inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms of ADHD in an Adult
If you're constantly losing things, are unable to finish your work, and easily distracted, you may have ADHD symptoms which are causing anxiety.
The symptoms of adult ADHD vary from mild to severe. They can cause impairment in one or more settings like at home, in school and at work.
1. Problems with Focusing
ADHD can make it difficult to sit still and focus. These are signs that are seen in adults as well as children and can impact the daily life of a person at school, home and at work.
It can be a hassle to be unable to concentrate particularly when it's a problem that persists. It can also lead to low self esteem as well as feelings of being in a state of despair and failure. It can also lead to problems with health like missing appointments with doctors, not taking medications as prescribed and over-indulging in unhealthy habits such as fast food or drinking. It can also cause financial issues too, with the cost of paying bills late or overdrafts getting out of control due to impulsive spending.
Hyperfocus is a term that's used to describe the ability of those with ADHD to concentrate on tasks they find interesting. This can be beneficial in certain situations but it's a challenge to deal with daily chores and responsibilities like paying bills, buying food items, or filing paperwork at work.
Additionally, those who suffer from ADHD can be very impulsive and can easily get distracted by calls, text messages, television, social media and music. This can make it difficult for them to finish tasks at school or at work and can affect their relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
In order to assess if someone has ADHD their health care provider will inquire about their childhood behaviors and school experiences. They will then interview the individual and their parents, if it is possible to obtain additional information. They will use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD checklists for symptoms to determine the way that an adult's symptoms impact their lives. They will also conduct psychological and physical tests, which can help identify medical conditions that cause similar symptoms.
2. Ignoring Specifics
People with ADHD are prone to become so caught up in their activities that they ignore those around them. They may also forget important details or not follow up on a conversation, which can lead them to misunderstand relationships. They tend to make decisions in a hurry without considering the consequences. This can be a result of aggressive behavior, like throwing objects and hitting them or not studying for tests.
A mental health professional cannot diagnose adult ADHD simply by observing that symptoms are evident in various settings and interfering with school, work or social activities. To be diagnosed with ADHD in adults it is necessary to satisfy the criteria laid out by 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. Most often, a healthcare professional will interview the person's life partner or someone close to them and request a medical history.
Inattention-deficient ADHD is more common. Symptoms include difficulty paying attention, forgetting details, and losing 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 may be able overcome their difficulties by recognizing and adapting their habits, environment and lifestyle to overcome their challenges. They can also seek help from a medical professional and take steps to improve their social skills. There are numerous resources for adults with ADHD to establish and maintain strong relationships, including peer support groups.
3. Losing Things
Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to locate things, especially keys phones, wallets, or keys. They also aren't able to locate paper or other materials required for school or work. This can be extremely frustrating.
Losing things is a typical occurrence in adults with ADHD. This is due to the fact that the disorder alters the way the brain processes information. In the end, the working memory that helps you juggle new information with older, stored information is impaired. It's easy to lose track of what you just heard, or how to follow a recipe, or even the grocery list if this occurs.
A few adults with ADHD also have difficulty staying focused at work or managing their finances. This can result in poor performance reviews, tensions in relationships with colleagues and financial difficulties due to missed payments or excessive spending. It may be helpful to explore a variety of options for managing symptoms, such as therapy and medication.
Some experts believe that changes in diet particularly those that contain high protein foods, can help reduce ADHD symptoms. what is ADHD symptoms in adults and foods that are high in sugar can cause mood swings, and make it difficult to stay focused. Meditation or mindfulness techniques are also effective in improving concentration. However, these techniques have not been scientifically confirmed to cure ADHD.
4. Forgetting Things
Many times people suffering from ADHD forget what they need to accomplish. They might miss appointments, fail to pick up food items, or leave the house without their keys. This can have a big impact on daily life and their relationships. People in their lives might believe that the person isn't organized or careless. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to have trouble staying focused or following directions in work and in school, which can result in missed deadlines and mistakes.
If you suspect you may have ADHD then you should speak to your GP to request a referral to a provider of medical care who can examine people suffering from ADHD. A specialist will examine factors such as your mood, medical history and if you suffer from any other issues that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD such as stress or substance abuse.
To meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnoses, someone must demonstrate that their ADHD symptoms cause significant disability in at least two areas of their life including school, work, and family life, and that their challenges are not caused by other conditions such as depression or anxiety. A healthcare professional will go over the person's previous behavior and talk to them about their difficulties and watch them in action. They may also ask for feedback from their family members.
Adult ADHD diagnosis can bring relief and hope to adults. It can help people understand that they aren't an insignificant or bad person. It can also teach them strategies to manage ADHD like learning to prioritize their tasks and remain organized. This can help them achieve their goals and make positive changes in their lives, as being able to build an effective support system.
5. Inattentiveness

Hyperactivity isn't a symptom for inattention ADHD. However, adults who have this type of ADHD might have difficulty staying focused and on task. They may have difficulty to stay focused during business meetings or to complete college assignments. They may be unintentionally negligent at home or neglect to pay bills. Their lives could be disrupted because they fail to meet deadlines, or even losing a job. Inattentive ADHD symptoms can cause problems with family relationships.
Many people suffering from inattention ADHD have suffered for years before being diagnosed. They could be labeled irresponsible or lazy by friends and coworkers. They might be overwhelmed by their procrastination, lack of organization, and indecisiveness. Their inability to complete tasks on schedule and their frequent mistakes can lead to problems with finances, work or even legal issues.
In order to be granted an inattentive ADHD diagnosis the healthcare professional must verify that symptoms began prior to the age of 12. They must also be able to determine if the disorder causes impairments in two major environments, including school and work. Impairment can be caused by not attending important meetings at work or not paying bills on time, having difficulty academically in college, failing to complete tasks or chores at home and then putting themselves in debt due to impulsive spending.
In an ADHD evaluation, the health care professional will go over the medical history of the patient and may also conduct other tests, like eye exams or hearing tests, to rule out physical conditions. The health professional will also interview the patient about the symptoms, lifestyle and work and home life. They will also look for evidence that symptoms have been present since childhood, like old reports and conversations with family members.