ADHD Signs & Symptoms In Adults

ADHD is often not diagnosed until an individual is in their adult years. Adolescent symptoms can differ from adult ones. A person should know what to look for so they get the support they need to understand who they are and fulfil their potential.

Most people, including some clinicians, do not fully understand adult ADHD. As a person grows and develops, so do their symptoms.

Executive functions

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) adversely affects the brain’s executive functions such as focusing and maintaining attention, planning and organizing activities and managing emotions.

Most children with autism suffer from the condition. Despite this, many children who have ADHD do not receive a diagnosis. Symptoms might not have been apparent because some grew up in an environment that suited them well.

Attention problems can be a symptom of ADHD in childhood. As a result, they lose books or jumpers, and their bedrooms or desks are disorganized. They might not comprehend or remember the teacher’s instructions.

When hyperactive-impulsive children cannot sit still during school lessons or at dinner, they may be restless and noisy, making other people angry, interrupting them, or not waiting their turn.

ADHD in adults can present with different signs

Even in adults, symptoms will still be present, but it does become more internalized and less noticeable. Adult ADHD symptoms may present differently than those in childhood, as follows:

1. No time for pause

A restless adult may have an inner sense of restlessness rather than climbing things and being hyperactive. These individuals may have trouble relaxing or focusing. Some people may feel driven to be doing something and be productive all the time. Despite being on vacation, a person cannot relax and must be involved in many activities.

2. Get organized, then over-whelm for a while

It’s a way to compensate for their ADHD symptoms, adults sometimes become highly organized instead of feeling disorganized. In the following weeks and months, they may feel overwhelmed and unable to take care of everything. There may be a few days of overwhelm for someone with ADHD. As a result, they must put in extra effort to stay organized.

3. Procrastination to the extreme

A failed university subject and difficulties completing work tasks can be the result. In addition to neglecting chores around the house, procrastination can lead to delays in general life administration, like paying bills on time. ADHD patients often put things off to a great extent – which may result in a last-minute, “all-nighter” effort to meet an impending deadline.

4. An inability to track time

The result is that adults continually underestimate the duration of tasks, which leads to frequent lateness. People may not consider traffic and coffee stops when calculating their commute time.

Identify yourself?

There are times when we feel or act in the ways described above. These behaviours may be indicators of ADHD. It may require a diagnosis if the instances interfere with multiple aspects of life – such as study, work, socialization, or caring for family members – or result in negative self-perceptions.

The public has become increasingly aware of adult ADHD,  through social media and websites with people sharing their experiences. Many adults have been assessed and treated for ADHD due to this increase in demand.

The lack of clinicians with expertise in ADHD, the lack of public services for adults with ADHD, and the lack of uniform standards of care for adults with ADHD simply cannot be overlooked. As a result, diagnosis and treatment waitlists are quite long.

Proper diagnosis, treatment, and support are essential. Medications and psychological treatment, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, are available as evidence-based treatments for adult ADHD. If you have ADHD and are treated properly, you’ll live longer, have fewer accidents, and have fewer substance abuse problems.

The lack of guidelines for clinicians that outline evidence-based, best practice recommendations for ADHD diagnosis, treatment, and support has been key to ineffective care for people with ADHD.

The guidance provided by Blog Magazine must include input from those living with ADHD, and those involved in diagnosing and supporting them, in order to be effective. With these guidelines, people with ADHD can identify it as early as possible and receive the support they require to achieve their goals.