of organization. They also have difficulty following through on projects and assignments at work as well as in their personal life. They may be frustrated and embarrassed that they can't seem to put their lives in order. They might even feel that they are irresponsible or lazy.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often accused of not listening to others or making mistakes that could have grave consequences, including missing appointments or not paying bills on time or not answering calls from friends. These issues can lead to feelings of self-worth loss or a feeling of being unworthy. Untreated health issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue as well as heart disease, diabetes and sleep disorders, are a risk.
Someone who exhibits inattention symptoms of ADHD is likely to have an ancestral history of the disorder. However, it's important to recognize that these symptoms can manifest even in people with no family history. A clinical assessment can tell if the person has the disorder or if other factors are to blame for their lack of attention like stress and anxiety, mineral deficiencies or hearing or vision issues, cognitive decline or medications such as a sleeping aid, antibiotics or allergy medication.
An individual with inattention ADHD is often assisted by psychostimulants that improve brain signals and improve concentration and focus. Other treatments, such as diet and physical exercise may be utilized to lessen the inattentive symptoms that are associated with ADHD.
2. Hyperactivity
Adults are less likely than children to flutter around or flit through tasks. However, they can still be a problem when the person is constantly agitated to the point of feeling overwhelmed by their own needs, desires or duties. I Am Psychiatry UK could be in trouble at work if they fail to adhere to rules and regulations or fail to pay their bills in time. They may also have difficulty managing their finances and relationships.
It's not unusual for adults with ADHD to be unable to recognize their own symptoms. They may think that their symptoms are something that happens to everyone who is an adult or that this is how they've always been. However, if they affect their daily lives, it's important to consider the possibility of a diagnosis.
During the interview, the health professional will be looking 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 look over a person's medical history including psychiatric disorders and family history. The person's home and work life will also be discussed to see how ADHD symptoms are impacting them.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to lose important items like keys, wallets, or even their phone. They may also lose track of their assignments, forget to submit papers or skip appointments. They're often unable to remain in one spot for long periods of time, and they might feel agitated or uncomfortable.
People who suffer from hyperactive ADHD tend to speak without thinking, make remarks that are not rational or interrupt other people during conversations. They might be tempted to use or take things without permission, and they often aren't able to wait their turn.
3. The difficulty with Organization
Many people with undiagnosed ADHD feel like they're a mess. The symptoms of this condition are difficult to manage, particularly as they grow older and can create problems in virtually every area of life. People with this condition experience shame or anger when they cannot seem to get their lives in order or reach their full potential. In the long run, a lack of organization and procrastination could cause stress, anxiety and depression.
An adhd diagnosis can provide relief to people who feel that they're in not as competent as other people. It can also assist them understand that the challenges they've faced in their lives aren't due to the lack of effort or intelligence, but rather an imbalance in the chemical system that can be treated by medication and behavioral therapy.
Adults who have inattention ADHD may manifest as a million small projects that are never completed, like the vegetable garden that were planted, but not watered, or the new organizational system that was designed but never used. These can also show up at work as missed appointments and unfinished documents or papers that are submitted for review and a tendency to rush through tasks without taking the time to check them over as their brains are aching to jump to the next thing instead.
It's important to keep in mind that some of these signs could be mistaken for signs of normal aging or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which is why it's best to talk to your doctor if you suspect that this might be the case for you. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who can confirm or rule out the possibility of ADHD in older adults.
4. Lack of Motivation
For adults diagnosed with ADHD the lack of motivation is often the most prominent indicator. It can cause a lot of difficulty in the life of a person, particularly in relationships. It can also cause lots of stress and problems at work, home or at school, as well as with finances. It's important to discover ways to tackle this issue, and seek help if necessary.
People with ADHD can find it difficult to focus on monotonous or boring tasks, and can be easily distracted by things that seem more exciting, interesting or enjoyable. This can create an unending cycle where the person is bored of their job, responsibilities, and life in general, and becomes even less motivated to do anything about it.
A low level of motivation can also be a sign that there's an undiagnosed mental health issue, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. It can also be caused by physical conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or brain tumors.
A lack of motivation can be an indication that someone has relapsed to old habits.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with a lack motivation, getting a thorough diagnosis and treatment is the first step in being happier and functioning more effectively both in your professional and personal lives. Ask your GP to refer you to a medical professional who can conduct an ADHD evaluation on adults. They may suggest you call your local hospital affiliated with a university or graduate school to locate someone who is familiar with working with this age group.
5. Fatigue
People with ADHD tend to be tired. Insufficient sleep, inactivity, or a poor diet may all contribute to this. It could also be an indication of physical conditions and illnesses like low sugar, thyroid disorders or heart disease.
If a person is experiencing fatigue for a long time and it has impacted their everyday activities you should speak to their doctor about it. They can evaluate symptoms and rule out any other causes. They can order imaging scans and urine tests to check for physical causes for fatigue such as infections or deficiencies in minerals or vitamins. They may also ask you about recent stressors like problems with your relationship or changes to your job.
The doctor will also take into account the person's lifestyle and any past mental health issues like anxiety or depression. They may conduct interviews and use questionnaires to gain a better understanding of the patient's mood, behavior and personality. They will ask whether the patient is drowsy or weak when they're tired, as this could indicate a different underlying cause.
The doctor will look at the way in which the patient handles everyday tasks like staying on top of bills or attending medical appointments or following work and family routines. They will also look for any previous diagnoses of ADHD, and if the symptoms have changed over time. They will also evaluate the symptoms of inattention to determine how it affects the person's daily life. They will also look at the severity of symptoms as defined in DSM-5. They will also take into consideration the gender of the person since men are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than women.