Treating Adult ADHD Symptoms in Men
Many men suffer from undiagnosed ADHD throughout their lives. Their struggles at work, school and even in the family can lead to stress, resentment and self-criticism.
It's easy for people to miss the diagnosis because ADHD symptoms can be confused with mood disorders, and other conditions. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a specialist.
1. Inconsistent Attention span
If you have ADHD you may find it hard to get your personal and professional life under control. You may forget important details and leave work unfinished or be late with your responsibilities. These issues can eventually lead to a feeling of frustration and despair. The good news is that you can manage your adult ADHD symptoms and find solutions to help you manage your life and relationships.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently experience inconsistency in their attention span. Even when you're enthusiastic, you might have trouble sticking with tasks or paying close attention to detail. For instance, you may miss appointments or miss important information in conversations since you're easily distracted by thoughts that pop up in your mind. You may also feel uneasy during meetings, fidgeting or moving your feet or hands.
You may also have a tendency to emotional outbursts, or have difficulties controlling your emotions. This could cause your relationships to suffer and can make others think you're irresponsible or self-centered.
Issues with prioritizing or impulsivity are also signs of adult ADHD. You may forget to pay your bills or fulfill your social obligations. This can create stress and strain in relationships. You could also have a hard time managing your finances, and end up with a substantial amount of debt. In addition, you may be prone to over-indulging in alcohol or other narcotics.
You might also have a tendency to begin projects but never finish them. You may be prone to getting excited by new ideas, but eventually losing interest. This means that you're left with a number of projects and tasks that are not completed that are lying around your house. You might also find yourself forgetting to take your medication or failing to meet your health and diet goals. These issues can lead to many issues in your daily routine and affect your relationships with your family, friends and colleagues. You might also feel angry or ashamed, and even depressed. A diagnosis can help explain why you are experiencing these difficulties and offer hope for the future.
2. Ignoring Others
Adults can also suffer from hyperactivity and an impulsive nature. They may also exhibit inattention symptoms, such as forgetfulness and trouble keeping track of their work. This could be a sign of procrastination and disorganization, which could lead to people not paying attention to their work and relationships. This can cause stress, arguments and can make you feel overwhelmed and hopeless.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD can suffer for years before they are diagnosed and realize their problems aren't their own fault. Some may have branded them "lazy," 'irresponsible,' or'stupid' because of their lack of memory or inability to complete tasks. These difficulties may also cause them to feel they're not achieving their full potential in the workplace or in other aspects of their lives.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms may appear similar to symptoms of social anxiety or depression and is a reason why some people don't get diagnosed. People with inattentive ADHD may have trouble understanding what others are talking about or listening to what they are saying. They may also have trouble understanding how long it will be before they can complete the task. symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults can lead to procrastination or missed deadlines.
Another way that people can act like they're not paying attention is by bringing up their thoughts during conversations or interrupting others. You may also notice they have a glazed over expression when you speak to them. In the past, perhaps you attempted to reduce this behavior by avoiding eye contact, and also making nonverbal gestures of welcoming such as smiling or leaning forward. But now, you might be avoiding certain places or social events at which you are sure that the person you're trying to ignore will be present.
People who have inattention ADHD are also more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. Gender plays a role in how these disorders manifest in adulthood as well; men with ADHD are more likely to experience heightened hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, while women tend toward more inattention symptoms. This is why a psychiatric examination is necessary to rule out any other medical conditions before determining if you have ADHD. Instability and hyperactivity aren't common symptoms for most people suffering from ADHD.
3. Impulsivity
Men with ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. This can lead to sudden actions and decisions that could have dire consequences. They could interrupt others during conversations, make rash life-altering choices, or engage in dangerous behaviors. These impulsive behavior can also cause problems within their relationships with family and friends.
For instance, they could forget to pay a bill on time or leave the keys in the ignition before leaving for work. This could leave their coworkers feeling frustrated and out of the loop. In the workplace, this can lead to delayed deadlines and reduced productivity.
In addition to the fact that they forget, some adults with ADHD have trouble being able to keep their commitments. It's not that they don't care about their commitments, but because their brains are flooded with distractible tasks and thoughts.
This can lead to an unprofessional performance at work or a lack respect from co-workers and supervisors.
Hyperactivity isn't as prevalent as a symptom for adults with ADHD as it is in children. Only a small percentage of adults exhibit this sign. However, restlessness and a desire for stimulation are still typical symptoms of adult ADHD. This can manifest as fidgeting, trouble getting comfortable or a constant desire to talk and be stimulated.
People with ADHD are unable to comprehend social boundaries. This can lead them to intrude on other people's conversations or activities without permission. They might also overshare details or make comments that are inappropriate for the situation. This can cause tension in relationships and can cause stress in friendships.
Men who suffer from ADHD often have issues managing their finances and may be susceptible to making errors in their spending. They can also struggle to keep on top of important dates and events, such as birthdays or anniversaries.
You should receive the correct treatment for adult ADHD symptoms. It's possible to do this by visiting a psychiatrist with experience assessing and treating ADHD. You can be directed to a psychiatrist through your doctor or a registered psychologist, or you can self refer. They will ask questions about your history and lifestyle to get a complete picture of your symptoms. They will also assess the risk of other illnesses like anxiety and depression. They will then recommend an approach to treat your adult ADHD. This usually includes behavioral therapy, lifestyle modifications and support. In some instances they might prescribe a drug, such as Atomoxetine (formerly Strattera).
4. Disorganization
People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD struggle to keep their lives in order. They may have trouble prioritizing tasks, sticking to a daily routine or remembering appointments, as well as managing their finances. These issues can result in relationship issues and a feeling of failure. They can also lead to a variety of health issues, including chronic stress and anxiety, sleep disorders and poor eating habits.
Adults with ADHD are unable to remain focused, especially when the task is dull monotonous, repetitive, or boring. They may feel restless and struggle to sit through meetings at school or at work, making them seem impatient and talkative. They may also fidget in their seats, or squirm and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. This is similar to the hyperactivity children with ADHD exhibit, but it may be different in adults, as they may not be as obviously restless.
Adults with ADHD can experience periods of hyperfocus, primarily when they are engaged in a task they love or find satisfying. These intense periods of concentration can be beneficial in the workplace, for instance, when a person with ADHD concentrates on their work or a passion they enjoy and is unable to focus on anything else. This can help them get ahead in their careers, but it can also cause lots of stress when they fail to complete daily chores, remember appointments, or keep track of their bank account.
People suffering from ADHD can appear irritable and unorganized, which can create a sense of self-blame and low self-esteem. It can be difficult to maintain healthy relationships with family, friends and colleagues due to their struggles with focus and organization. Adults with ADHD might not realize they have problems until they start having serious consequences at home or at work, such as missing medical appointments or losing important paperwork, or racking up debt as a result of the impulsive spending.
There are a variety of treatments and therapies that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Therapies based on talking, like psychotherapy, are beneficial for people with ADHD. They can help them understand their challenges and learn to manage their symptoms. These types of therapy are offered by an experienced counselor, a licensed psychologist, clinical psychologist or psychotherapist with special training in ADHD.