ADHD symptoms in adults - Top 10

It may surprise you to know that about 4% of the adult population in the United States have ADHD, other wise known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This is despite the general understanding that ADHD is a disorder exclusive to children. In saying that symptoms of ADHD are usually present before a child reaches 7 years old but can carry on into adulthood.

What is adult ADHD? Firstly it is not adult ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). It is a disorder whereby sufferers have difficulty with self regulation and self motivation which can lead to the symptoms mentioned below. Treatments for adult ADHD have advanced over the years with cognitive behaviour therapy showing promising as well lifestyle choices such as diet to control stress.

Research has found that adults with ADHD are more likely to have car crashes and not finish their education. This is despite research also showing that the intelligence and learning abilities of ADHD sufferers is the same as those without the disorder.

Adult ADHD can be devstating. It can affect work, personal relationships and the ability to keep friends. It can also lead to depression if left untreated. But what are the symptoms of adult ADHD? Lets take a look at the ten most common symptoms breaking them up into the two categories that make up ADHD.

10. Inability to focus

This involves giving up on tasks quickly that the person finds boring or perhaps even too difficult. However the flip side to this is that adult ADHD can also mean the obsession with tasks that are interesting.

9. Relationship difficulties

Adults with ADHD find it difficult to maintain relationships. This can be for a variety of reasons whether it be being unable to concentrate in conversation or as mentioned above being obsessed over little things.

8. Forgetfulness

ADHD in adults can manifest itself into being absent minded. This can be forgetting where you have put something only a minute ago or forgetting to do a recent task.

7. Getting distracted

ADHD sufferers are distracted easily. This comes from their difficulty in maintaining concentraion on the task at hand. When something else interesting comes along they forget what their doing and adjust their concentration to this new thing. This can often be mistaken for dyslexia symptoms. There are a number of books available that focus on more attention and less distraction strategies for Adult ADHD.

6. Impulsiveness

Adults with ADHD often behave in impulsive ways. They may not take considered time to draw out all the consequences of an action or decision but instead act on the moment. We know that this can be OK sometimes but it can also lead to undue risks.

5. Easily irritated

Children and adults alike with ADHD and ADD get irritated easily. They might experience frustration over small things that may not be an issue to those who don't suffer from these disorders.

Now there is the second element to ADHD, that being hyperactivity. Lets see what symptoms of this element would be evident in adults.

4. Can't relax

ADHD sufferers find it difficult to sit still and be relaxed. They are always on the go both in the mind and in body. This can cause health issues such as high blood pressure.

3. Requirment for stimulation

Adults with ADHD often seek out high stimulating jobs. It might be something to do with their hands or jobs where they are constantly moving. This of course is because they get bored so easily.

2. Fidgeting

All these symptoms are related and we can see how fidgeting is connected to the requirement for stimulation and having to constantly move. ADHD sufferers are always moving position, rarely comfortable in the same spot for long and fidgeting with things.

1. Anger management issues

Due to the need for stimulation, the inability to concentrate for long and being obsessive over little things, adults with ADHD often have bad tempers and find it difficult to cope with high anxiety.