Adult ADHD Symptoms
If you've lost your keys again or feel that you're always running late, or find it difficult to keep track of your bills and appointments, these symptoms could be signs of adult ADHD. Find out how to recognize them and what they're saying about you.
adhd symptoms women needs to collect an exhaustive history in order to determine the cause of ADHD. This is to make sure that there aren't any other conditions that might be causing similar symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Most people with ADHD struggle with focus or keeping their attention on their tasks. They may forget important details or not follow through on plans. They may also make careless mistakes that can have a major impact on their lives and career.
ADHD symptoms are most prevalent in childhood, but they can also persist into adulthood. Many adults who never receive an official diagnosis of ADHD have issues with procrastination, disorganization and difficulty following through on tasks and projects at work or in their private lives. They might feel annoyed or embarrassed that they are unable to put things in order. They may even believe they are lazy or irresponsible.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are often criticized for not paying attention to others, or making careless mistakes that can lead to serious consequences. For example they might miss appointments, fail to pay bills on time, or fail to respond to calls from friends. These problems can lead to an insecurity about their self-worth or a feeling that they are failing. Health problems that are not treated like depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue as well as heart disease, diabetes and sleep disorders are also at risk.
Someone who exhibits inattention symptoms of ADHD is likely to have a family history of the disorder. It's important to note that these symptoms may also occur in people who do not have an ancestral history. A clinical evaluation will determine if a patient is suffering from attention deficit disorder, or whether there are other factors that may be responsible for their inattention. These include stress and anxiety, mineral deficiencies, hearing or vision issues, cognitive decline, or medications such as sleeping aids, antibiotics or allergy medication.
A person with inattention ADHD is often assisted with psychostimulants, which help to improve brain signaling and help improve concentration and focus. Other treatments such as physical exercise and diet can also be used to reduce the inattentive symptoms that are associated with ADHD.
2. Hyperactivity
As we age the tendency to be impulsive and hyperactive is less likely to show as being distracted or racing through tasks. They could be a problem however, if someone is agitated and overwhelmed by their desires and demands or responsibilities. They could be in trouble at work if they fail to adhere to rules and regulations, or if they don't pay their bills in time. They might also be having issues managing their money and relationships.
It's not uncommon for people with ADHD to have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms. They may think that their symptoms are an ordinary part of being an adult or is how they've always been. If these problems are affecting your everyday life, it's time to take a look at getting a diagnosis.
During the interview the health professional will be looking for symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition, by the American Psychiatric Association. The health professional will also look over the medical history of the patient that includes psychiatric problems and family history. The person's work and personal life will also be discussed to determine how ADHD symptoms are affecting them.
People with inattention ADHD tend to lose important items like keys, wallet, or phone. They might also forget their assignments, fail to submit papers or miss appointments. They are often unable to sit in one place for extended periods of time, and they may feel restless or uncomfortable.
People who suffer from hyperactive ADHD tend to talk before thinking or make comments that don't make sense or interrupt other people during conversations. They might be tempted to take or use things without authorization, and they usually find it difficult to wait their turn.
3. Problems with Organization
Undiagnosed ADHD can make people feel like a mess. The symptoms of this disorder are difficult to manage, especially when they reach adulthood and can cause problems in virtually every area of life. People who suffer from this condition frequently experience a sense of shame and frustration that they are unable to manage to put their lives together or reach their full potential. Disorganization and procrastination can result in stress, anxiety and depression.
The diagnosis of adhd can bring relief to people who feel that they're a mess and aren't as good as other people. It can help them understand that their difficulties in life are not due to a lack effort or intelligence but rather to a chemical imbalance which can be treated by treatment with medication and behavioral therapy.
Inattention ADHD symptoms in adults can manifest as a million little projects that are conceived but never completed, like the garden that was planted, but was not watered, or the new organization system that was assembled but was then abandoned. These can also show up at work in the form of missed deadlines as well as unfinished documents or papers that are submitted for review, and an urge to rush through tasks without being sure to review them thoroughly as their brains are aching to jump into the next task instead.
It's important to keep in mind that some of these symptoms can be confused with signs of normal aging, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), so it's best to talk to your doctor if you believe that this could be the situation for you. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who will be able to confirm or exclude the possibility of ADHD in older adults.
4. Lack of Motivation
For those who have been diagnosed with ADHD in the past, a lack of motivation is often a key sign. It can cause major difficulties in the life of a person especially in relationships. It can also cause lots of stress and issues at home, at work or at school, as well as with finances. It's important to try to find ways to tackle this issue and seek assistance when needed.
People with ADHD typically find it difficult to focus on tasks that are monotonous or boring and can be easily distracted by things that appear more interesting, exciting or even enjoyable. This can result in a vicious cycle in which the person becomes bored with their job, their responsibilities and even with life generally. They become even less motivated.
Being demotivated or lacking motivation can also be a sign of an underlying mental health issue like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. It can also be caused by physical ailments such as chronic fatigue syndrome or brain tumors.
A lack of motivation can be a sign that someone has relapsed into old patterns.
If you or someone you know has trouble with motivation, a proper diagnosis and effective treatment are the first steps to getting better and performing more effectively in both your professional and personal life. Ask your GP to refer you to a health professional who can conduct an ADHD evaluation of adults. They might suggest you contact your local hospital affiliated with a university or graduate school to find an expert who is experienced in working with people of this age.
5. Fatigue
People with ADHD often feel tired and depleted of energy. This can be due to inadequate sleep, inactivity or a diet that is unhealthy. It can be a sign of health conditions and diseases, such as low sugar, thyroid disorders or heart disease.
If a person is experiencing fatigue for a long time, and it has impacted their everyday activities it is recommended to talk to their doctor about it. They can assess the symptoms and rule out any other causes. They can order scans of urine and imaging to check for physical causes like deficiency or infections of minerals or vitamins. They may also ask about recent stressors, such as relationship issues or changes in employment.
The doctor will also consider the lifestyle of the patient, as well as any previous mental health issues like anxiety or depression. They can interview and utilize questionnaires to better understand the patient's mood and behavior. They will ask whether the patient is drowsy or weak when they are fatigued, as this can indicate a different underlying reason.
The doctor will look at how the patient is able to manage everyday tasks such as paying bills, attending appointments and following routines at work or home. They will also determine if there are any previous diagnoses of ADHD, and if the symptoms have changed over time. They will assess the inattention symptom to see how it impacts the person's life today. They will also take into consideration the severity of the symptoms as defined in DSM-5. They will also consider the gender of the person since men are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than women.