Adult Male ADHD Symptoms
Men often hide their ADHD symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to diagnose and treat.
While children exhibit the more obvious symptoms of hyperactivity, adults show it in more subtle ways. Adult male ADHD symptoms include difficulty watching movies or meetings fidgeting, biting nails, and fidgeting and a constant desire to start new hobbies.
1. Inattentiveness
You may forget important details regarding work or meetings If you suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may have trouble staying organized, and often leave projects unfinished (like the vegetable garden that never was planted or the organization system you put together but never used). You may also find it difficult to follow instructions and complete tasks. These issues can cause you problems in all areas of your life.
You may 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 content from social media in your mind while you should be listening to other people. This could cause issues in your relationships and make you feel like you're not paying attention.
Another common symptom is a problem with managing time. You may delay or fail to attend appointments. You may also misunderstand the time required to complete a specific task. You could even lose items needed for 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. People who have predominantly inattentive ADHD typically have exceptional verbal communication skills, natural creativity and a capacity to see opportunities that others might not see.
Talk to your GP if you suspect you suffer from adult ADHD. They can refer you to the best service for you, such as Community Mental Health Services or specialist Neurodevelopmental Services. It is essential to be diagnosed, because if you don't recognize and treat your problems, they could worsen over time. It's important to note that some people are wrongly diagnosed with anxiety or depression, when the true cause of their difficulties is underlying ADHD.
2. Interjections
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have poor listening skills, and this can lead to miscommunications. They might also miss deadlines because they don't understand the time needed to complete a task or they could be distracted by other activities and forget to complete the task at work. People with undiagnosed ADHD or ADHD that is poorly managed often have issues with their family members or partners. They may be viewed as undependable, nagging or incompetent. Their inability to fulfill commitments can lead to conflicts and discord.
Many adults with ADHD are prone to dropping interjections into their conversations even without realising they are doing so. These phrases and words like "oh, my," or "yippee!" may add spontaneity to your speech, but they are also a sign you may not be able to hold conversations for long. You may feel the urge to interject if you are feeling overwhelmed by emotions or unable to remember what you've already said.
Interjections can be described as "onomatopoeia" because they mimic the sound of the emotion they convey. Interjections aren't grammatically equivalent to the other eight parts (nouns verbs adjectives adverbs prepositions conjunctions prefixes) of speech.
People with ADHD tend to be incapable of recognizing social boundaries in a particular situation, and often interrupt or intrude. This can cause disruption at work and lead to miss out on opportunities. You could also come across as rude to others, and some people will find it hard to take you seriously. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience substance misuse which can be extremely harmful to their health and well-being.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common ADHD symptom that can cause issues at work as well as in relationships. Adults with ADHD may struggle to keep track of appointments, remember social obligations, complete chores, or pay bills on time. This can cause feelings of frustration and low self-esteem. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, adults with untreated ADHD have a higher chance of having marital problems and losing their job.
People with ADHD often utilize their impulsivity as a way to compensate for their poor organization abilities. For instance, they may have a higher probability than other people to record notes in a meeting or write down reminders on post-it notes. They might also be distracted by tapping their feet, drawing or bite their nails to distract themselves from a stressful task. This type of behavior can cause anxiety, as the person's mind replays worrying thoughts over and over.
Many people with untreated ADHD do not realize that their symptoms are caused by neurological issues. Genetics and environmental influences that can cause problems with the central nervous system at key developmental stages can increase the risk of developing ADHD.
Diagnosed with ADHD Adults with ADHD can increase their academic performance, as well as work as well as their relationships with family and friends. Treatment options include medication, peer support groups, individual and group counseling, and behavioral coaching.
If you suspect that someone you love is suffering from ADHD or other disorders, you must learn more about the condition and discuss it with a health care professional. Learning ADHD and adults symptoms about the condition and giving your loved one access to resources can also help. Certain adult ADHD peer support groups offer separate groups for partners and spouses.
4. Impulsivity
Impulse control is a significant issue for people with ADHD. They may blurt out phrases and actions on a sudden whim which can cause embarrassment and harm in personal and professional environments. They can also cause strain to relationships and have negative implications in the near future.
The expression of impulsivity can take many forms in an adult suffering from ADHD and ranges from physical actions without inhibition to non-physically impulse-driven actions or thoughts. These impulsive behaviors that are referred to as emotional dysregulation, may be more harmful than they appear when they're not recognized by the person who is suffering from them.
The most obvious symptom of impulsiveness in people with ADHD is that they react quickly to stimuli. They might respond to an email or text message before their counterpart has finished talking. They may also have a difficult time waiting for their turn in talking to other people. Additionally, their urges could be triggered by certain foods or circumstances. When these triggers cause an increase in dopamine levels in the brain, it's difficult for people suffering from ADHD to resist the urge to act on an impulse.
In the long term, untreated impulsivity can cause a lot of guilt and regret. It can lead to missed deadlines at work, disappointed friends and broken relationships. Insane comments and actions can even harm the self-esteem of certain people.
For these reasons the diagnosis of ADHD can be a relief for those who are suffering from it. It can be difficult for those around them, however it can be frustrating if they're not understood and unfairly judged on the characteristics they display. They might feel that they are being called lazy or unwilling to do something, even though their issues are due to ADHD. They may be upset that they weren't referred earlier to the right health care provider to conduct an assessment.
5. Poor Time Management
Often those who suffer from ADHD have trouble planning ahead. They might have trouble meeting deadlines, underestimate how long it will take to complete a task, or put off completing a task until the very last minute. This could result in being unable to take advantage of opportunities, having a difficult time keeping a position and committing financial errors. This could also impact their physical health, since they may miss appointments, or not take medication, or have difficulty following the diet and fitness regimens.
While hyperactivity is a frequent symptom of ADHD in children, the majority of adults with the disorder do not display it. The symptoms are typically associated with restlessness, lack of motivation or fidgeting. It can also be a sign of chaos.
Insufficient time management is a common characteristic of adult male ADHD, as it can be difficult to remember or follow through with plans. This can lead to people being late to social events and meetings or missing deadlines. It can also be a source of frustration in relationships, as it can make partners feel like they're walking on eggshells.
Men with ADHD are often enthusiastic about their ideas, which could lead them to begin new projects, but not finish them. They are also unable to stay away from distractions, which is why they often start something then stop and go to the next item on their list.
It is essential to be aware of these signs and seek assistance when you suspect they're impacting your life. You can do this by taking an adult ADHD test online (click here to take it) or by scheduling a video consultation with one of Circle Medical's clinicians who can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication online.