Signs of Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults
Many people with ADHD don't completely recover from the condition until they are older. In fact, 30 to 70% of children diagnosed with ADHD have symptoms even when they become adults.
Adults may experience various symptoms. Hyperactivity, for example, tends to decrease as you the advancing years. As adults, the symptoms can manifest in different areas of life, like working or in relationships.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inability to remain focused on a task can result in serious consequences. It can lead to problems at work or school and in relationships. In some cases, it can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to address difficulty focusing.
Difficulty focusing can be triggered by a variety of factors such as stress, illness, and lack of sleep. A mental health professional can provide an exhaustive assessment to identify the root cause of your symptoms and create an effective treatment plan.
People suffering from ADD/ADHD may have trouble staying focused on the task that is in front of them. They are often distracted by distractions from the outside or even daydreaming without realizing. They often miss appointments or misplace their glasses, keys and phones. These issues can impede everyday tasks and prevent them from achieving their long-term and short-term goals.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are having difficulty staying focused in class or at the workplace, not meeting deadlines and failing to finish assignments on time. Often, these individuals struggle to organize their work or business records. Their homes are messy, and they frequently lose track of their keys or phone.
It is essential to talk to a therapist if you are having trouble concentrating. BetterHelp can help you find an accredited, licensed therapist who can assist you with attention issues and other mental health concerns. Start your search now! It's free and confidential.
2. Finding it difficult to stay organized

Many people with ADHD struggle to stay organized. This can cause problems in the workplace or at home. People suffering from ADD tend to be disorganized and easily distracted. They may also have difficulty following instructions, getting to appointments on time, and paying their bills. They often forget important items such as their phones, keys, wallets and wallets. They also don't remember where they put things or lose them.
People with predominately inattentive type ADHD (formerly ADD) lack the hyperactivity component that is common in Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ADHD and Combined Type ADHD. They could be categorized as daydreamers, irritable at school or at work. They may also struggle to follow directions. They also struggle with tasks that require lots of brain power, and frequently make mistakes that are not made in a timely manner.
The signs of inattention ADHD are more noticeable in women than men. They might be better in hiding their symptoms or relying on tools to compensate which makes it difficult for others to notice a problem. They may feel self-critical and have low self-esteem.
Adults with ADD can benefit by having a coach to help them in everyday life as well as a mentor in the workplace. A coach can assist in improving the organization skills of people, such as maintaining a daily planner or prioritizing tasks. A mentor can assist with social skills such as remaining calm when faced with stressful situations or dealing with difficult coworkers. Numerous smartphone apps can assist people with ADHD manage their emails, calls, chores, and errands.
3. Difficulty in Making Decisions
Adults who have ADHD typically have issues with relationships or work because they struggle with keeping track of rules, being organized and coordinating their schedules. They might be impulsive with their spending and struggle with money management. They could also be suffering from health issues such as weight problems and chronic stress, tension or anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and insomnia.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults may be less obvious than children, and those who were not diagnosed as children may not realize they have symptoms until they are adults. A trained health care professional or mental health professional can evaluate the person for ADHD by asking questions about childhood behaviors and school experiences. They can also utilize standard ADHD symptoms checklists or rating scales to determine if a person is suffering from ADHD.
Untreated ADHD can cause anxiety and embarrassment. However the diagnosis can offer hope and assistance. Adults suffering from ADHD can overcome their struggles and lead productive and fulfilling lives, when they receive the appropriate help and treatment. The same impulsivity and disorder that make it hard to succeed in certain areas can also be the source of amazing creativity, passion, energy and out-of-the-box thinking. These attributes can lead you to amazing results if handled properly.
4. Trouble in Dealing with Stress
Stressful situations are common in adulthood, and they can cause issues for those with ADHD. Many people suffering from the disorder have trouble focusing or staying focused when they are overwhelmed by their work, school, home life or other obligations. This can lead to anxiety, which in turn can make their attention problems worse.
If you're having trouble keeping up with your responsibilities or feel overwhelmed frequently, talk to your doctor about the symptoms. They will ask for your medical history as well as review any problems you've had at work or in relationships. To determine adhd symptoms adults of the severity of your condition, they'll also utilize standard behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You might also be asked to complete psychological tests that test your executive function, working memory (abilities like decision-making and planning) and visual and physical abilities.
Adults, teenagers and children with inattentive ADHD are unable to follow through on instructions like performing chores or homework or completing tasks at work, such as writing a paper or sending an email. They might also forget to keep appointments or get distracted when trying to concentrate.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are different in adults than in children, and many people don't receive a diagnosis until they're older. Many adults have suffered from undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for a long time and believe that their problems are caused by other factors, such as anxiety or depression. It is possible to ask your doctor about taking part in a clinical study to learn more about latest treatments for ADHD.
5. Trouble Making Decisions in the Workplace
Indecision is a complex and frequent issue that can have a variety of consequences for a person's career. The issue stems from various psychological causes that include fears of making a wrong decision and a struggle to maintain confidence in oneself, can affect productivity in the workplace and cause conflicting work habits for co-workers. Whether it's a fleeting moment of uncertainty or a constant struggle with indecisiveness, understanding it is essential to the success of a person and their professional career.
Indecisiveness can manifest in different ways based on the individual's needs and symptoms. For example an adult who has not been diagnosed suffers from inattention ADHD might have trouble staying organized, adhering to a plan and keeping the track of work-related and personal things like appointments documents, appointments, and phone numbers. They may also struggle with financial issues, such as forgetting to pay bills or impulsively spending more than they can afford.
Indecisiveness can be caused by a variety of factors including the responsibilities of adulthood to childhood experiences and stressors. It is often overcome by looking at positive aspects of the situation, weighing alternatives, and gaining a sense of trust in oneself. If this isn't enough, seeking out the advice of trusted friends or mentors can be beneficial and help to bolster confidence. If these strategies don't work then a medical professional will be able to determine the cause of ADHD and suggest additional treatment strategies.
6. Troubles with emotions
Often, adults who have ADHD may have difficulty in regulating their emotions. This can result in impulsive behaviour, mood swings and issues with relationships and work performance. Problems with emotional regulation may also lead to feelings of self-doubt, frustration and a lower quality of life.
People who suffer from the inattentional form of ADHD often have difficulty coping with emotions. This kind of ADHD can be experienced by people of all ages and may cause problems with organization, difficulty staying on task, trouble remembering, excessive daydreaming and forgetfulness.
Inattentive ADHD can cause trouble keeping on top of schoolwork, assignments and appointments. It can also cause frequent misplacing of things like keys, eyeglasses and cell phones.
Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD can occur in children, teens and adults. It can lead to restlessness, fidgeting and tapping, as well as talking excessively, even when it's not appropriate. It can also lead to problems with making decisions and interrupts.
People who have difficulty regulating their emotions are at risk for poor physical health. This can result in tension in muscles, headaches and heart disease. They may also experience tension or negative relationships at work, and an unsatisfactory quality of life. If you're having trouble with emotional regulation at work, try to create a distance between you and the source of the emotional trigger to help you calm your emotions. You can also try reframe your reaction by looking at the situation in an alternative perspective or trying to shift your focus.