Symptoms For ADHD in AdultsAdults suffering from ADHD may have trouble staying organized paying attention to details and adhering to rules at the workplace or at school. People who suffer from ADHD may also have trouble listening to others. This can cause confusion.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can lead to significant impairment in various settings, such as issues at work or in school, arguments in relationships and financial problems due to impulsive spending.
Attention
People with inattentive ADHD tend to overlook important details, fail to finish tasks, and make mistakes. They may also have difficulties paying attention in class or at work, and they may have trouble remembering appointments. These problems can cause trouble at school, in the workplace and in relationships. Inattentive symptoms are the most common among adults suffering from ADHD.
People who suffer from this subtype of ADHD may have trouble concentration in noisy or crowded classrooms, completing assignments at college and attending business meetings. They do not remember to return calls, pay bills or send birthday cards on time. They might have a messy home or office, cluttered with files and clothes on the floor.
Inattentive ADHD can also trigger forgetfulness, and the inability to recall important dates such as medical appointments, or sports practice schedules. They may also be easily distracted by television, music or an online chat with a pal. Inattentive ADHD can result in poor job performance or a drop in grades at school.
To be diagnosed, an adult with inattentive ADHD must satisfy at minimum six of the nine symptoms of inattention that are listed in the current edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the fifth edition (DSM-5). A health professional may ask about these issues when interviewing a person. They will ask how long the problem has been present for and when it first started and what other factors might have contributed to it and what impact the symptoms have had on an individual's life.
A health care professional may also ask the person to share their list of their symptoms and how they affect work, family life and relationships. They may also ask the person to write about their childhood experiences and how they affected 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 certain what causes ADHD, but they believe that it is due to differences in brain structure or brain chemistry. They also know that it can be passed down through families, however some people develop it spontaneously without any family history.
Hyperactivity
Adults who are hyperactive and impulsive may be very different from the children. Women tend to have less signs and symptoms, and are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. However, they can struggle with an impulsive and restless state. They may interrupt conversations and other people frequently. They may also forget appointments or other commitments or lose things easily. They might have trouble reading situational social boundaries and may be disruptive to others often without realizing they could be considered rude.
Finding a diagnosis for adults with ADHD is often a challenge. This is because there are many conditions that may mimic the symptoms of
adhd symptoms in adults females. These include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, head injuries and some medications like antidepressants and steroids. People suffering from these ailments may be incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD or their problems could be attributed to something else.
A doctor will typically evaluate an adult for
adhd adult symptoms after asking about their childhood behaviors, school experiences and symptoms. They will usually use standardized
adhd symptoms in adults males symptoms checklists and questionnaires with rating scales. They can interview the person or their partner, parents or family members or close friends to inquire about the signs and symptoms of ADHD. They might ask to conduct an examination on the body or conduct psychological tests to measure working memory, executive functioning, and spatial and visual skills.
A health care provider should assess the level of difficulty ADHD symptoms create in a person's their life. It's crucial to get an accurate diagnosis, as this is the first step to treating and managing symptoms which can cause major problems at home, work, and in social settings. This can include losing your job, experiencing tensions with family members or financial problems caused by impulse purchases. This could include being placed on academic probation at the college due to poor performance. It's important for the individual to get help before their problems become overwhelming and lead to health issues or legal issues. People with undiagnosed adult ADHD can feel misunderstood and criticized unfairly by others. They can find support from peers in adult ADHD peer groups. These are typically run by organizations that offer treatment for ADHD.
Impulsivity
People suffering from ADHD struggle to control their impulsive behaviors. Their impulsive behaviours may cause problems in their lives such as failing to complete tasks on time or placing themselves in dangerous situations. It can be difficult for them to keep track of their finances and can lead to them spending more than they're capable of paying for. This could result in financial difficulties, credit issues and stress in their relationships.
Additionally, impulsive signs of ADHD can directly impact work performance and relationships. It can also have a negative impact on the person's self-esteem and may cause feelings of shame or embarrassment about their mistakes. While impulsivity is only an aspect of ADHD symptoms, it could cause more problems for adults than any other core symptoms.
Symptoms of the impulsivity disorder in ADHD include the inability to stop or delay an action and acting before thinking about the consequences. For instance, you might take a break to chat with someone in class, interrupt others during their conversations, or make spur-of-the-moment purchases. These actions might seem harmless and unimportant in their own right however, if they are repeated frequently, they can have a major impact on your life.
For example, you might be late at work, lose a job due impulsive behaviour; struggle in your marriage because of impulsive comments or actions; or get into debt because of reckless spending. They may be frustrated by your behavior however, you shouldn't let them leave you. They can provide support by gently reminding you to reduce your reckless behavior. They can also urge you to take a moment to yourself after you have finished work, so that you can relax and decompress.
If you feel that your ADHD symptoms are affecting your life and you are concerned, you can speak to your GP about obtaining an assessment for the condition. You can also request a psychiatrist or psychologist who is registered to conduct an ADHD assessment. They will employ a variety of tools to evaluate your ADHD including a checklist, standardized behavior ratings and information from friends and family members. They will also conduct psychological and neurological tests to rule out any other conditions that can cause similar challenges.
Emotional Issues
Many people with ADHD struggle to control their emotions. This can make it difficult to keep up with schoolwork or at work. They may have an intense desire to get everything done immediately, and they can become frustrated and overwhelmed when their projects require more time or effort than expected. They might also miss important appointments or tasks and abandon unfinished projects because they get distracted. They can be accused of putting off work or a lack of follow-through.
Emotional regulation and impulsivity can be more difficult for adults with more severe versions of the disorder. These adults tend to have more intense and lasting feelings, like depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty interpreting the feelings of others and may misinterpret negative feedback. This can result in a low sense of self-worth and difficulties in maintaining a healthy relationships.
Adults with emotional problems ADHD are more difficult to diagnose than attention issues or impulsivity because they are less obvious and usually are not noticed. If a person suffering from ADHD is hesitant to make an appointment due to fear that they may not "feel like" later, others tend to assume that this is an indication of avoidance or lack of motivation. The issues with emotional regulation are actually caused by the difficulty people face in predicting and regulating their emotions in the future.
Hanline describes emotional meltdowns as a situation in which people with emotional regulation issues are so overwrought they react to situations as children who throw temper tantrums. They might cry, yell, or shout and they are unable to think clearly.

Adults suffering from ADHD can avoid a meltdown by recognizing signs of emotional distress. They can also keep an optimistic outlook on life. They can practice pausing, which is a series of actions that slow down reaction, such as deep breathing or counting to 10 before they respond to triggers. They can also develop a proactive plan to deal with a potential meltdown.