Symptoms For ADHD in Adults

Adults with ADHD may have difficulty staying organized paying attention to details and observing rules at school or at work. People who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty listening to others, which can lead to miscommunication.

ADHD can lead to significant impairments in many areas such as issues at school or at work, disputes with colleagues, and financial difficulties because of spending impulsively.

Inattention

People who have inattention ADHD tend to miss particulars, fail to complete tasks, and make mistakes. They may also have difficulty paying attention in school or at work and have trouble keeping appointments. These issues can cause trouble at school, at work and in relationships. Inattention-related symptoms are the most common among adults suffering from ADHD.

People with this type of ADHD may have difficulty concentration in noisy or crowded classrooms, as well as completing college assignments and attending business meetings. They often forget to pay bills or return phone calls, and send birthday cards on time. Their offices and homes could be messy, with files unorganized and clothes left on the floor.

Inattentive ADHD symptoms of add and adhd in women can also include frequent forgetfulness and a failure to keep track of important dates, such as medical appointments or sports practice schedules. They can also be easily distracted by television, music or an online chat with a pal. Attention-deficit ADHD can also result in low performance at work or at school.

For a diagnosis, an adult with inattentive ADHD must have at minimum six of the nine inattention symptoms identified in the latest edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5). A health professional may ask about these issues when interviewing a patient. They will ask about the length of time these issues have been present and when they first began, as well as what other factors could have contributed to their development and what impact the symptoms have had on the individual's life.

A health care professional may also inquire of the person to share a list with them of their symptoms and how they affect the way they work, live and relationships. They might also inquire about the person's childhood and explain their behavior.

Many adults who have inattentive ADHD also have hyperactivity/impulsivity or combined ADHD, which is the most prevalent form of the disorder in children and adolescents. They tend to have at least six symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity and at least six inattention symptoms. Experts aren't sure what causes ADHD but they think it's due to differences in brain chemistry or brain structure. They also know that it can run in families, but some people are able to develop it by themselves without a family history.

Hyperactivity

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Those with emotional regulation struggles are prone to experiencing what Hanline describes as an emotional meltdown where they become so overwhelmed that they react to situations in a manner that is similar to children's temper tantrums. They may cry, yell, or shout, and they can't think clearly.

Adults with ADHD can avoid a meltdown by being able to recognize the signs of emotional distress. They can also keep a positive outlook in life. They can practice pausing, which is a series of behaviors that delay reactions, like deep breathing or counting to 10, before they respond to a trigger. They can also work to prepare a strategy for how to handle the possibility of a meltdown ahead of time.