Symptoms For ADHD in Adults
Symptoms for ADHD for adults include having trouble staying organized, following rules at school or work and paying attention to small details. People who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty being able to listen to others, which leads to misunderstandings.
ADHD can cause significant impairments in many areas that include issues at school or at work, arguments with partners and financial issues as a result of excessive spending.
severe ADHD symptoms adults with inattentive ADHD frequently overlook particulars, fail to complete tasks, and make erroneous mistakes. They may also have problems paying attention in the workplace or at school, and have trouble keeping appointments. These issues can cause trouble at school, in the workplace and in relationships. Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to experience inattentive symptoms.
People with this type of ADHD may have trouble concentration in noisy or crowded classrooms, completing assignments at college and attending business meetings. They aren't able to return calls, pay bills or send birthday cards on time. They might have a messy house or office, with unorganized files and clothes on the floor.
Attention-deficit ADHD can also trigger forgetfulness, and the inability to remember important dates such as medical appointments, or sports practice schedules. They may also easily get distracted by TV, music or conversations with a friend. Inattentive ADHD can also result in poor performance at work or failing grades at school.
To be considered a diagnosed adult with inattentive ADHD must satisfy at minimum six of the nine indicators of inattention identified in the latest edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5). A health professional could ask about these issues when interviewing a patient. They'll ask the length of time these issues have been around and when they started, what other factors might have contributed to them, and how much impact the symptoms have had on the patient's life.
A health care professional might also ask the person being interviewed share an inventory of his or her symptoms and how they impact the home, work and relationship with others. They might also ask the patient to share their childhood experiences and how they affected their behavior.
Many adults who have inattentive ADHD also have hyperactivity/impulsivity or combined ADHD, which is the most prevalent form of the disorder in children and adolescents. They tend to have at least six symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity and at least six inattention symptoms. Experts aren't sure what causes ADHD but they believe it's due to changes in brain structure or brain chemistry. They also know it can be passed down through the family, but some people get it on their own.
Hyperactivity
Adult hyperactivity and impulsivity can be very different from those seen in children. Women typically have fewer of these symptoms, and are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. They might still struggle with impulsivity and restlessness. For instance, they could interrupt conversations or other people frequently. They may also forget appointments and other commitments, or lose things easily. They might be unable to discern social boundaries in a particular situation and could intrude on others frequently without realizing they could be viewed as rude.
It can be difficult to determine adult ADHD. This is partly because there are many conditions that mimic the symptoms of ADHD. These include anxiety disorders, mood disorders issues, head injuries and certain medications, such as antidepressants or steroids. People with these other ailments may be incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD or their problems might be due to something else.
A medical professional will usually test an adult for ADHD by asking about their childhood behavior, school experiences and symptoms. They will usually use standardized ADHD symptom checklists and questionnaires with rating scales. They may interview the person, their partner, parents or family members, or close friends to find out about the symptoms and the history of ADHD. They may ask for physical examinations or conduct psychological tests that test working memory, executive function and visual and spatial abilities.
It is essential for a health care provider to assess the level of difficulty the symptoms of ADHD can cause a person in their daily lives. Making a diagnosis that is accurate is crucial as it's the initial step in treating and managing symptoms that can cause major problems at social, home and work situations. This can include losing a job, experiencing tensions with loved ones, or financial issues caused by excessive spending. This could mean being placed on academic probation at college because of poor performance. It is crucial to seek help before their issue gets too overwhelming or causes legal issues or poor physical health. Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might feel misunderstood or judged unfairly. They can find support from their peers in adult ADHD peer groups. These are typically run by organisations that provide treatment for ADHD.
Impulsivity
People with ADHD struggle to manage their impulsive behavior. Their impulsive behavior can cause problems in their lives like not being able to complete work tasks in time or putting themselves in dangerous situations. It can be difficult to keep track of their finances, which can lead to them spending more than they're able to afford. This could lead to financial problems, credit issues, and stress within their relationships.
Additionally, impulsive signs of ADHD can affect job performance and relationships. It can also negatively impact the person's confidence and make them feel embarrassed or ashamed about their mistakes. While impulsivity is only a small part of the ADHD symptoms, it is able to cause more issues for adults than any other core manifestation.
The signs of impulsivity associated with ADHD include the inability to stop or delay an action and acting without thinking about the consequences. You might interrupt a speech, leave your seat in class to chat, or make impulsive purchases. These actions may seem insignificant and unimportant in their own right however, when they are repeated repeatedly they can have a major impact on your life.
For instance, you could not meet deadlines at work; lose your job due to uncontrollable behavior, or struggle with your spouse due to impulsive comments or actions; or end up in debt due to reckless spending. They might be irritated by your actions, but you should never let them down. They can be supportive by gently reminding you to control your reckless behavior. They can also urge you to spend some time with yourself after work to allow you to relax.
You could ask your GP to conduct an ADHD assessment if your symptoms are affecting you. You can also request an ADHD assessment to be conducted by a psychiatrist or psychologist who is registered. They will employ a variety of tools to assess ADHD using a checklist and standard behavior ratings as well as information from family members and friends. They'll also conduct neurological and psychological tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar issues.
Emotional Stress
Many people with ADHD struggle to control their emotions. This can make it difficult to maintain a high level of performance at school or at work. They may feel an overwhelming need to complete everything quickly, and they may get overwhelmed and angry when their tasks take more time or effort than they anticipated. They might also miss important tasks or appointments, and abandon unfinished projects due to being distracted. This could lead them to be criticized for procrastination and inability to follow-through.
The ability to regulate emotions and impulses can be more difficult for people who have a more severe version of the disorder. These adults experience feelings that are more intense and last for longer in the form of depression or anxiety. They may be unable to interpret the emotions of others and may misinterpret negative feedback. This can cause a low sense of self-worth and difficulty in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships.
Adults with ADHD might have emotional issues that are more difficult to diagnose because they tend to be subtler. They might also go unnoticed. For extreme ADHD symptoms adults that an adult with ADHD resists committing to an appointment or arrangement due to the fear that they may not "feel like" doing it in the future the people around them may believe that their behavior is merely avoidance or a lack of motivation. These issues in emotional regulation are due to the challenges people are having in anticipating and managing their emotions in the future.
Hanline describes emotional meltdowns as a scenario where people who suffer from emotional regulation issues are so overwhelmed they react to events like children throwing temper tantrums. They might yell, scream or cry and are unable to think clearly.
Adults with ADHD can avoid meltdowns by being able to recognize symptoms of emotional distress. They can also maintain an optimistic outlook on life. They can practice pausing - a series behaviors that slow down responses, such as taking deep breaths or counting to 10, before responding to a trigger. They can also develop a proactive plan to deal with a potential meltdown.