Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
Symptoms of ADHD can make life challenging for adults. However, getting a diagnosis may help them get control of their symptoms so they can succeed at home and work.
Talking with your GP is the best way to begin an assessment. They can refer you to the appropriate service for you, including community mental health services or special neurodevelopmental services.
1. Inattention
If you suffer from ADHD your brain's automatic system of attention might not function in the same way. In the end, you may miss important information at work or in school and have difficulty remembering things. It can also be difficult to concentrate on tasks that require continuous concentration, such as writing, math or reading. It can be difficult to be patient in games or conversations. You may answer questions before others have completed. You might be having trouble waiting for your phone to ring or interrupt people at inappropriate times.
Children suffering from ADHD typically overcome the impulsivity and hyperactivity they display, however inattention-related symptoms persist and cause difficulties for a lot of adults. People who are mostly inattentive ADHD typically have difficulty being on task at home, at school and at work. This type of ADHD can have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms.
Adults who have a tendency to inattention-related symptoms may be more troubled if their daily lives become more complicated and stressful. This can occur when a person moves out of the home with their family and goes to the workplace. New tasks, like caring for a young child can cause an increase in anxiety and stress.
There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, including lifestyle modifications, diet, and medication. Drugs that stimulate like methylphenidate Adderall and amphetamines can help reduce symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also an option for some individuals who don't like stimulants or who don't respond to them. Your physician can suggest the most effective treatment options for you. They will evaluate your medical history and symptoms and identify any medical issues that could be contributing to them, and suggest the most effective treatment options.
2. Hyperactivity
People suffering from ADHD are prone to having difficulty staying focused on their task. ADHD symptoms in women adults may make careless errors at work or school, or jump from one task to the next. People with ADHD tend to forget important dates and events and are unable to follow routines. They might be unable to keep their belongings in order 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. For a diagnosis healthcare professionals will examine the patient's experience with ADHD symptoms as a child, and later in the early years of adulthood, talk to relatives, friends and coworkers 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 an examination of the body and conduct a psychological test.
The provider will also consider the person's mood, and whether or not other medical conditions such as anxiety, depression or medical issues could cause similar symptoms to ADHD. They will also ask about the history of family and friends and lifestyle habits, as well as any other mental health issues the person may have.
Many adults who suffer from ADHD will feel a sense of relief after finding a reason for their struggles and discovering that they are not 'lazy or unwilling'. They may also be frustrated about the fact that they were not diagnosed when younger, or at the impact untreated ADHD has had on their lives as well as the lives of those around them. They might also be anger at their parents, teachers, or healthcare providers for not noticing the symptoms and treating them. They might also feel a sense of sadness over missed opportunities and the impact untreated ADHD has affected their relationships.
3. Fidgeting
ADHD symptoms in adults differ from those of children. Adults are able to hide more easily, and other health problems like depression or anxiety may overshadow it.
Fidgeting is a sign of ADHD. It is the body's attempt at calming your nerves and focus. It could manifest in notes or doodles written during a meeting or tapping your feet or biting your nail. In fact, some studies show that people suffering from ADHD are actually more focused if they are allowed to play.
Disruptiveness can also be a symptom of ADHD. It may manifest in the form of difficulty in following directions, ignoring important dates or deadlines, or not being punctual. You may find yourself having trouble keeping up with work or social commitments and struggling with finances due to impulsive purchases. Adults with ADHD may be frustrated and underachieving because they're not 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 crucial to test out different dosages and medicines to find the one that is most effective for you. In addition to medications counseling and establishing the right structure in your life can help to manage ADHD symptoms.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can bring up various emotions such as happiness that you now have an explanation for your issues and aren't being judged as lazy, sloppy or unmotivated. You may also feel anger or frustration that you were never diagnosed and treated as a child, and sadness about the impact untreated ADHD has had on your professional life and relationships.
4. Disruptiveness
Symptoms of ADHD in adults often differ from those of children and teenagers. However, inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity are all common. This can make it difficult to keep up with the demands of work, keep track of deadlines, and establish good relationships.
In adults, the symptoms are less obvious and could be evident in many aspects of daily life. For instance, those with ADHD might have trouble being still and frequently anxious when reading, watching TV or at work. They might also have difficulty engaging in hobbies and leisure activities at a comfortable pace. Additionally, they may struggle to keep their emotions under control and are more likely to react too quickly or get upset than other people.
As they age, they may have more difficulty in organising and planning. This is because they aren't receiving the guidance and structure of school. This can lead to procrastination, issues with household bills, appointments and completing tasks at work. People who suffer from ADHD may find it difficult to stop or start tasks, and may struggle to evaluate the long-term consequences of their actions.
Stimulant medication is the most frequently used treatment for adults with ADHD. These drugs are designed to help people focus better, feel calmer and less dependent. These are available on prescription from a psychiatrist or GP who is skilled in treating the condition. Patients should discuss any other medication they're taking prior to deciding on the use of stimulants with a health care provider, as some drugs interact with them.
There are also non-stimulant medicines for adult ADHD, including atomoxetine, bupropion and guanfacine. These are less effective than stimulants and can take a few weeks to start working, but are an alternative for those who do not wish to take stimulant medications or who are unable to use it due to medical reasons.
5. Impulsivity
While the most well-known ADHD symptoms of inattentiveness and hyperactivity get the most attention, impulsivity can also be an important issue for adults with ADHD. It's a shame that impulsivity is not given enough consideration when it comes to ADHD diagnoses, since it's a major component of the disorder. It also causes more problems than any of the other symptoms of ADHD.
For those who suffer from the disorder of impulsive ADHD, trouble with self-control is usually an ongoing battle. It can lead to embarrassing mistakes that affect the status of relationships and social standing. In addition the impulsive ADHD can be dangerous and detrimental to health and well-being.
People with hyper-impulsive ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviour and may be more difficult to manage their finances or driving. They are more likely to have mood swings and anger outbursts. People with ADHD might have an enlarged Amygdala. This could be due to an inability to control their impulses.
Adults with impulsive ADHD might also have difficulty waiting their turn in lines or conversations. They may scream out answers before the question has been answered or take over games or activities. They usually show little or no regard for rules or other people's property.
You can learn to control your impulses if you have impulsive ADHD. Regular aerobic exercise, for example, helps with all ADHD symptoms including the impulsivity. Make sure you do 30 minutes of exercise every day to keep your heart rate up. Also, consider your past impulsive moments so that you can identify the triggers for you and prepare to address them in the future. You may also ask your physician to prescribe non-stimulant ADHD medication, which takes a while to start working but improves the control of impulses.