Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
Symptoms of ADHD can make life challenging for adults. But getting a diagnosis can help them get control of their symptoms to attain their goals at home and work.
A conversation with your doctor is the best way to begin a diagnosis. They can direct you to the appropriate treatment for you, which could include the community mental health service or specialised neurodevelopmental services.
1. Attention!
If you have ADHD the brain's automatic attention system might not be working as well. In the end, you could miss important details at school or at work, and you may be unable to remember things. You might also have trouble working on tasks that require continuous focus, such as reading, writing or math problems. You might find it difficult to be patient in games or conversations. You may be asked questions prior to others having finished. You might not be able wait for your phone or interrupt other people at inappropriate times.
Many adults suffering from ADHD still struggle with symptoms of inattention. People suffering from ADHD who are primarily inattention are unable to stay on task at home, at school or at work. This type of ADHD can present with mild, moderate or serious symptoms.
Adults with attention deficits can become more challenging when a person's day-to-day life becomes more complicated and stressful. This could happen when a person leaves the home with their family and goes to the workplace. The new obligations, such as taking care of a child in the early years, may also increase their level of stress and anxiety.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD, including lifestyle modifications diet, medication, and lifestyle changes. Drugs that stimulate like methylphenidate Adderall and amphetamines can reduce symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also a possibility for people who are unable to tolerate stimulants or don't respond to them. Your doctor can suggest the best treatment for you. They can assess your symptoms and medical history and look for any possible medical issues that could be contributing to them, and suggest effective treatment options.
2. Hyperactivity
People suffering from ADHD might have trouble staying focused on their task. They might be distracted from one task to the next, or make careless mistakes at school or work. People with ADHD tend to forget important dates and events, and have trouble following routines. They may also have difficulty managing their belongings or keeping track of long term projects.
Adults with ADHD still show problems with inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, but these symptoms may become less noticeable with age. To determine if they are diagnosed, health care providers will examine the patient's background of ADHD symptoms as a child, and later in the early years of adulthood, talk to relatives, friends and coworkers who know them well and then use standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. Health care providers or mental health professionals can also conduct an examination on the body and administer a psychological test.
The doctor will also take into account the person's mood, and whether or not any other conditions such as depression, anxiety, or medical problems might cause similar symptoms as ADHD. They will also ask about the history of family and friends, lifestyle habits and any other mental health issues that the person might be suffering from.
Many adults with ADHD will feel relief at getting an explanation for their difficulties and finding out that they aren't 'lazy or unmotivated'. inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms might also feel frustration about the fact that they weren't diagnosed when younger or the impact untreated ADHD has had on their lives and the lives of the people around them. They may also feel anger at teachers, parents or healthcare professionals who didn't notice the symptoms or take action to treat them. They may also experience feelings of sadness over missed opportunities and the effect untreated ADHD has had on their relationships.
3. Fidgeting
The signs of ADHD in adults look slightly different than they do for kids. Adults can hide the signs of hyperactivity better, while other health issues like depression or anxiety may overshadow it.
Fidgeting is a sign of ADHD. You can think of it as your body's way of trying to ease your stress and help you focus. It could manifest as notes or doodles during a meeting or tapping your feet or biting your nails. Some research has shown that people suffering from ADHD are more focused when they can fidget.
Disruptiveness is also an indication of ADHD. It can manifest as difficulties following directions, forgetting important deadlines or dates, or not being punctual. You might find yourself frequently not attending work or social obligations, and you might struggle with money due to the impulsive spending. Adults with ADHD may feel frustrated and unfulfilled because they're not reaching their full potential.
It is essential to identify the signs of ADHD in yourself, so that you can seek assistance. There are many types of medication that can treat ADHD and it is essential to try out different medications and dosages to find the best one for you. In addition to medications counseling, establishing a structure in your life can help you manage ADHD symptoms.
Diagnosed with ADHD, you may feel an array of emotions. You might be relieved that your difficulties are logical and that you're not being called lazy or unmotivated. You may also feel anger or resentment that you weren't diagnosed and treated as an infant, and sadness about the impact untreated ADHD has had on your career and relationships.
4. Disruptiveness
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are often different from those of children and teenagers. However, inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity are typical. This can make it difficult to keep up with the demands of work, meet deadlines, and develop good relationships.
In adults, the signs are more subtle and can be present across many aspects of our lives. People with ADHD for instance might have trouble being still and unfocused while reading, watching television, or at work. They might also have trouble engaging in leisure and hobbies at a comfortable pace. Additionally, they may have difficulty keeping their emotions in check and are more likely to react in a panic or become angry more frequently than other people.
As they age and become more sedentary, they may experience difficulties with planning and organization. This is because they're no longer receiving the guidance and structure of school. This can lead to delays in household chores and also difficulties with organizing household bills and appointments, as well as working on tasks. People who suffer from ADHD may find it difficult to stop or start tasks and they may have difficulties assessing the long-term impact of their actions.
Stimulant medication is the most commonly prescribed treatment for adult ADHD. They are designed to help people concentrate better, feel calmer and less dependent. They are available for prescription from a psychiatrist or GP who is skilled in treating the condition. It is important to discuss any other medications they're taking when considering the use of stimulants with their health care provider, as some drugs interact with them.
Non-stimulant drugs are available for adults with ADHD like Guanfacine and atomoxetine. These are not as effective as stimulants and take several weeks to start working, but are an alternative for those who don't wish to take stimulant medications or are unable to take it due to medical reasons.
5. Impulsivity
While the official ADHD symptoms involving inattentive and hyperactive behaviors get the majority of the attention, impulsivity could cause significant issues for adults suffering from ADHD as well. It's unfortunate that impulsivity is not given enough attention when it comes down to ADHD diagnosis, since it's a major component of the disorder. It also causes more problems than any of the other symptoms of ADHD.
For people with the disorder of impulsive ADHD problems with self-control is often an ongoing struggle. what is ADHD symptoms in adults can result in embarrassing mistakes that can affect social standing and relationships. Additionally, ADHD that is impulsive ADHD can be dangerous and harmful to one's health and well-being.
People with impulsive ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behavior, and they may have trouble managing their finances or driving skills. They are more prone to mood swings and angry outbursts. Research has shown that people with ADHD have an amygdala that is smaller which could be linked to less control over their impulses.
Adults with impulsive ADHD might also have difficulty waiting for their turn in conversations or lines. They may blurt out answers before the question is finished or even take over games or activities. They are usually disrespectful of rules and the property of others.
If you have impulsive ADHD, there are things you can do to help yourself gain more control over your impulses. Regular aerobic exercise, like, helps with all ADHD symptoms, including the impulsivity. Try to do 30 minutes of exercise per day to keep your heart rate up. Also, consider your past impulsive moments so that you can identify what your triggers are and how you can deal with them in the future. You can ask your doctor for non-stimulant ADHD medications, which require several weeks before they begin working but improve the control of impulses.