Adult Male ADHD Symptoms
Men often mask their ADHD symptoms. This can make it hard to recognize and treat ADHD.
Adults can exhibit hyperactivity in subtler ways. Adult male ADHD symptoms include trouble sitting through meetings or movies, fidgeting, biting nails and a constant desire to take on new hobbies.
1. Inattentiveness
If you're prone to inattention ADHD symptoms, you might forget important details of meetings or work assignments. You may struggle to stay organized, and you may often leave projects unfinished (like the vegetable garden that never was planted or the organizational system you assembled but never used). You might also struggle to follow instructions and complete tasks. These issues can cause you problems in all areas of your life.
It can also be difficult to maintain focus during conversations. You could be imagining imagined scenarios in your mind while thinking about your hobbies, or replaying content from social media in your head when you're supposed to be listening to others. This can cause problems in your relationships and make you feel like you're not paying attention.
Your problems with managing time are another common symptom of adult male ADHD. You might procrastinate, miss appointments, and don't know the time it takes to complete a task. You might even lose things that are essential to accomplish your 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. Those who have predominantly inattentive ADHD symptoms usually possess good verbal communication skills, a natural creative ability and the ability to see opportunities to solve problems that others might miss.
If you suspect you may have adult ADHD the first step is to speak to your GP. They will be able to refer you to the best treatment for you. This could be Community Mental Health Services, or specialized Neurodevelopmental Services. It is essential to be diagnosed, as if you don't acknowledge and address your issues, they could worsen over time. It's important to note that some people are misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety when the real cause of their problems is ADHD.
2. Interjections
Adults suffering from ADHD tend to have poor listening skills, which can cause misunderstandings. They may also miss deadlines because they misunderstand the length of time needed to complete a task or they might be distracted by other things and forget to complete the task at the moment. People with undiagnosed ADHD or ADHD that is poorly controlled often have problems with their family members or partners. They may be viewed as nagging, unreliable or incompetent. Their inability to meet commitments can cause conflicts and discord.
Many people suffering from ADHD are prone to dropping phrases into their conversations, even without realising they are doing so. These words and phrases such as "oh my," or "yippee!" can add a sense of spontaneity to your speech, but they are also a sign that you may not be able hold an uninterrupted conversation. You may be tempted to speak up if you're feeling overwhelmed by emotions or are unable to remember what you have already said.
Interjections can be described as onomatopoeia since they mimic the sound of the emotion they express. Interjections are not grammatical like the other eight parts (nouns verbs adjectives adverbs prepositions conjunctions prefixes) of speech.
In addition to interjections, people with ADHD often have difficulty reading social boundaries that are specific to their situation. ADHD adult female symptoms tend to interfere with or interrupt others frequently. This can be disruptive in workplaces and result in you missing opportunities to make the most of. You may also appear rude to other people, and some people will find it hard to believe that you are serious. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from substance misuse, which can be extremely detrimental 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 may have trouble keeping on top of appointments, keep track of social obligations, complete chores or pay bills on time. This can lead to frustration and a decrease in self-esteem. Adults who are not treated for ADHD are more likely to have marital problems and are more at risk of losing their jobs, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Most often, people with ADHD tend to utilize their impulsivity in order to compensate for poor organizational skills. For example, they may be more likely to take notes during a meeting or scribble down reminders on notes on a post-it. They may also fidget by tapping their feet, doodle or bite their nails to distract themselves from a stressful job. This type of behavior could also cause anxiety because the brain replays thoughts of worry.
Many people suffering from untreated ADHD don't realize that their symptoms are due to an illness of the brain. Genetics and environmental influences such as certain issues with the central nervous system at key moments of development, can increase the odds of developing ADHD.
A diagnosis of ADHD can help adults become organized, increase productivity at work and school and improve their relationships with their families and friends. Treatment options include medication and peer support groups, individual and group counseling, and behavioral coaching.
If you notice that someone you know is suffering from ADHD it is crucial to know more about the disorder and discuss your concerns with a trained health professional. Educating yourself about the condition and providing your loved ones with access to resources can help. Some adult ADHD peer-support groups offer separate groups specifically for spouses and partners.
4. Impulsivity
Controlling impulses is a major issue for people with ADHD. They may find they blurt out words and behaviors on a whim that cause embarrassment or damage in professional and personal settings. They may also cause stress in relationships and risk negative consequences in the near future.
Adults with ADHD are likely to exhibit impulsiveness in a variety of ways, ranging from physical actions without inhibition to thoughts that are not physical or actions. These impulsive actions that are referred to as emotional dyscontrol, could be more damaging than they seem when they're not recognized by the person who is suffering from them.
Adults with ADHD are quick to react to stimuli. For example, they may respond to a text message or email before the other party has finished speaking. They may also have difficulty deciding when to wait for their turn when speaking with others. Additionally, their impulsive behavior can be triggered by certain food items or circumstances. These events can cause an increase in brain dopamine, making it hard for those with ADHD not to react to impulses.
Untreated impulsivity can result in regret and guilt in the long run. It can result in missing deadlines at work, disappointing friends, and even broken relationships. For some, impulsive remarks and actions can be detrimental to their self-esteem.
Because of this the diagnosis of ADHD can be a great relief for those who suffer from it. It can be difficult for the people around them, however, if they're misunderstood and unfairly judged for the symptoms they display. For example, they can feel like they're being called inactive or unmotivated to do something when their issues are due to ADHD. They may also be dissatisfied that they weren't referred to the appropriate health service earlier for an assessment.
5. Poor Time Management
Most often those who suffer from ADHD have trouble planning ahead. This can lead to them having problems completing tasks within their deadlines or estimating the time it will take, and procrastinating until the last minute. This can cause them to lose opportunities, have a hard finding jobs, and also make financial mistakes. This can also affect their physical health, as they might miss appointments, or not take medication or have trouble adhering to diet and fitness plans.
Hyperactivity is a common characteristic of children with ADHD However, many adults don't display it. This symptom is often manifested by a inability to focus and fidgeting, or a feeling of disarray.
It isn't easy for men to remember and follow through on their plans. This can lead to people being late for meetings and social events or ignoring deadlines. It can also lead to frustration in relationships as partners may feel like they are walking on eggshells.
Men with ADHD can be very enthusiastic about their ideas, and this can lead them to start new projects, but not finish them. They are also unable to stay focused and will frequently start a task, only to stop and move on to the next item on their list.
It is important to be aware of these symptoms and seek assistance in the event that they affect your day-to-day life. You can do this by taking an online ADHD test for adults (click here to take it) or scheduling an appointment on video with one of our clinicians at Circle Medical, who can diagnose and prescribe ADHD medication online.