Understanding adult ADHD: common symptoms and diagnosis

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and affects 5% of children and 2.5% of adults worldwide. ADHD or ADD as it is known by some is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.?Previously it was considered that ADHD only affects children and by adulthood they outgrow it but now it can be a lifelong condition affecting work, home life and relationships.?

Although ADHD can start in early childhood and continue into adulthood.?Some are diagnosed early on while others can be diagnosed later in life. While it is not clear what causes ADHD it is thought that genes and hereditary play a big role, so does environmental stress trauma or toxins, and inherent developmental disruption. It is quite difficult to diagnose ADHD, people may pass you off as lazy or a troublemaker. And adult ADHD is more challenging to diagnose than ADHD in children.?

Recognizing ADHD is the first step to managing it.

Some of the common symptoms of adult ADHD are:

1. Inattentiveness- having a short attention span, being easily distracted and forgetful, having difficulty organising and constantly changing up tasks are some of the signs of ADHD.

If they find a task engaging they might be completely engrossed in it. But they face challenges with mundane tasks.?

They might often start daydreaming in the middle of a conversation or task.

1. Hyperactivity- unable to sit still, constant fidgeting, interrupting conversations, unable to concentrate, and excessive talking are some of the symptoms of hyperactivity. In children, hyperactivity can be more prominent than in adults.?

1. Emotional ups and downs- with ADHD your emotions can be in constant flux, you could get easily bored, and tend to seek excitement on a whim. Small inconveniences or troubles could lead to a change in mood or depression. Low self-esteem, sense of insecurity or underachievement.

1. Management of time- procrastination or being late or completely forgetting tasks. Although forgetfulness affects us all if it causes serious disruptions in career or relationships then it is time to talk to someone.

1. Impulsivity- this can show in different types of behaviour like interrupting others during conversation, acting without thinking, rushing without thinking and being socially inappropriate. If you have a lack of impulse control then staying patient is extremely difficult.

1. Fatigue- it can result from hyperactivity, loss of focus and sleep deprivation.

1. Physical health- mental health concerns affect mental health as well, forgetfulness or lack of focus can lead to eating an imbalanced diet, forgetting medication, not exercising and sleep deprivation.

1. Negative self-image- as adults with ADHD face issues with concentration it can lead to them being hypercritical of themselves. The failures can make them see themselves in a negative light.

1. Lack of motivation- adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus for long on a project. They might start many new tasks without completing new ones. A lack of focus paired with bad organizational skills can result in a lack of motivation to get things done.

1. Hyperfocus- although this may sound like a positive thing, people with ADHD may submerge themselves so much in one task that they lose track of time and other things making it difficult for their partners and family.

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Diagnosis of ADHD

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ADHD can be of 3 kinds depending on the symptoms.

1. Predominantly inattentive presentation- easily distracted and difficulty in completing a task, paying attention to details or following distractions.

1. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive hyper presentation- fidgeting, restlessness, and talking a lot are some of the common signs.

1. Combined presentation- an individual may experience the symptoms of the above two types equally.?

Diagnosis of ADHD is not like diagnosis of any other diseases or syndromes, the assessment is done in the form of interviews or a questionnaire.

Treatment of ADHD is a combination of medication and therapy.

There are two types of medications stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulants increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain which makes it easier for people to think clearly. Non-stimulants work on improving focus, attention and impulsivity. In therapy, behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy is used to change the behavior patterns and bring a positive change.

Book your online assessment today with Skooc a mental health and well-being-focused organization that offers online counseling.?

ADHD might look different for everyone. It might put you at an increased for anxiety, depression, substance abuse and eating disorders. Things like stress, boredom, lack of sleep, and being overwhelmed can impact personal and professional life.?Therapy, support groups, a good diet, sleep, exercise, meditation and taking supplements can help deal with ADHD.?A person should consult with a doctor if ADHD is making it difficult to function in day-to-day life.?

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