Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
Symptoms of ADHD can make life challenging for adults. If diagnosed as ADHD, they can manage their symptoms and reach their goals both at home and at work.
Talking to your doctor is the best way to start an assessment. They can refer you the appropriate services, such as community mental health services or neurodevelopmental services.
1. Attention
If you have ADHD your brain's automatic system of focusing may not work in the same way. As a result, you may miss important information at school or at work and may be unable to remember things. You may also have difficulty paying attention to tasks that require continuous attention, such as reading, writing or maths problems. You might have trouble getting your turn in games or conversations. You might be able to answer questions before others have completed. You might have trouble waiting for your phone to ring, or interrupt conversations at inappropriate times.
Many adults who suffer from ADHD have trouble coping with symptoms of inattention. People with ADHD that is primarily inattention have trouble staying on task at school, home or at work. This type of ADHD can present with mild, moderate or even serious symptoms.
Attention-deficit symptoms in adults can become more problematic when a person's life becomes more complex and stressful. This can happen when someone moves out of the family home or into a workplace and new responsibilities like taking care of a child can contribute to their stress levels and anxiety.
There are a variety of treatments available for people with adult ADHD that include lifestyle changes, diet, and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine-based medicines (Adderall) can help to reduce symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Some people also take non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine or Strattera, if they cannot tolerate stimulants. Your doctor will be able to recommend the most effective treatment for you. They can evaluate your symptoms and history looking for medical conditions that may be causing them and identify effective treatments.
2. Hyperactivity
People with ADHD may have difficulty staying focused on their work. They might be distracted from one task to the next, or make careless mistakes at work or school. People with ADHD often forget important dates or occasions and have a hard time adhering to routines. They may be unable to organize their lives or keep 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 professionals will analyze the individual's background of ADHD symptoms when they were children and in the early years of adulthood, interview relatives, friends as well as coworkers or other people who are familiar with them and utilize standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. Health care professionals or mental health professionals might also conduct a physical examination and give the person an assessment of their psychological health.
The provider will also consider the person's mood and whether or not any other conditions such as depression, anxiety or medical conditions can cause similar symptoms to ADHD. They will also inquire about the history of family and friends and lifestyle habits, as well as any other mental health issues the person might be suffering from.
Adults with ADHD might feel a sense of relief to discover that they're not "lazy or unmotivated". They may also feel frustrated that they weren't diagnosed earlier or the negative impact that untreated ADHD had on their lives and that of others. They might also be anger at their teachers, parents or healthcare professionals for not recognizing the signs and treating them. They might also feel a sense of sadness over missed opportunities, and the effects untreated ADHD has had on their relationships.
3. Fidgeting
The signs of ADHD in adults look somewhat different from what they do for kids. Adults can hide the signs of hyperactivity better, while other health problems like depression or anxiety may overshadow it.
Fidgeting is an indication of ADHD. You can think of it as your body's attempt to calm your nerves and help you concentrate. It can manifest as notes or doodles written during a meeting, or tapping your feet or biting your nail. In fact, some studies show that people with ADHD are able to concentrate better when they are allowed to fidget.
Disruptiveness can also be a sign of ADHD. It may manifest as difficulty in following directions, ignoring important deadlines or dates or not being punctual. You might find yourself having trouble keeping up with work or social commitments and having financial difficulties because of impulse-driven purchases. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults with ADHD may be frustrated and underachieved because they aren't living up to their full potential.
It is important to recognize the symptoms of ADHD in yourself so you can seek out help. It is important to test out various dosages and medications to determine which works best for you. In addition to medications, counseling and creating structures in your life can help to manage ADHD symptoms.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can trigger various emotions, including happiness that you now have a reason to explain your difficulties and aren't being labeled as lazy, sloppy or unmotivated. You might be angry or frustrated that you weren't diagnosed or treated when you were an infant. You might also be concerned about the effect that untreated ADHD can have on your career and relationship.
4. Disruptiveness
ADHD symptoms in adults are often different from the symptoms of teenagers or children. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are all common. This can make it difficult to manage assignments, meet deadlines, and build good relationships.
In adults, the signs are less obvious and could be present across many aspects of daily life. For instance, those with ADHD might have trouble staying still and are frequently anxious when watching TV, reading or at work. They might also have trouble engaging in leisure activities and other hobbies at a comfortable pace. Additionally, they may have difficulty keeping their emotions in check and are more prone to react too quickly or get upset than other people.
The difficulties of planning and organizing can become more noticeable as we grow older, without the structure of school and parental guidance. This can result in procrastination and difficulties organising household bills and appointments, as well as working on tasks. People with ADHD may find it difficult to stop or begin tasks and may have trouble assessing the long-term impact of their actions.
ADHD and adults symptoms is typically treated with stimulant medications. These are designed to help people focus better and be less impulsive, as well as feel calmer. These are available on prescription from a psychiatrist or GP who specializes in treating the condition. It is important to discuss any other medications they're taking prior to deciding on the use of stimulants with a healthcare provider, as certain medications interact with them.
Non-stimulant drugs are available for people suffering from ADHD like Guanfacine and atomoxetine. These medications are not as effective and can take several weeks before they begin working. However, they can be an option for those who do not wish to take stimulant medications due to medical reasons or are unable to take it for medical reasons.
5. Impulsivity
While the official ADHD symptoms that involve inattention and hyperactive behaviours get most of the attention, impulsivity can cause serious problems for adults suffering from ADHD as well. It's unfortunate that impulsivity isn't given the proper attention when it is a part of ADHD diagnosis, since it's an integral part of the disorder and creates more problems than other symptom of ADHD.
For adults with an impulsive ADHD, trouble with self-control can be an ongoing battle. It can lead to embarrassing mistakes that can affect social standing and relationships. Additionally to that, an impulsive ADHD can be dangerous and can be harmful to health and well-being.
People who suffer from impulsive ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and may have a harder time managing their finances or driving. They are more likely to experience mood swings and anger-related outbursts. People suffering from ADHD may have smaller Amygdala. This could be linked to the inability to control their impulses.
Adults who suffer from hyperactive ADHD are also more likely to interrupt other people, and they may be unable to wait for their turn in lines or in conversations. They may respond to questions before they are finished or even take over activities or games. They are usually disrespectful of rules and the property of others.
You can learn to control your impulses if you suffer from impulsive ADHD. For example, regular aerobic exercise helps with all ADHD symptoms that include the impulsivity. Try to do 30 minutes of exercise each day to get your heart rate up. Also, think about the past incidents of impulsivity to 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 take a while before they start working, but can help improve the control of impulses.