Symptoms of ADHD in an Adult

If you find yourself constantly losing things, unable to complete your work and easily distracted, you could be suffering from ADHD symptoms that are causing stress.

The symptoms of adult ADHD can range from mild to severe. They can cause problems in multiple settings that includes at school, home as well as at work.

1. Problems with Focusing

ADHD can cause problems to concentrate and sit still. These symptoms can affect both children and adults alike, and can have an adverse impact on a person's daily life at school, work and at home.

Finding it difficult to focus can be frustrating, especially because it's a persistent issue and can lead to low self-esteem and feelings despair and failure. It can also lead to problems with health like missing appointments with doctors, not taking medication as prescribed, and consuming unhealthy habits like fast food or drinking. It can also result in financial issues, like late payments of bills or an increase in overdrafts because of impulse purchases.

People with ADHD often have trouble to stay on task, but they may be able to focus very focused on tasks that appeal to them, a process known as hyperfocus. This can be helpful in certain situations but it's a challenge to deal with when doing everyday chores and responsibilities such as paying bills, buying food items, or filing paperwork at work.

Additionally, people with ADHD are often extremely impulsive and can easily get distracted by text messages, calls or television, social media and music. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks at school or at work. It also can impact their relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

To determine if a person suffers from ADHD To determine if someone is suffering from ADHD, the health care professional will ask about their childhood behaviors and school experiences. They will then conduct an interview with the person and their parents, if possible, to gain additional information. They will use standardized behaviour rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to determine how the symptoms of an adult impact their lives. They will also conduct psychological tests as well as physical examinations, which can help to rule out medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

2. Inattention to Specifics

People with ADHD are often so absorbed by an activity that they fail to see the people around them. They may also forget important details, or not follow up after an exchange, which could lead them to misunderstand relationships. They tend to make decisions fast without thinking about the consequences. This can lead to risky actions in the absence of studying for exams, affairs, quitting jobs, spending too much on financials and aggressive actions such as hitting or throwing things.

It's not enough for an expert in mental health to diagnose adult ADHD simply by noting that the symptoms are present in a variety of settings and that they hinder school, work or social activities. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD an adult must meet the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This includes having five or more symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. The symptoms must be present for at least six month and interfere with the person’s functioning in different settings. A healthcare professional can ask the person's partner or a person close to them for a medical record.

Inattention-deficient ADHD is more common. Symptoms include problems with attention, memory loss, details, and loosing things. Those with this type of ADHD usually show these symptoms throughout their lives, but they are not as prominent as the symptoms of predominantly hyperactive/impulsive ADHD.

Adults suffering from ADHD can learn to cope by identifying their particular challenges and adapting their surroundings and routines to accommodate for their specific challenges. They can also seek assistance from a medical professional and work to improve their social skills. Adults with ADHD can also access a variety of resources to help them build and maintain strong friendships, including peer support group.

3. Losing Things

Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to locate things, especially keys, wallets, and phones. They also aren't able to locate paper or other materials required for school or work. This can be very frustrating.

The loss of things is a common experience for adults suffering from ADHD. This is due to the fact that the disorder alters the way the brain processes information. This means that the working memory that helps you to manage new information alongside older, previously stored information becomes impaired. When this happens, it's easy to forget what you've heard, the steps of the recipe, or even that grocery list.

A few adults suffering from ADHD are also having trouble staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can lead poor performance reviews, stressed relations with coworkers, and financial issues as a result of missed payments or spending too much. It can be helpful to look into various options for managing symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication.

Some experts believe that changes in diet including high-protein foods, can reduce ADHD symptoms. Sugary drinks and foods can cause mood swings, and make it difficult to stay focused. Taking up meditation or mindfulness techniques can help improve your concentration. However, these methods aren't scientifically proven to cure ADHD.

4. Forgetting Things

People with ADHD frequently forget to complete things. They might forget to go to appointments, or not take their groceries or leave the house without their keys. This could have a significant impact on their daily life and relationships. People in their lives might believe that the person is not organized or careless. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty sustaining their attention or following directions at work or at school, which could result in missed deadlines and mistakes.

If you suspect you have ADHD, it's worth talking to your GP about getting an appointment with a health care provider who conducts assessments for adults suffering from ADHD. A professional will examine factors like your mood and medical history as well as whether you suffer from other issues that could cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD such as alcohol or stress.


To qualify for ADHD symptoms adults male , a person must prove that their ADHD symptoms result in significant disability in at least two aspects of their life including school, work, and family, and that their problems cannot be explained by other conditions like depression or anxiety. A healthcare professional will review the behavior of a person in the past, talk about their concerns with them and observe them at work. They might also solicit the help of their loved ones for feedback.

For adults, a diagnosis of adult ADHD can bring relief and a sense of hope. It can help people understand that they're not a failure or a failure, and it can teach them strategies to manage their ADHD including learning to organize their tasks and stay organized. This will help them achieve their goals, make positive changes in life, and build a stronger network of support.

5. Inattentiveness

Although hyperactivity isn't a sign of inattention ADHD, adults with this kind of disorder may experience low focus and difficulties staying on task. They may find it hard to concentrate during business meetings or to complete college assignments. They may be unintentionally negligent at home or forget their bills. They could lose their jobs or fail to meet deadlines, which can throw their lives off course. Inattentional ADHD can also cause problems in family relationships.

Many people with inattention ADHD endure for a long time before they are diagnosed. Friends and coworkers may label them as lazy or irresponsible. Disorganization and procrastination can make them feel overwhelmed. Their failure to complete tasks on time and frequent errors might lead to financial problems or work-related issues or even legal troubles.

A healthcare professional must confirm that the symptoms first started before the age of 12 years old. He or she also must be able to determine if the disorder causes impairments in two major environments, including school and work. The impairment could include not attending important meetings at work and not paying the bills on time, struggling academically at college, not being able to complete chores or household chores and racking up debt through purchase decisions made on impulse.

In an ADHD evaluation, the health care provider will review the medical history of a person and conduct other tests such as eye or hearing tests to rule out physical conditions. The health care professional will also talk to the patient about their symptoms, their lifestyle, and family life. He or she will also look for evidence that suggests symptoms have been present since childhood, like old report cards and conversations with family members.