ADHD in Adults Symptoms uk
As adults, ADHD symptoms can be harder to diagnose. This is because environment and expectations change.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a talk treatment that could help. You can locate the nearest therapist on the NHS website. It's best to find one who is knowledgeable about ADHD and has experience treating it.
1. Poor concentration
Difficulty concentrating is one of the most frequent signs of ADHD in adults. It can affect school or work performance and make it difficult to handle responsibilities, and cause issues with relationships. The symptoms of poor concentration may be evident from the beginning of childhood, however, they can continue to be a problem into adulthood. They can have a significant impact on the lives of individuals.
In a world cluttered with texts and social media notifications and ambient noises, it's easy to lose your focus. People who suffer from ADHD find these distractions difficult to ignore. They also are more easily distracted, especially by their own thoughts and thoughts. This makes it difficult to prioritize tasks or keep commitments. This could cause them to procrastinate and miss deadlines.
Some people with ADHD find it easier to concentrate on things they are passionate or enjoy about, a process known as hyperfocus. This can be beneficial in certain situations, but it's also an indication of their ADHD symptoms becoming more evident.
Stress, mental health issues, and certain physical conditions and illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. It is crucial to have the right diagnosis made. Talking with your GP is the first step and they'll be able refer you to a specialist to conduct an assessment if needed. You can increase your concentration by making plans ahead and removing distracting factors. Maintaining a healthy sleep routine and avoiding caffeine, sugar and alcohol before bed can help.
2. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain operates. ADHD can be a problem for people in many aspects of their lives, such as family, work and home. Certain people might also suffer from anxiety, depression or eating disorders.

It is not uncommon to see symptoms of ADHD to carry on into adulthood, particularly when they first appeared in the early years of childhood. The primary symptoms of the disorder are difficulty paying attention, being easily distracted and losing things. Adults who suffer from ADHD may also find it difficult to prioritize tasks or maintain productivity. This can lead to stress or poor performance at school or work. They may also experience difficulty sleeping and may feel restless in the time they should be sleeping. Physical signs of restlessness can be fidgeting and walking around, or feeling as though they have to move even when they are not working or sleeping.
There are many different kinds of ADHD among them, and the most prevalent is called inattentive ADHD. Children with this presentation typically struggle to sit still, exhibit a lot of excess energy and are very talkative. signs and symptoms of add and ADHD in adults may also be impulsive, interrupting others or acting without thinking.
People who are struggling with ADHD symptoms may decide to participate in a trial to discover new treatments. This is a good idea to help them improve their symptoms while leading more fulfilled lives. But, it's important to keep in mind that the primary objective of a clinical trial is to collect new scientific information. This is why it's crucial to speak with a healthcare expert prior to participating in any clinical trial.
3. Impulsivity
If you're more likely to say or doing things in the spur of the moment and not thinking about it This could be a sign that you have ADHD. This kind of impulsivity can also cause you to take risks and make hasty choices which could negatively impact your relationships.
Lack of inhibition could also be a sign of ADHD however it could appear different in adults than in teenagers or children. You might find it difficult to control your emotions or to stop yourself from engaging certain risky activities like gambling. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from overeating or spending money.
This is among the most frequent symptoms for adults with ADHD especially in females. It can be aggravated by hormonal changes like those that occur during menopausal. You may also find it difficult to finish everyday chores like cleaning the house and writing letters.
It is essential to talk with your GP If you're worried about ADHD. Your GP can then recommend you to a mental health service for an assessment, even though waiting times can be long. You can also get private assessments, such as through Psychiatry UK, which has an NHS contract to provide these assessments. They have a network of experts and can arrange an assessment for you swiftly.
4. Memory issues
Memory issues are a typical ADHD sign for adults. This could include a tendency to forget important details when completing tasks or activities, losing things that are required for daily living (eg keys papers, wallets, keys) and having trouble remembering names.
It can also be difficult to recognize faces among people that you know well. For women, this issue can get worse before and during menopause. Having trouble remembering things might be due to stress or a lack of sleep. If this is the situation, your doctor could recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) A therapy for talking which aims to alter the way you feel and think about a particular situation.
Impulsivity is a common characteristic of ADHD in adults. This can lead to problems in relationships, as they might say things without thinking that are hurtful or inappropriate. They also may struggle to control their emotions. They may experience'meltdowns' when they feel overwhelmed by a variety of emotions simultaneously, eg crying screaming, laughing, or shouting and moving all at once.
It is recommended that adults who think they have ADHD get a professional assessment. This can be done by a GP however waiting times for referrals can be lengthy. In the meantime, there are some self-help measures that can assist with symptoms. This includes eating healthy food and getting enough sleep and avoiding drinking alcohol for two hours prior to bed and avoiding screen time prior to going to bed.
5. Organisational problems
People suffering from ADHD struggle to organize their personal and professional lives. This can lead to them forgetting appointments or leaving tasks unfinished. It can also be difficult to stick to a regular schedule of sleep and wake up in the morning. This is especially challenging for women experiencing menopausal changes, as ADHD symptoms may worsen.
If someone regularly daydreams excessively and interrupts conversations or is unable to take turns in a conversation, this could be an indication of ADHD. In the same way, if someone regularly gets in trouble at school or at work due to making hasty decisions or acting without thinking of the consequences, this could be another possibility of a sign.
The presence of emotional issues is common among adults suffering from ADHD and are a major component of the disorder. They can manifest as mood swings and irritability or as impulsivity and hyperactivity. These symptoms are more frequent for people suffering from an impulsive ADHD than inattentive ADHD.
Talk to your GP if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. Although they're not able to definitively determine ADHD, they can refer you to specialists who can evaluate your symptoms and recommend treatment. You can also speak to your local ADHD group. They may offer tips and advice on how to manage your symptoms. For more information on where to find groups on the internet, the website ADHD And You has a list of groups by country. Inquiring your employer to provide reasonable accommodations to help you in your work life is also worth it.
6. Poor social skills
A lack of social skills makes it difficult for someone to discern subtle signals from others. This can lead awkward interactions or misunderstandings, and result in people separating themselves.
It's not unusual for those with ADHD to have a lack of social skills, particularly in early adulthood or during childhood. However, the symptoms have to have been present for at least six months and have clearly affected their lives at home, school, or at work. They must also be unable to be better explained by another psychiatric condition.
Adults can experience symptoms of ADHD can manifest in various ways. For instance, some people struggle to stay focused in conversations or get distracted by external stimuli, such as phones or food items, or even other people. They might also struggle to establish and keep relationships and are often self-conscious about their actions.
In some instances, those who have ADHD might experience anxiety or depression, which makes them more difficult to function in the social world. Additionally, they could have difficulty managing their emotions, which may lead to issues at home and at work. They might become withdrawn and lose contact with their friends, or they may be more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs to get their fix. This could lead to serious health problems over the long run. They could also get involved in illegal activities, which could have legal consequences.