What are the Symptoms of ADHD in
Adults?
Below is a self-evaluating tool that is unique to the symptoms
of ADHD in adults. This adult ADD symptom test is not a diagnostic test, but
instead a source of information for the adult trying to determine if
adult Attention Deficit Disorder might be present in his or her life.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are often the same
as the symptoms in children. The ADHD adult might
have trouble with staying on task, staying organized and
procrastinating, just as the ADHD child
does. The ADHD adult might have trouble
maintaining relationships and controlling their mood, just like
an ADD or ADHD child. The main difference between the ADD adult
and child is that the adult Attention Deficit
symptom is often disguised by sophisticated coping mechanisms.
When reviewing the child's symptom
checklist, you can substitute the word "work" for the word "school" to
equate the ADHD symptom test outlined for children to the equivalent
symptoms of adult ADHD.
You can also look at the Attention Deficit Disorder test for
children and ask yourself if, as a child, you had such symptoms or
currently have such Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms.
Symptoms
Adult ADD / ADHD:
If you experience 10 or more points on this
adult
symptoms ADD list, Attention Deficit Disorder is likely
present.
_ An internal sense of anxiety.
_ Impulsive spending habits.
_ Frequent distractions during sex.
_ Frequently misplace the car keys, your purse or wallet or
other day-to-day items.
_ Lack of attention to detail.
_ Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or
substance abuse.
_ Trouble following the proper channels or chain of commands.
_ An attitude of "read the directions when all else fails."
_ Frequent traffic violations.
_ Impulsive job changes.
_ Trouble maintaining an organized work and/or home environment.
_ Chronically late or always in a hurry.
_ Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of daily living.
_ Poor financial management and frequent late bills.
_ Chronic procrastination.
_ Spending excessive time at work due to inefficiencies.
_ Inconsistent work performance.
_ Sense of underachievement.
_ Frequent mood swings.
_ Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships.
_ A need to seek high stimulation activities.
_ Tendency toward exaggerated outbursts.
_ Transposing numbers, letters, words.
_ Tendency toward being argumentative.
_ Addictive personality toward food, alcohol, drugs, work and/or
gambling.
_ Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly.
_ "Thin-skinned" - having quick or exaggerated response to real
or imagined slights.
So you hit a number of
Attention Deficit
Disorder Adults symptoms. Now what?
First, it is important that a physician rule
out conditions like anxiety, depression, hypothyroidism,
manic-depression or obsessive compulsive disorder, which mimic
symptoms of adult ADHD.
For
women
ADHD symptoms can be
mimiced by hormonal issues.
Hormonal imbalances in perimenopause and menopause can produce foggy thinking, anxiety
and exaggerated outbursts. Women should rule out perimenopause if
the Attention Deficit symptoms appear in their late 30s or 40s.
Physicians typically first prescribe
antidepressants like Prozac for an adult with ADD, since
depression issues often go hand-in-hand with
adult ADHD ADD. Physicians
usually move to stimulant
ADD adult medications like Adderall, Concerta or
Ritalin medication treatment if antidepressants do not work.
The Adderall, Concerta and Ritalin
medication treatment route is not recommended for people with a
history of drug or alcohol use or abuse since these are controlled
substances with a fairly high degree of addiction potential in
adults. And, adults experience prescription medication side
effects at the same rate as their younger counterparts and some of
the side effects of Adderall, Concerta or Ritalin medication
treatment can be potentially serious.
ADHD symptoms in adults
can be naturally relieved without the side effects of
Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin or Strattera by incorporate diet, exercise and
lifestyle modifications as effective ADHD remedies.
Exercise: Regular and vigorous exercise can be very
helpful in reducing Attention Deficit Disorder adult symptoms. Attention
Deficit Disorder adults tend to have addictive personalities.
Exercise is a good addiction. Aside from the obvious health
benefits, regular exercise is also a great way to release steam
and quiet the mind. Some studies also link regular exercise to
decreased depression - a common adult Attention Deficit Disorder
symptom.
Diet: The brain is a hungry organ that cannot
function at optimal levels without the proper fuels. To keep the
brain functioning at top performance, an
ADHD diet packed with brain
boosting essential fatty acids and amino acids is a must. A diet
high in protein provides amino acids necessary for brain
functioning.
The ADD adult can also meet these crucial
dietary requirements for Attention Deficit Disorder by taking a
high-quality
nutritional supplement to ensure that they are giving
the brain the fuel it needs to function properly. The Attend line
of nutritional support for Attention Deficit Disorder is an
excellent choice for addressing the
causes of Attention Deficit Disorder.
Restructuring the ADD Adult Environment: The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should
get into the habit of making lists. The list should include any
and all tasks required for the day, from "Mop the kitchen floor"
to "Finish the sales proposal."
Write your list with the tasks of highest
priority first. Once the first task is completed, mark it off and
go to the next. Warding off the urge to skip around on the list
will take some discipline but the sense of accomplishment at
completed tasks is well worth the effort.
The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should
also keep a notepad in their car, purse, coat and on their bed
stand. Thoughts come and go quickly. Jotting the good ideas down
will ensure that they don’t go away quickly - assuming the notepad
does not get lost in the process...
The alarm clock or a wristwatch with an
alarm can be a great tool for the Attention Deficit Disorder
adult. If you need to pick your child up from soccer practice at a
certain time, set the alarm. If you have food cooking on the stove
and you leave the kitchen, set the alarm. If you have an important
appointment, set the alarm.
Large tasks tend to overwhelm the Attention
Deficit Disorder adult and they often put off large task as long
as possible. It is not uncommon for the Attention Deficit Disorder
adult to procrastinate until the "11th Hour" and then
pull an all-night jam session trying to meet a deadline.
For large tasks, the Attention Deficit
Disorder adult will do well to break the task into smaller, more
manageable tasks and attach deadlines to the smaller tasks. If you
need to finish a large project in one week, for instance, schedule
specific time each day to work on a specific aspect of the
project.
An adult with
symptoms ADHD might find it beneficial to enlist the help of a coach. A coach is
a close and trusted friend, co-worker or therapist whose specific
function is to help the Attention Deficit Disorder adult stay
organized, on track and focused while providing encouragement.
