What does ADHD in adults look like?

Adult ADHD can be hard to diagnose as many of the symptoms are often unassuming. The signs of adult ADHD can vary from person to person, so it's important to understand the most common signs and how they affect your life. In this article, we will go through eight key symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Trouble Concentrating and Easily Distracted

One of the most common symptoms associated with adult ADHD is difficulty concentrating and being easily distracted. A person with adult ADHD may be easily sidetracked by their thoughts or by things in their environment. They may struggle to pay attention to what is going on around them and to complete tasks that require concentration.

Disorganization and Difficulty Getting Started on Projects

Have you wondered why you feel so lazy? People living with adult ADHD may have difficulty organizing and executing tasks, particularly those that require sustained focus. This is linked to the impulsivity and disorganization associated with this disorder, which can also make getting started on projects difficult. A person with adult ADHD may procrastinate or become overwhelmed at the prospect of completing a task, leading them to put off starting it altogether.

Low Frustration Tolerance

As a result of fatigue, impulsiveness, and difficulty concentrating or focusing, someone with adult ADHD may also have low frustration tolerance. This means they become easily discouraged or irritated when something does not come quickly or easily to them, so they’re more likely to give up on tasks that appear difficult.

Highly Impulsive

This could include doing risky types of activities such as gambling or unsafe sex practices. You could find yourself spending more money than your income allows. These sorts of activities are attached to the reward system in your brain. Folks with ADHD have a tendency to be attracted to activities that release dopamine in their brain. You may have trouble waiting in lines or you may interrupt others while they are speaking. You might find that you have no filter and say what is on your mind, then regret it.

Emotional Outbursts and Rejection Sensitivity

You may find yourself easily angered or upset. This may be a result of rejection sensitivity. Rejection Sensitivity or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria refers to the pain that is experienced by rejection or perceived rejection. 

Forgetful or Frequently Misplace Items

This ties into the distraction and disorganization symptoms. You may often lose things because you are less present in your environment and pay less attention to where you have placed your items. 

Find it difficult to explain yourself succinctly

You struggle to get to the point of your statement. You tell one story to tell another story.

Feel Restless

It could be physically or mentally restless. It can be described like you are driven by a motor. You feel like you are constantly busy but do not feel like you get anything done.

It is important to remember that these symptoms can also be present for other reasons like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. We can work together to determine if what you are experiencing can be attributed to ADHD or something else.  Once we have determined the cause of your symptoms we can work on the proper treatment.

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