Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, cannot seem to get your work done, and are easily distracted, you may be suffering from symptoms of ADHD that are causing stress in your life.
The symptoms of adult ADHD can range from mild to severe. They can cause problems in more than one setting such as at home, school as well as at work.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble staying concentrate and are unable to sit still. These symptoms can affect both children and adults alike, and can have a an adverse impact on a person's day-to-day life at school, work and at home.
Focus issues can be a frustrating experience, particularly since it's a constant issue and can cause low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness and being unsuccessful. It can also lead to health problems, such as missed doctor's appointments, not taking prescribed medication, and eating or drinking excessively fast food. It can also cause financial problems, such as late payments of bills or an increase in overdrafts due to impulse purchases.
People suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to stay on task however, they might be able to focus very intensely on tasks that interest them - a phenomenon known as hyperfocus. This is a great benefit in certain situations, but it is harder to handle when you are doing everyday tasks like paying bills, shopping for groceries or preparing documents.
Additionally, people with ADHD are also prone to being impulsive and can easily get distracted by phone calls, text messages or social media, TV and music. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks at school or at work. It also can affect their relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
To determine if symptoms of ADHD in adults female is suffering from ADHD, the health care professional will ask about their childhood behaviors and school experiences. They will then conduct an interview with the person and their parents, if possible, to gain additional information. They will use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to examine how an adult's symptoms affect their daily life. They will also conduct psychological tests and physical examinations that can help identify medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
2. Inattention to Specifics
People suffering from ADHD may become so absorbed by an activity that it is difficult to notice those around them. They can also forget important details, or not follow up on an exchange, which could cause them to misunderstand relationships. They also tend to make snap decisions without thinking through the consequences. This could include risky behavior and inability to study for tests, affairs, quitting jobs, spending too much money and even aggressive actions like throwing or hitting objects.
A mental health professional is unable to diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that symptoms are present in different settings and are interfering with school, work, or social activities. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This includes having five or more symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. The symptoms should be present for at least six month and interfere with the person’s functioning in different settings. Often, a healthcare provider will meet with the person's life partner or someone close to them and request a medical history.
The symptoms of predominantly inattentional ADHD are more common and can be described as attention lapses, trouble keeping track of tasks, overlooking details and losing things. Those with this type of ADHD usually show these symptoms throughout their lives, but they are not as prominent as the symptoms of predominantly hyperactive/impulsive ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD can overcome their difficulties by identifying the specific issues they face and adapting their surroundings and habits to compensate for their specific challenges. They can also seek advice from a medical professional and take steps to improve their social abilities. There are numerous options for adults suffering from ADHD to develop and maintain friendships and support groups for peers.
3. Losing Things
Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble finding things such as keys phones, wallets, or keys. They also tend not to locate papers or other items that are needed to attend school or work. This can be frustrating.
The main reason for losing things is common in people with ADHD is because the disorder affects the way the brain processes information. Working memory, which helps you to juggle old and new information, is weakened. It's easy to lose the track of what you've have just heard, how to follow a recipe or the grocery list when this occurs.
Some people with ADHD are also having trouble staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can lead poor performance reviews, stressed relationships with coworkers, as well as financial difficulties because of late payments or spending too much. It may be helpful to look into a variety of options for managing symptoms, such as psychotherapy and medication.
Some experts believe dietary changes including high protein foods, can help reduce ADHD symptoms. It's also important to eliminate sugary foods and drinks, as these can cause mood fluctuations and make it more difficult to focus. Engaging in mindfulness or meditation techniques can also improve concentration. However, these techniques have not been scientifically proven to treat ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
People suffering from ADHD often forget to do things. They may forget to attend appointments, not get groceries, or leave the house without keys. This could have a significant impact on their day-to-day life and relationships. The people in their lives might perceive this as a lack of care or may think it's because the person is unorganized. People who don't have a diagnosis of ADHD might also have problems sustaining attention or following instructions at work and school, leading to delays in deadlines and errors.
If you suspect that you have ADHD, you should talk with your GP to get an appointment with a doctor of health care who can evaluate people suffering from ADHD. A specialist will look at factors like your mood, medical history and whether you have other problems that can cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD such as anxiety or addiction to substances.
To be eligible for an ADHD diagnoses, someone must demonstrate that their ADHD symptoms cause significant disability in at least two areas of their lives, such as school, work, or family, and that the challenges are not caused by other conditions like anxiety or depression. A healthcare professional will go over a person's past behavior, talk with them about their issues and observe them in the course of their actions. They may also seek feedback from their family members.
For adults who are diagnosed with ADHD can provide relief and a sense of hope. It can help people understand that they're not a failure or an insignificant person, and it can help them develop strategies to manage their ADHD including learning to prioritize tasks and stay organized. This will help them achieve their goals to make positive changes in life, and build a more solid network of support.
5. Inattentiveness
Although hyperactivity isn't a sign of inattentive ADHD, adults with this type may struggle with inability to focus and difficulty staying focused. They may find it hard to concentrate in meetings at work or complete college assignments. They may be unintentionally negligent at home, or forget to pay their bills. Their lives may be thrown off track because they fail to meet deadlines or losing a job. Inattention ADHD symptoms can cause issues with family relationships.
Many people with inattentive ADHD endure for a long time before getting diagnosed. Friends and coworkers may label them as irresponsible or lazy. Inattention and a lack of organization can cause them to feel overwhelmed. Inability to finish tasks on time and their frequent errors might result in financial issues and work issues or even legal troubles.
A healthcare professional must confirm that the symptoms first started before the age of 12 years old. He or she must also determine if the disorder is causing impairment in two major situations (like work and school). The signs of impairment include not attending important meetings at work and not paying bills on time, failing academically in college, failing to complete tasks or chores at home and putting themselves into debt due to excessive spending.
During an ADHD evaluation, the health professional will go over the medical history of the patient and perform other tests like eye or hearing tests to rule out any physical ailments. The health care professional will also speak to the person about their symptoms, lifestyle and work and home life. The doctor will look for evidence that suggests symptoms have been present since childhood, such as old report cards or conversations with family members.