Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

If you are suffering from untreated ADHD your life may become chaotic and stressful. You may struggle with managing finances and sustaining your job. You may also struggle with relationships.

Adults who suffer from ADHD don't typically display the hyperactivity and impulsivity that children display. The symptoms are typically more subtle and include restlessness, such as fidgeting or tapping your feet or hands or squirming.

1. Inattentiveness

Adult ADHD can be detected when you have trouble staying focused, staying organized, or completing tasks at school or at work. This subtype of ADHD causes difficulty for people to manage their family, work and home obligations. They are easily distracted and forget what is expected of them.

They may forget dates, arrive late for meetings or other obligations and not meet deadlines. They often lose their wallets, keys and sports equipment. They are unable to focus on routine, monotonous tasks for long periods of time. As signs and symptoms of adhd in adults , their lives are often chaotic and messy, with messy rooms and huge laundry piles, dishes that have not been washed, and unfinished paperwork.


These issues can trigger feelings of self-doubt or even depression, especially if they are not recognized as signs of ADHD. People might make snide remarks about them, calling them sloppy, unprofessional or poor students. This can strain personal relationships and cause financial problems, like missed medical checkups or inexplicably high-priced purchases, or unpaid bills.

Inattention is the most frequent ADHD symptom that persists in adulthood. In fact this is one of the reasons that people suffering from ADHD are often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. When talking with a health care professional about their ADHD symptoms, they may be asked about their past struggles in school or at work and if those issues were related to inattention. They may also be asked about any other problems that have arose in their lives, such as relationship problems or financial difficulties. They could be asked to fill out a questionnaire which provides a more detailed view of their lack of attention.

2. Hyperactivity

ADHD patients are usually anxious. They fidget and talk excessively. They are often unable to wait for their turn or following directions at work or in class. These problems aren't caused by defiance or lack of understanding. Symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity must be present for at least six months and are inappropriate for the person's developmental level.

These symptoms make it difficult to connect with other people and complete essential tasks at school or work. They can also be frustrating for parents and teachers. People suffering from ADHD have trouble remembering appointments, instructions or paying bills. They may also lose track of their belongings. They are at risk of injuries, accidents and financial disasters, such as missing out on tax-deductible opportunities or racking up credit card debt as a result of the impulsive spending.

A health care provider will assess the patient and determine whether the symptoms are related to ADHD. They can then suggest efficient treatments. The evaluation includes a conversation with the person and his parents and an examination of medical background, mood, and an assessment of the individual's behaviors in different settings.

It is also beneficial to discuss the person's childhood activities and experiences. Old report cards conversations with relatives, and other data can show the pattern of difficulties paying attention to the right things, focusing, controlling impulses or managing time that started in the early years of childhood. It's important to rule out any other issues that can cause similar symptoms, including mood disorders, anxiety or chronic physical and mental stress.

3. Impulsivity

In adults, a lack of impulse control could be a sign you have adhd. It can be difficult to resist the urge to buy something you don't need, interrupt someone when they're talking, or make inappropriate remarks. When you have ADHD and you hear the tiny voice that asks "Is this an appropriate thing?" is silent or non-existent. This can lead to impulsive decisions which you regret later, often with serious consequences.

Adults aren't able to automatically develop self-discipline and other skills to deal with their ADHD. This means that they might struggle to manage their personal and professional lives as they get older. The more responsibilities they have increases the pressure to be punctual and keep up with the demands of tasks and be able to resist impulse-driven behaviours.

When you have ADHD, a small part of the frontal part of your brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex fails to function properly. This area allows us to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to follow our gut instinct or not. People who suffer from ADHD are more impulsive due to the fact that their thoughts and feelings run faster than their ability to change their minds.

Impulsivity is a major reason for adults suffering from ADHD often have difficulty maintaining jobs and relationships. It can also cause risky behaviours that are not protected, like unprotected sexual activity or a tendency to light fires without considering the consequences.

It's not uncommon for adults to experience more impulsive episodes. You should seek out an expert in mental health for an evaluation to determine the root cause of your problem and to determine the most effective treatment options. There are a variety of methods and medications that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

4. Unrest

In adults, restlessness is frequently a sign of ADHD. This is due to the inability to sustain focus and the tendency to be distracted by other activities, people or thoughts according to CHADD. This can also be accompanied with mood swings, as well as problems maintaining professional and personal relations.

Adults with ADHD can find it challenging to keep up with daily tasks, and are more likely to forget important dates and appointments. They tend to underestimate the amount of time required to complete a task and are easily distracted, resulting in delay and missing deadlines. They may also have trouble listening and this can lead to problems with relationships and miscommunications.

The constant distractions that come with ADHD can cause stress, which can in turn make symptoms worse. The good news is that there are methods to reduce stress, including regular exercise, healthy eating and meditation or deep breathing techniques. It is also crucial to seek help and a correct diagnosis if needed from an expert in mental health or health care professional.

It is a good idea to consult your doctor if you might have ADHD. They can evaluate the condition and offer treatment recommendations, which could include medication, therapy, or a mixture of both. You can find more information on getting an evaluation and treatment for ADHD on the NIMH website. You can also learn more about programs that can offer practical and financial support for people with ADHD, such as Access to Work, on the Department for Work and Pensions website. These programs could help you pay for personal training or coaching sessions to enhance your performance at work.

5. Anxiety

Anxiety is a common symptom of adult ADHD. You may worry excessively, or become hyper-focused on small issues such as being late to an appointment or making an error at work. Anxiety can cause people to have trouble sleeping or feeling calm. They might have a general or specific fear, for example, flying high, crowds, heights, public transport or open spaces.

You might be able to manage your anxiety using therapy, meditation, or regular exercise. However, if you are struggling with the problem and no treatment is able to help it is a good idea to determine whether you have undiagnosed ADHD. A number of studies have proven that the comorbidity between GAD and ADHD is higher than in the general population.

Your desire to be active can cause feelings of restlessness and anxiety. This can lead to an inability to concentrate and frustration if you are incapable of completing tasks in a timely manner. You may find it difficult to fall asleep or relax and your thoughts may turn to worries about family, friends or work. These thoughts can trigger depression or mood changes that impact your relationships and life.

It's possible that you have a difficult to differentiate between anxiety and worry, however, there is a distinct difference. There is a focus for worry and you are worried about something specific, while anxiety is free-floating and can't be identified or described. The causes behind both are similar, including the biological causes, childhood experiences and parenting practices.

Comorbid anxiety, when combined with other ADHD symptoms, such as low confidence and relationship difficulties, can have a negative effect on your quality of living. It is essential to seek out a diagnosis and receive treatment for both conditions.