Top Signs of ADHD in Adults
Many people with ADHD aren't diagnosed, even if the symptoms were evident in their early years. They may feel relieved at being diagnosed and knowing they aren't just unmotivated or unwilling to change.
Adult ADHD symptoms are harder to recognize than those of children, and may be confused with other mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety. If you're occupied with your home and work, it's much easier to miss the symptoms.
1. You Can't Focus
One of the most common symptoms of ADHD is having trouble staying organized, focused and on the right track. This can cause a host of problems, ranging from financial issues to health issues. If you don't make appointments or fail to follow the directions at work, for instance you could lose your job, or find it difficult to pay bills on time. Similarly, if you can't stop thinking about something that hasn't happened yet, you could have trouble sleeping or concentrating at work.
People suffering from ADHD are unable to finish tasks or moving on to the next one, which could create problems at work as well as at home. They can also become absorbed in a task they find enjoyable or stimulating, such as music, video games, or hobbies, and they have difficulty shifting their focus to other things. If you're unable to remember your doctor's appointment or struggling to get the laundry done or making an impulse purchase, these behaviors can strain even the most tolerant family, friends, and coworkers.
Women with ADHD may go undiagnosed or receive misdiagnosis due to the fact that their symptoms are less obvious than those of males. In the end, they might resort to using tools to compensate for their inattentiveness by using the planner or prioritizing their list of tasks. They are more likely to underestimate the time it will take to complete a project or task, and may struggle with social interactions.
For many being diagnosed with ADHD is a source of relief and hope. It helps them realize that their difficulties are not caused by an inability to discipline themselves or personality flaws, but an illness of the brain that can be treated by therapy, medication, or lifestyle modifications.
2. You're Always late
If you're a consistently late this could be an indication of ADHD. ADHD can make it difficult to plan ahead and keep track of time, especially if have lots of things to do. It can be difficult to wait your turn or stop speaking when someone else is speaking. These issues can cause issues at workplace and in relationships. In some cases, long-term treatment can ease the burden and bring people closer to their family and professional goals.
Some people with ADHD are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood or their symptoms change throughout the years. In adults, hyperactive or impulsive symptoms can become less noticeable. Inattention symptoms may remain the same. It is also possible that ADHD symptoms will get worse with certain life changes, like having a baby or having financial difficulties.
The most frequent reason for tardiness is that there isn't an accurate internal clock. Other factors can cause tardiness, such as the inability to control yourself or a desire to go on adventures. Some people who are late feel no remorse for their behavior and accept it as normal. Others can recognize the impact they cause others and seek help. Incomplete job interviews, missed flights, and other serious consequences are often the result of most serious tardiness.
Talk to your doctor if you are always late. There are guidelines for diagnosing ADHD. These include the description and evidence of your symptoms, in addition to the fact that they have caused impairment in at least two settings (at school, work or at home with family members or friends; or other activities). It's important that your doctor determine whether there are any co-existing disorders before he or she can make a diagnosis.
3. You Can't Remember Details
ADHD can be diagnosed if you find it difficult to recall important information. adult adhd symtoms causes people to lose important information, like assignments at school or at work. It can also cause issues with their finances, relationships and emotions.
Adult ADHD symptoms can be subtler than those seen in children, and often mistaken for personality traits or other mental disorders. This makes them more difficult to identify and address. If you notice that you often lose things such as keys car keys, keys to your car or work documents, forget important dates or appointments or are having trouble keeping the financial records, it may be time to consult an expert.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, you must experience several symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity that have been present for at least six months. The symptoms have to be evident in two or more settings and significantly affecting your social, academic or professional performance.
ADHD is defined by forgetfulness and inability to focus, and difficulty sitting still or staying organized. Other symptoms include being unable wait for your turn, causing disruption to other people, or taking over conversations or games. It's important to talk to an therapist about these issues when you're concerned that you might be suffering from ADHD as it can affect your life.
Your therapist will ask you describe your recent behavior, as well as complete questionnaires and psychiatric assessments with other family members. They'll also ask you about your family background, your education and your upbringing. If the symptoms of ADHD are affecting your life, they may suggest further neuropsychological, psychological or testing for learning disabilities.
4. You have a glassed-over look in your eyes
Many adults suffering from ADHD aren't receiving the care and support they need. It could be that their symptoms are more subtle, or because they are misunderstood.
Even those who were never diagnosed with ADHD as children, they can struggle to manage daily tasks at home or work and, sometimes, their anger spills over into their relationships. Untreated adult ADHD can lead to difficult or unsatisfactory relationships, financial struggles and feelings of being unachievable at school or work.
Women tend to be more underdiagnosed than men with ADHD because the inattention symptoms of the disorder don't go away with age as they do in the case of boys. It is essential to seek help for women if there are problems with staying organized, keeping track of their appointments, or functioning at school or at work.
If you suspect that you have ADHD the first step is to consult your GP. They may suggest a program that meets your needs. This could be a community-based mental health service or a specialized neurodevelopmental program. In certain areas, there are long waiting lists, and it is often difficult to identify when your issues are due to depression or anxiety.
If you've been diagnosed as having adult ADHD If you're diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, you can find relief and hope. It will help you understand why your problems have been causing you trouble and let you know that you're not simply unmotivated, indifferent or messy. You can start to see your problems as the result of ADHD and not as a character flaw, which can give you the energy to take action to improve your life.
5. You're Always Fidgeting
Fidgeting, similar to the impulse control and hyperactivity, is another common adult ADHD sign. You might fidget with your feet or fingers in meetings. You might also jiggle your legs when you are on the phone. These movements can be distracting to other people and keep you from focusing. They could also be an indication of anxiety, a condition that is common among those with ADHD.
While you may think of ADHD as being a "boys disorder," women can have the same symptoms. In fact, over half of adults with ADHD are female. The difference is that in women, symptoms usually show up as inattentive rather than hyperactive-impulsive.
Speak to your doctor if you're feeling restless or unfocused. Often, medication can help. Treatment can boost your performance at home as well as at work, helping you get closer to your goals.
It is important to remember that fidgeting doesn't count as body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs). BFRBs may include conditions such as skin-picking and trichotillomania. They are typically employed as coping strategies by Autistic and ADHD people, or to manage anxiety or stress. They may not be the same as ADHD, but they're still an issue. It is important to talk with your doctor if you have BFRBs, because they can be treated with specific medications. In some cases they can be helped with therapy. Fidgeting in small amounts is not an issue. However, fidgeting excessively that is out of control could be a sign that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Talking to a health care provider can help you find the root of the issue and provide the care you require.