Symptoms of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
A person with ADHD may appear to be naive and may make many mistakes, or forget things. But the same traits can bring amazing energy, enthusiasm, and out-of-the-box thinking.
Family physicians can spot ADD symptoms through an extensive interview, usually assisted by rating scales. They can request older reports or call relatives to get details about childhood behavior.
1. Inattention or lack of Focus
When people aren't able to concentrate, they might make mistakes at work or forget important social gatherings with their friends. In addition, a lack of focus could result from a variety of mental and medical ailments, including depression, anxiety and stress, as well as certain types of medications. These conditions can be addressed to help improve concentration.
Adults who suffer from ADHD report feeling tired and exhausted, which makes it hard to stay focused. All of these things can aid in getting enough sleep eating less sugary food and coffee, and taking time to unwind and relieve stress.
Adults with ADD typically feel that boredom or discontent is the main cause of their inability to concentrate. These feelings can make it hard to finish tasks, which in turn leads to poor performance on the job as well as difficult relationships at home. In addition, some people with ADD struggle to remain engaged in hobbies or in leisure activities.
The symptoms of attention deficit disorder in adults may be more subtle than in children, and a lot of people suffering from ADHD are unaware they have the condition until it becomes apparent in their personal or professional life. If you're always late, unorganized, and unable to meet deadlines, you should consult a professional for a diagnosis of ADHD.
The good news is that treatment can significantly reduce the symptoms of attention deficit disorder, which can help you perform better at work as well as in your personal life. Treatment for ADD includes behavioral therapy and prescribed medications, such as stimulants. Managing add symptoms in adults of this neuropsychiatric condition can reduce problems at home and on the job, bringing you closer to your family and achieving your career goals.
2. Hyperactivity
Unlike the predominately inattentive type of ADHD (formerly known as ADD), people with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are fidgety, restless and often interrupt others. They may have difficulty waiting their turn in school or at work or in sports or other leisure activities with too much energy. They might be able to blurt out answers to questions before they're completely asked. They might also have a difficult time staying focused on their tasks and want to complete these tasks in order to get started on something else.
Hyperactivity is the most recognizable sign of ADHD in children, but it can persist into adulthood, too. Approximately 14.6% of adults who meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition criteria for ADHD have hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This is slightly higher than that of adults with the inattention-deficit form of ADHD.
Inattention ADHD manifests as disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty staying focused at school or work. These symptoms can impact relationships and lead to problems at school or at work. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also manifest at home. People with the disorder may have trouble keeping their house clean or performing chores. They might frequently get lost items or be late for appointments or shifts at work.
While ADHD can be a major challenge, it can also bring enthusiasm energy, enthusiasm, and out of the box thinking. People with ADD who receive the right assistance and treatment can learn how to manage their symptoms, and reach their professional and personal goals. This will aid them in improving their quality of life and have long, healthy relationships. They can also benefit by receiving professional guidance on how to structure their life, make behavioural adjustments and, if necessary, prescribe medication.
3. Impulsivity
A hallmark of the hyperactive-impulsive presentation of ADHD, impulsivity is a tendency to speak or act without considering consequences. It is caused by a decrease in activity in prefrontal cortex, and atypical regulation of dopamine. These factors impact the process of making decisions and reward processing. People suffering from ADHD tend to make decisions impulsively at work, within their relationships and in their daily lives. These insufficiencies in impulse control can affect their budgets, lead to erratic health decisions, and can exacerbate mental disorders that are co-occurring, like anxiety and depression.
The urge to be impulsive isn't necessarily a negative thing. However it may feel like an intense desire to act and you'll feel burnt if resist. It's crucial to identify the triggers and emotions that can trigger the impulsive behavior and come up with strategies to overcome them.
For example, you may be triggered to shop online when feeling sad or depressed because you feel instant satisfaction of adding items to your cart. You can also bring a fidget toy or notebooks with you for meetings to help harness your exuberant energy.
In some cases an impulsivity disorder could be the only symptom meeting diagnostic criteria for ADHD. In this case the patient is suffering from inattention and at least six of the nine signs of impulsivity and/or hyperactivity over at least six months to the extent that is not adaptive and incompatible with developmental level. It is important to recognize that the symptoms of ADD can't be explained by other mental disorders such as anxiety or mood disorders. They are specific to ADD.
4. Disorganization
Often, people with inattentive ADHD have problems with organization. They may have trouble keeping track of assignments, miss deadlines, or lose important items like eyeglasses or their cell phone. They may also have messy work or home environment, procrastinate, and underestimate the time it will take to complete a particular task.
This kind of disorganization does not necessarily mean ADHD. If you're having trouble staying organized at work or home or are often late for appointments or meetings, and struggle to keep track of your professional or personal obligations, a psychiatric assessment may be worthwhile.
You may also be unorganized when you leave your keys on the kitchen table, don't wash your the laundry away or misplace important documents. You could also lose important information during conversations or neglect to send an email reminder of an appointment. Your lack of organization may also affect your relations with your family and friends.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can also have difficulty sitting still or listening to other people talk. This is because their mind can wander and they might become distracted by a conversation with another person, a thought that pops into their head, or the sound of a car's horn.
Disorganization and other symptoms that are associated with inattentive ADHD can be overcome. Family physicians are vital in identifying the disorder, initiating treatment, and monitoring their patient's progress. They can assist patients in learning how to manage their symptoms through daily routines, planners and other tools. They can also help patients to use strategies such as lists, color-coding and reminders to ensure their tasks are organized. They can also give suggestions to patients on how to select a workplace that supports their needs and keeps them productive.
5. Lack of Organization
ADHD can make it hard to keep track of paperwork and other daily tasks. It can also be difficult to manage finances and pay bills on time. This can lead to late fees and debt. Inattentional ADHD is often characterized by missing deadlines or completing incomplete work. Inattentive ADHD is a disorder that affects children, adolescents and adults. They typically have trouble completing tasks requiring sustained mental effort, such as projects and homework. They may also miss important details or misplace items they require for work, school and home (e.g., backpacks books, tools keys, wallets, eyeglasses).
Those with ADD tend to be adept at hiding their symptoms. They might use strategies to overcome the issues they have, such using notes or reminders to stay on task. This can cause problems at school, at work, and in relationships. ADHD symptoms can result in a range of social and health problems, including poor self-esteem and unstable relationships.
Many adults who have ADD can manage their symptoms through treatment and lifestyle changes. Treatment options include medication, behavioral modification and educational interventions. Medication can improve attention, decrease impulsive behavior and restlessness.
Although ADHD symptoms are usually first noticed in the earliest years of life, it is still possible for family doctors to overlook the diagnosis of adult ADHD. This is because symptoms in adults appear differently from those of childhood. They often present as an array of interconnected issues that appear to be unrelated and are often caused by psychiatric disorders. Despite these challenges family physicians are a key source for identifying adult ADD and initiating treatment as well as sending patients to mental health care whenever needed.