ADHD in Adults: 15 Symptoms and Signs, and What to Do About It

The issue of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not limited to young people. Find out how adult ADHD symptoms manifest in both men and women, as well as what you may do about it.

ADHD in Adults: 15 Symptoms and Signs, and What to Do About It

Any adult must balance their life, but if you are always running late, clumsy, forgetful, and overburdened with work, you may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). Many adults suffer from ADHD, and the disorder's many annoying symptoms can interfere with your relationships and work, among other things.

Although the specific etiology of ADHD is unknown, scientists believe it is most likely a result of a combination of genes, environment, and small variations in the brain's hardwiring. Most likely, if you were diagnosed with ADHD or ADD as a youngster, you have carried over some of the symptoms into adulthood. But having ADHD as an adult doesn't mean it can't still affect you if you weren't diagnosed with it when you were younger.

ADHD is frequently misdiagnosed in children. This was particularly prevalent in the past when not many people knew about it. Rather than addressing the true cause of your symptoms, your family, instructors, or other people might have called you a dreamer, a goof, a slacker, a troublemaker, or merely a terrible student. Alternatively, you might have been able to manage your ADHD symptoms when you were younger, but as your adult responsibilities grew, you began to experience difficulties.

The more responsibilities you have on your plate maintaining a household, pursuing a career, and raising a family, for example, the more your capacity for organization, concentration, and composure will be tested. Anybody can find this difficult, but those with ADHD may find it especially difficult.

The good news is that attention deficit disorder can be overcome, despite how overpowering it may feel at times. You can learn to control the symptoms of adult ADHD and even turn some of your deficits into strengths with the right information, guidance, and imagination. It's never too late to start thriving on your own terms and overcome the challenges presented by adult ADHD.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurological illness that frequently first appears in children. It can result in hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as problems with mood, organization, and focus.

What are the signs and symptoms of adult ADHD?

 Attention deficit disorder manifests itself in different ways in adults than in children, and each person's symptoms are distinct. The typical symptoms of adult ADHD are highlighted in the following areas. Try to pinpoint the specific areas that you find challenging. You may begin putting ideas for dealing with your most troublesome symptoms into practice once you've identified them.

1. A lack of organization.
2. Concerns about relationships.
3. Absence of concentration.
4. Anxiety and restlessness.
5. Emotional issues.
6. Intense concentration.
7. Issues with time management.
8. Forgetting.
9. Impatience.
10. Negative perception of oneself.
11. Absence of motivation.
12. Exhausted.
13. Physical health issues.
14. Misuse of substances.

1.  A lack of organization

There are moments when everyone feels that life is difficult. On the other hand, compared to someone without ADHD, someone with ADHD could endure more difficult life situations. They may find it challenging to maintain everything in its proper position as a result.

An adult with ADHD could struggle with organizing. This can involve difficulties prioritizing tasks logically and maintaining track of them.

2. Concerns about relationships.

• Inattention.
• Being quickly bored.
• Interrupting others in discussion.

Consequently, an individual with ADHD could come across as:

• Inconsiderate
• Reckless
• Heartless

3. Absence of concentration.

Focus problems are not the only sign of ADHD; lack of focus extends beyond difficulties with attention spans. It implies additionally:

• Having a short attention span.
• Having trouble listening to other people during a discussion.
• Neglecting details.
• Not finishing projects or duties.

4. Anxiety and restlessness.

• Shuffle around a lot.
• Tap their feet or hands.
• Change places in their chair.
• Have trouble staying still.

5. Emotional issues.

6. Intense concentration.

7. Issues with time management.

This worry is comparable to being disorganized. It's common for adults with ADHD to struggle with time management. They might:

• Put off doing duties.
• Arrive late for activities.
• Don't bother with assignments they find tedious.

People with ADHD frequently have difficulty focusing on the "now," as opposed to the past or the future.

8. Forgetting.

• While forgetting things periodically happens to everyone, forgetfulness seems to happen more frequently to those who have ADHD. Frequently forgetting where you've stored something or what crucial dates you need to remember are examples of this.
• Ignorance can occasionally be annoying, but not to the point where it seriously interferes with life. In other cases, it might be dangerous.
• In the end, forgetfulness can have an impact on relationships and professions.
• If people don't know the signs and symptoms of ADHD, they may mistake it for negligence or a lack of intelligence.

9. Impatience.

• stifling other people's conversations.
• acting in a socially incorrect manner.
• hurrying through assignments.
• acts without giving the effects of my actions considerable thought.

10. Negative perception of oneself.

11. Absence of motivation.

You might not feel driven, even though you might be willing to do everything at once.
Children with ADHD, who frequently struggle to focus on their academic work, are frequently the subject of this worry. Adults are also susceptible to it.

An adult with ADHD may find it challenging to complete a project due to a lack of enthusiasm, procrastination, and trouble with organizing. They could struggle to concentrate for extended periods.

12. Exhausted.

For many individuals with ADHD, exhaustion is an issue, even though restlessness is also a symptom, so this may seem strange.

• agitation.
• sleep issues that may result from ADHD.
• the ongoing concentration that people with ADHD may need to exert.
• adverse effects of ADHD drugs.

Whatever the reason, being tired might make it harder to pay attention.

 13. Physical health issues.

A person with ADHD may disregard their physical well-being. Among the symptoms of ADHD that could interfere with your ability to maintain your physical health are:

• impulsivity, emotional instability, disarray, and lack of motivation.
• Your physical health is negatively impacted by stress and worry as well.

When your physical health is neglected, it might show up as:

• Eating an unbalanced diet obsessively.
• Not working out.
• Ignoring the need for a prescription drug.

14.  Misuse of substances.

While not all adults with ADHD will suffer substance abuse, those who have the disorder are more prone than others to do so, according to a 2021 consensus statement. This could entail abusing alcohol, cigarettes, or other substances.

The exact nature of the connection between substance abuse and ADHD is unknown in the research. According to one view, drug abusers with ADHD self-medicate. They might abuse these drugs with the intention of:

• Enhancing concentration.
• Enhancing slumber.
• Reducing anxiety.

watch for ADHD in adult symptoms

Which tests are required for diagnosing adult ADHD?

There isn't a single test that can identify ADHD in every patient. There are several tools for screening available.

A mental health professional or primary care physician will usually conduct at least two in-depth interviews as part of the testing process for adult ADHD. In these interviews, they are going to:

• Determine if the symptoms you are experiencing now fit the description of ADHD.
• To find out if you had any indications of ADHD symptoms as a child, ask questions.
• Examine your chances of having co-occurring or linked mental health issues that could be the cause of your symptoms.

It's also critical to understand that learning difficulties, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are among the disorders that frequently co-occur with ADHD.

A healthcare professional can diagnose you and direct you to the appropriate course of therapy, even if your symptoms seem to overlap with some of these ailments.

Self-help for adult ADHD.

With the aid of disciplined tactics and a comprehension of the difficulties associated with ADHD, you may truly transform your life. Many adults with attention deficit disorder have discovered significant methods to manage their symptoms, take advantage of their gifts, and lead productive and satisfying lives. Outside help isn't always necessary, at least not immediately. You have a variety of options for taking care of yourself and managing your symptoms.

• Eat well and get exercise: Exercise hard and often; it calms and soothes the body and aids in the constructive release of excess energy and hostility. To mitigate mood fluctuations, eat a wide range of nutritious foods and minimize sugary ones.
• Make sure you get enough rest: It's much harder to concentrate, control your stress, be productive, and stay on top of your obligations when you're sleep-deprived. Help yourself by putting electronics away at least an hour before bed and making sure you get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
• Improve your time management skills: Give everything a deadline, including seemingly simple jobs. Set alarms and timers to help you stay on task. Take regular pauses to rest. Dealing with each item as it comes in can help you avoid procrastination or mountains of documentation. Set deadlines for critical activities and record all assignments, messages, and significant ideas in writing.
• Improve your time management skills: Give everything a deadline, including seemingly simple jobs. Set alarms and timers to help you stay on task. Take regular pauses to rest. Dealing with each item as it comes in can help you avoid procrastination or mountains of documentation. Set deadlines for critical activities and record all assignments, messages, and significant ideas in writing.
• Improve your connections: Plan get-togethers with pals and honor your commitments. When conversing or corresponding online, exercise caution: pay attention to what others are saying and refrain from speaking, texting, or emailing too rapidly. Develop connections with those who can empathize with and comprehend your challenges related to ADHD.
• Establish a welcoming workplace: Use checklists, color-coding, notes to yourself, folders, routines, and reminders often. Select a job that excites and motivates you, if at all possible. Take note of the times and ways that you work best, then try your best to include these elements in your workspace. Joining forces with less imaginative, more methodical individuals might be helpful; this can be a win-win situation.
• Engage in mindfulness: Regular mindfulness meditation can help you slow your racing mind and regain greater control over your emotions, even though it might be challenging for some people with ADHD to even consider the idea. Try sitting down to meditate for a brief while at first, and as you get more accustomed to it, extend the duration.
• It's the ADHD to blame, not you: Adults with ADHD diagnoses frequently hold themselves responsible for their issues or have a poor self-image. Anxiety, sadness, or low self-esteem may result from this. It's not your fault that you have ADHD, though, and even if you are unable to change the way your brain is structured, you can learn to overcome your shortcomings and achieve success in all facets of your life.

Finally, ADHD is a neurological disorder that is frequently apparent in young children. It usually involves hyperactivity and impulsivity along with issues with focus, planning, attention, and emotions. Individuals may experience varying levels of difficulty within these categories. It is a good idea to get assessed if you believe you exhibit signs of ADHD but were not given a diagnosis when you were younger.

Adults with ADHD can find relief from the challenges posed by their disease through a variety of approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), support in stress management, or eating a balanced diet. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out more about the various treatment choices that are available and which ones might be best for you.