Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 4.4% of U.S. adults, but most adults with ADHD have not been diagnosed with the condition. Every case of ADHD can be as unique as the person who suffers from it. Therefore, ADHD treatment should be tailored to the individual.
What are the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
ADHD often presents differently in adults than in children, and the symptoms can vary from one person to the next. Symptoms of ADHD can also overlap with other disorders such as anxiety, making the diagnosis challenging. It is important to keep track of your symptoms to accurately report to your psychiatric provider.
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Untreated Adult ADHD can lead to many difficulties. Work and career may suffer due to missing deadlines and tardiness, which can lead to frequent job changes. Finances may suffer due to forgetting bill payments, losing important paperwork, or impulsive spending. These issues, along with ADHD symptoms, can cause strain in relationships.
Adult ADHD symptoms can include...
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Blurting out thoughts that may be inappropriate
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Acting carelessly without considering consequences
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Socially inappropriate behavior such as inability to sit still during a meeting
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Talking over others or frequently interrupting
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Easily distracted by low priority activities
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Difficulty with too many thoughts at once
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Struggling to pay attention such as when reading or listening during a conversation
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Daydreaming at random times without realizing it
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Frequently making errors or missing important details
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Easily bored and moving on to more interesting topics or activities
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Hyper focus: While some people have difficulty staying focused on a task, others might become hyper-focused on things, making it difficult to take your attention away from a subject. While this may temporarily increase your productivity, it can make you unaware of the environment around you. You may lose track of time or neglect responsibilities, leading to problems in the workplace and at home.
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Irritable, short-tempered
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Feeling insecure, low self-esteem
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Overly sensitive to criticism
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Inability to stay motivated
Trouble concentrating and staying focused:
Disorganization and forgetfulness:
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Procrastination and failing to meet deadlines
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May start several projects but not follow through to completion
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Disorganized, poor time management, work/home spaces are cluttered
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Chronically late, forgetting appointments and commitments
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Frequently misplacing items such as wallet, phone, documents, etc.
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Feeling agitated, internally restless or racing thoughts
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Become easily bored and may engage in risky behaviors
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Constantly fidgeting
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Excessively talking
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Please note: Adults are less likely to have symptoms of hyperactivity or restlessness than children. However, you may still have ADHD.
When adult ADHD symptoms negatively affect your life, despite your best efforts to manage them, it is time to seek professional help. There is no single medical, physical, or written test for diagnosing adult ADHD. Our Psychiatric Specialists conduct a thorough evaluation of past and present symptoms to determine a diagnosis.
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Treating adult ADHD involves different approaches to address the symptoms. Depending on the severity of symptoms affecting your life, we may recommend medication, individual therapy, and/or lifestyle changes. We understand that everyone is different and will develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
Book your evaluation today.