Adult Male ADHD Symptoms
Men may hide ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat.
Adults may display hyperactivity in subtler ways. Trouble sitting during meetings and watching movies and fumbling around in your seat or biting your nails or a constant desire to take on new hobbies could all be signs of male adult ADHD symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
If you're prone to inattention ADHD symptoms, you may miss important details of meetings or tasks at work. It may be difficult to stay on track and abandon projects that are not completed. You may also find it difficult to follow instructions and complete tasks. These issues can cause you issues in all aspects of your life.
You might also find it difficult to maintain focus during conversations. You could be imagining imagined scenarios in your head and thinking about your hobbies or replaying social media content in your brain when you're supposed to be listening to your fellow listeners. This could cause issues in your relationships, and it may make you feel that people think you're not paying attention.
Another symptom that is common is a problem with managing time. You might procrastinate, miss appointments, or misunderstand the time it takes to complete an assignment. You could even lose items necessary for your activities and tasks, such as keys or wallet.
It's important to remember that not everyone with ADHD has impulsivity or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, and those who only have inattentive ADHD symptoms don't necessarily act like children. The people who have mostly inattentive ADHD symptoms usually have excellent communication abilities, a natural creative flair and a tendency to spot opportunities to solve problems that others might not spot.
If you suspect that you suffer from adult ADHD the first step is to talk to your GP. They can recommend the most appropriate service for you. This could be Community Mental Health Services, or specialised Neurodevelopmental Services. It's crucial to get diagnosed since, in the event that your problems aren't addressed and treated, they could worsen over time. It's important to note that some people have been mistakenly diagnosed as having anxiety or depression, when the real cause of their problems is ADHD.
2. Interjections
Adults with ADHD typically have poor listening skills, and this can cause misunderstandings. They may also miss deadlines if do not understand the time it takes to complete a task or if they're distracted by other tasks. In relationships, people who have undiagnosed or poorly controlled ADHD often experience problems with their friends or partners. They may be perceived as undependable or nagging, and their inability to fulfill commitments can cause conflicts and discord.
People with ADHD tend to be guilty of interjecting in their conversations without even realizing it. These words and phrases such as "oh, my," or "yippee!" may add spontaneity to your speech, but they are also a sign that you might not be able hold conversations for long. It is possible that you find yourself needing to speak because you are overwhelmed with emotions, or you might not be able to remember what you've said previously.
Interjections can be referred to as "onomatopoeia" because they mimic the sound of the emotion that they are expressing. Interjections are not grammatical like the other eight parts (nouns adjectives prepositions verbs conjunctions prefixes) of speech.
People with ADHD tend to be unable to read social boundaries in a given situation and will often interrupt or intrude. This can be disruptive at work and lead to miss opportunities that are worth it. You could also come across as rude to others, and some people will find it hard to accept you as a serious person. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience addiction to drugs which can be extremely harmful to their health and well-being.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common ADHD sign that can lead to difficulties at work and in relationships. Adults suffering from ADHD can have difficulty keeping track of appointments, recollecting social obligations, completing chores or paying bills on time. ADHD symptoms in adulthood can lead to anxiety and a lower self-esteem. Adults who are not treated for ADHD are more likely to have marital problems and are at a higher risk of losing their jobs as per the National Institute of Mental Health.
Most often those with ADHD tend to utilize their impulsivity in order to cover up their poor organizational skills. They might, for instance, be more likely than other people to take notes in meetings or to note reminders on post-it notes. They may also be fidgeting tapping their feet, drawing or gnawing their nails to keep themselves from the pressure of a job. This type of behavior can be a trigger for anxiety, as the person's mind replays the worries of the day repeatedly.
Many adults with untreated ADHD don't realize that their symptoms are due to a neurological condition. Genetics and environmental factors that can cause problems with the central nervous system at key stages of development could increase the likelihood of developing ADHD.
A diagnosis of ADHD can help adults get organized, improve their productivity at school and work and improve their relationships with their family and friends. Treatment options include behavioral coaching, group and group therapy, peer support groups and medication.
If you suspect that someone you love is suffering from ADHD and you suspect that they do, you should find out more about it and talk to a healthcare professional. You can aid your loved ones by educating yourself about the disorder and providing them with resources. Certain adult ADHD peer-support groups provide separate groups just for spouses and partners.
4. Impulsivity
Controlling impulses is a major issue for people with ADHD. They may blurt out words and behaviours on a sudden whim, causing embarrassment and damage in both professional and personal settings. They may also cause stress in relationships and could have negative consequences in the near future.
Adults with ADHD are prone to impulsive behavior in a variety of ways, from physical actions without inhibition to thoughts that are not physical or actions. These impulsive behaviors, also called emotional disorders are more dangerous than they appear when the person experiencing them isn't aware of the cause.
Adults with ADHD are fast-moving and react quickly to stimuli. For example, they may respond to a text message or email before the other person has completed speaking. They may also have difficulty waiting for their turn to speak to others. Additionally, their impulsive behavior can be triggered by certain food items or circumstances. These events can cause the brain to release dopamine, making it hard for people with ADHD not to act on impulsive feelings.
In the long term untreated impulsivity could lead to heavy guilt and regret. It could mean a missed deadline at work or causing disappointment to friends, and strained relationships in general. For some, impulsive remarks and actions can be detrimental to their self-esteem.
Because of this the diagnosis of ADHD can be a source of relief for those who experience it. It can be frustrating for the people around them, however when they're misunderstood or unfairly judged on the characteristics they exhibit. They might feel that they're being labelled lazy or unwilling to do something, even though their issues are due to ADHD. They might also be upset that they weren't referred to the right health care provider earlier for an assessment.
5. Poor Time Management
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble making plans ahead. This can result in difficulties in completing tasks on time or estimating the time it will take, and procrastinating until the last minute. This can lead to being unable to take advantage of opportunities, having a hard finding a job and committing financial errors. It can also impact their physical health as they may miss medical appointments or skip medications, or have difficulty adhering to a diet and exercise plan.
While hyperactivity is a prominent symptom of ADHD in children, a majority of people with the disorder don't show it. The symptoms are typically manifested by a inability to focus, fidgeting or a sense of disorder.
It can be difficult for men to remember and follow through on plans. This can lead to people being late to meetings and social events, or missing deadlines at work. It could also cause frustration in relationships, since it can make people feel like they're walking around on eggshells.
Men who suffer from ADHD are more likely to start but not finish projects, as they can get very enthusiastic about their ideas. They are also unable to avoid distractions and often begin a project only to stop it and move on to the next item on their list.
It is important to recognise these signs and seek assistance if you think they're affecting your life. You can take an online ADHD test for adults (click here to take it) or by scheduling an appointment on video with one of our therapists at Circle Medical, who can diagnose and prescribe ADHD medication online.