Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
Adults with ADHD may have a difficult time to deal with. If diagnosed as ADHD, they can manage their symptoms and reach their goals at home and at work.
Talking to your doctor is the best way to begin an assessment. They can refer you the appropriate service, such as community mental health or neurodevelopmental services.
1. Attention
If you have ADHD your brain's automatic attention system might not function as well. As a result, you may miss important information at work or in school and may have difficulty remembering things. You might also have trouble focusing on tasks that require sustained attention like reading, writing or math problems. You may have difficulty taking your time during conversations or games. You may blurt out answers before other people have completed asking questions. You might have trouble waiting for your phone to ring or disturb people at inappropriate times.
Children with ADHD often outgrow the impulsivity and hyperactivity they display, however inattentive symptoms continue to cause challenges for many adults. People who have a predominant inattentive type of ADHD typically have difficulty staying on task at school, at home and at work. Symptoms of this type of ADHD can be mild, moderate or severe.
Inattentive symptoms in adults are more troublesome when a person's daily life becomes more complex and stressful. This may happen when someone leaves the home of their parents and moves into the work environment. The new tasks, like taking care of a child in the early years can cause an increase in anxiety and stress.
There are a variety of treatments available for people with adult ADHD, including lifestyle changes, diet and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine-based drugs (Adderall) can help reduce symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine (Strattera) are also an option for people who can't tolerate stimulants or who don't respond to them. Your health care provider will be able to recommend the best treatment options for you. They will evaluate your symptoms and past history looking for medical conditions that might be causing them and suggest effective treatments.
2. Hyperactivity
People with ADHD may have difficulty staying focused on their task. They can make erroneous mistakes at work or school or jump from one task to the next. People with ADHD often forget important dates or events and have trouble keeping track of routines. They might 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 care providers will examine the patient's background of ADHD symptoms as a child, and later in the early years of adulthood, talk to relatives, friends, coworkers, or others who know them well and then use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. Health care professionals or mental health specialists can also conduct an examination on the body and give the person an assessment of their psychological health.
The provider will also consider the person's mood and whether other disorders like depression, anxiety or a medical condition could cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. They will also ask about the family and social history, lifestyle habits and any other mental health issues that the person might have.
Adults with ADHD may feel relieved to know that they're not 'lazy or unwilling'. They might also be frustrated for not being diagnosed earlier or the negative impact that untreated ADHD affected their lives and that of others. They may also feel angry at their parents, teachers or healthcare professionals for not noticing the symptoms and treating them. They might also feel a sense of sadness over missed opportunities, and the effects not being treated for ADHD has affected their relationships.
3. Fidgeting
ADHD symptoms in adults are different from those of children. Adults can hide more easily, and other health issues like anxiety or depression can mask it.
Fidgeting is among the most common symptoms of ADHD. You can think of it as your body's way of trying to ease your tension and help you concentrate. It could manifest as doodles or writing notes during a meeting tapping your feet, or biting your nails. Some research has shown that people suffering from ADHD are more focused when they are able to fidget.
Disruptiveness is another symptom of ADHD in adults. It may manifest as trouble following instructions, being punctual, or forgetting important deadlines or events. You might find yourself frequently missing work or social commitments and may struggle with money due to impulsive spending. Adults suffering from ADHD often feel that they are not doing enough and frustration due to not achieving their 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 determine which one is most effective for you. In addition to medication counseling and establishing structure in your life can help to manage ADHD symptoms.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD can bring up a range of emotions and feelings, including satisfaction that you have an explanation for your issues and aren't being labelled as lazy, incompetent, or unmotivated. It is possible to feel angry or frustrated for not being diagnosed and treated when you were in your early years. You might also be sad about the impact untreated ADHD can have on your career and relationship.
4. Disruptiveness
Symptoms of ADHD in adults can differ from those of children and teenagers. Hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity are not uncommon. This can make it difficult to keep up with assignments, meet deadlines, and develop good relationships.
In symptoms of ADHD in adults , the symptoms are more subtle and may be present across many aspects of our lives. For example, people with ADHD may have trouble staying still and are frequently anxious when reading, watching TV or at work. They might also have difficulty doing leisure activities and hobbies at a comfortable pace. Additionally, they may be unable to keep their emotions under control and are more likely to react too quickly or get upset more frequently than other people.
The difficulties of planning and organizing can become more noticeable as people move into adulthood without the structure of school or parental guidance. This can result in procrastination and difficulties organizing household bills, appointments or completing work tasks. People with ADHD may find it difficult to stop or begin tasks and they may have difficulty in assessing the long-term effects of their actions.
Stimulant medications are the most frequently used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These are designed to help people concentrate better and less impulsive. They also help people feel more peaceful. They can be purchased on prescription and are available by a psychiatrist or a doctor who specialises in the condition. When considering stimulants, patients should discuss their other medications with their health care provider. Certain drugs may interact with them.
Non-stimulant drugs are available for those suffering from ADHD such as Guanfacine and atomoxetine. They are not as effective as stimulants and require a period of time to kick in, but are an option for those who don't want to use stimulant medication or cannot take it for medical reasons.
5. ADHD symptoms in adulthood
While the most well-known ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity draw the most attention, impulsivity is also a significant problem for those who suffer from ADHD. It's a shame that impulsivity is not given enough consideration when it comes to ADHD diagnosis, since it's a major part of the disorder. It also causes more problems than any of the other symptoms of ADHD.
For those who suffer from impulsive ADHD issues with self-control is usually an ongoing battle. It can lead to embarrassing mistakes that can affect the status of relationships and social standing. It could also be harmful to your health and well-being.
People who suffer from impulsive ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and may be more difficult to manage their finances or driving. They are more likely to suffer from mood swings and express anger-related outbursts. Research has shown that people with ADHD have an amygdala that is smaller, which may link to less control over their impulses.
Adults with impulsive ADHD may also have trouble waiting their turn in conversations or lines. They may blurt out answers before the question is finished or even take over games or activities. They are usually disrespectful of rules and other people's property.
You can learn to manage your impulses if you have an impulsive ADHD. For example, regular aerobic exercise helps with all ADHD symptoms, including the impulsivity. To increase your heart rate try to do 30 minutes per day of exercise. Also, think about the past incidents of impulsivity to identify the triggers for you and how you can deal with them in the future. You could also ask your doctor to prescribe non-stimulant ADHD medication, which takes a while to kick in but can improve your control over impulses.