Treating Adult ADHD Symptoms in Men
Many men suffer from undiagnosed ADHD. Their struggles at work, school and with family can lead to stress, resentment and self-criticism.
It's also easy to overlook a diagnosis since ADHD symptoms are often mixed up with mood disorders, anxiety and other ailments. A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough assessment by a specialist.
1. Inconsistently sluggish attention span
It can be difficult to manage your home and work life if you have ADHD. You might forget important details and leave work unfinished or get behind on your obligations. In time, these issues can cause a feeling of hopelessness and despair. The good news is that you can address your adult ADHD symptoms and discover solutions to help manage your life and relationships.
Men with adult ADHD typically experience a lack of consistency when it comes to their attention span. Even when you're enthusiastic, you might have trouble sticking with tasks or paying attention to details. You might, for example you miss important conversations or appointments because you are easily distracted by thoughts that appear in your mind. You might also feel agitated in meetings, fumbling around or moving your hands or feet.
You might also be prone to emotional outbursts and may have difficulty controlling your emotions. This can affect your relationships and make others believe that you are not responsible.
Other symptoms of adult ADHD are issues with prioritizing and impulsivity. You might forget to pay your bills or keep up with social commitments. This can cause stress and strain in a relationship. You could also have a hard time managing your finances and end up with a large amount of debt. You might also be prone to overindulgence in drugs or alcohol.
You may also have a tendency to begin projects but not complete them. You may be prone to being enthralled by new ideas, only to end up losing interest. You will find that you've got a lot of unfinished projects and tasks in your home. It is also possible that you frequently forget to take your medication or fail to meet your dietary or health goals. These issues can cause many issues in your life and impact your relationships with family members or friends as well as coworkers. They can cause you to feel embarrassed, angry and depressed. A diagnosis can help you understand the reason you're experiencing these issues and give you hope for the future.
2. Ignoring Others
Adults may also be affected by hyperactivity and an impulsive nature. They can also display inattention symptoms, such as inattention and difficulty keeping track of their work. It is often apparent that they are not paying attention to work and relationships due to procrastination, or disorganization. This can cause stress, lead to disputes, and make people feel hopeless and overwhelmed.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD may suffer for years before they receive a diagnosis and realize that their problems aren't the result of their own fault. Others may have called them "lazy," 'irresponsible, or even stupid due to their forgetfulness or inability complete tasks. These issues can also cause them to feel they're not achieving their maximum potential in their work or in other aspects of their lives.
Inattention ADHD symptoms may appear similar to symptoms of depression or social anxiety as well, which is another reason some people don't get diagnosed. People with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty listening to others or understanding what they're being told. They may also have trouble estimating the time before they can complete the task. This can result in procrastination or missing deadlines.
Another way people might behave like they're not paying attention is by interjecting their thoughts into conversations or interrupting others. You might also notice that they're wearing a glazed expression when you speak to them. In the past, you might have tried to hide this behavior by abstaining from eye contact and making smiles or leaning in. But now, you might find yourself avoiding certain places or social events at which you are certain that the person you're trying to avoid will be present.
In addition, people with inattention ADHD can be more prone to comorbid conditions, like depression or anxiety. The gender of the person is a factor in how these disorders develop in adulthood too as men who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience increased symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity and women are more likely to exhibit inattentive symptoms. This is why a psychiatric examination is important to rule out any other medical conditions before determining if you have ADHD. It's worth mentioning that, for the vast majority of people suffering from ADHD, hyperactivity and impulsivity don't present as prominent symptoms.
3. Impulsivity
Men with ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions and impulses. This can lead to sudden actions and choices that could have serious consequences. They could interrupt others during conversations, make rash life-altering choices or engage in risky behaviors. These impulsive behavior can also cause problems within their relationships with family and friends.
For example, they might forget to pay an invoice on time, or leave their keys in the ignition when going to work. This could leave their colleagues feeling frustrated and out of the loop. In the workplace, it could cause missed deadlines and lost productivity.
Certain people with ADHD also have difficulty staying on track with their commitments. This isn't because they aren't interested, but because their brain is overloaded with a myriad of thoughts and tasks.
This could also result in to a poor performance at work or lack of respect from supervisors and coworkers.
Hyperactivity isn't as prevalent a symptom in adults suffering from ADHD as it is in children. Only ADHD symptoms in adults females of adults have this symptom. However, restlessness and a desire for stimulation are still common signs of ADHD. This can manifest itself as fidgeting or difficulty relaxing or a constant need to talk and be motivated.
People who suffer from ADHD have difficulty reading social boundaries. This can lead them to interfere with other people's conversations or activities without permission. They might also share information too much or make inappropriate remarks. This can create tension in relationships and even strained friendships.
Men with ADHD often have trouble managing their finances and may be more prone to make mistakes in their spending. They may also have difficulty to keep on top of important dates and occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
It's important to get an accurate diagnosis to ensure that you receive the correct treatment for your adult ADHD symptoms. This can be done by consulting a psychiatrist who has expertise in assessing and treating ADHD. Your GP or registered psychologist can recommend one to you or you may self-refer. They will ask you questions about your life and history to create a full picture of your symptoms. They will also determine the risk of other conditions like anxiety and depression. The doctor will then recommend a treatment plan for adult ADHD. This may include lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy and support. In some instances they may prescribe a medication, such as Atomoxetine (formerly Strattera).
4. Disorganization
Men who have not been diagnosed with ADHD frequently have difficulty managing their lives. They may struggle with prioritizing tasks, sticking to a daily routine and remembering appointments as well as managing personal finances. Often, these difficulties contribute to problems with relationships and feeling of personal failure. They can also trigger a variety of health issues, including anxiety and stress, sleep disorders and poor eating habits.
Adults with ADHD struggle to stay focused, especially when the task is boring, repetitive, or unrewarding. They might be agitated or find it hard to sit through meetings, whether at work or school. This can cause them to appear impatient and talkative. Additionally, they might be prone to squirm or fidget in their chairs and have difficulty being still for prolonged periods of time. This is similar to the hyperactivity that kids with ADHD display, however it can manifest differently in adults because they might not be as obviously restless.
Adults with ADHD are prone to experiencing periods of hyperfocus, especially when they are engaged in a task they love or find satisfying. These intense periods of concentration can be beneficial in the workplace, for example the person suffering from ADHD focuses on their work or a pastime they enjoy and shuts out all other distractions. This symptom may aid them in their profession, but it could also be a source of frustration when they are unable to manage their checkbook and appointments, or complete their daily tasks.
People with ADHD may seem forgetful and disorganized, which can cause 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 issues with focus and organization. Adults with ADHD might not realize they have a problem until they suffer severe consequences in their jobs or at home, such as having medical appointments missed, losing important documents, or incurring debt because of impulse purchases.
There are many different kinds of therapies and treatments that can assist people suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Generally, talk-based therapies like psychotherapy are beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because they can assist them in developing an understanding of their struggles and help them manage their symptoms. These types of therapy are delivered by professional counselors, registered psychologist, clinical psychology or psychotherapist with special training in ADHD.