Many people aren’t aware of the fact that adults can live with ADHD. Psychiatrists reveal that ADHD develops in childhood and may stay into adulthood without being diagnosed. Even though children with ADHD are treated, their symptoms may persist despite their advancing age, possibly looking and feeling slightly different. Those adults who have ADHD may be experiencing new symptoms or suffering from aggravated earlier symptoms due to the responsibilities and challenges of adulthood. In this read, we will be giving a complete picture of what ADHD looks like in adults, how it’s diagnosed, and how it can be treated with ADHD treatment in Wales.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a medical abbreviation for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that presents as either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity, or both.
How Does ADHD Look Like in Adults- The Signs and Patterns
The signs of ADHD can, over time, change and manifest differently at different ages. Adults with ADHD generally show the following signs:
- A struggle with routine tasks, staying organised, work, and relationships
- Frustration and a failure/loser-like feeling
- Inability to manage time properly and keep personal belongings within reach
- Reduced hyperactivity or extreme restlessness/being too fidgety
- Impulsive, uncontrollable behaviour
- Switch to unhealthy practices like poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, substance misuse, and poor sleep.
- Forgetful of essential tasks like paying bills, attending appointments, or returning calls.
- Struggle with upkeep of finances, meeting deadlines, following instructions, listening to details, and maintaining personal and social lives.
The signs of ADHD can be severe and may interfere with the routine of the patient. Without appropriate treatment and support, ADHD may lead to a risk to well-being.
How is ADHD Confirmed in Adults?
For the diagnosis of ADHD, a checklist to rate ADHD symptoms is used. The patient’s history of behaviour and experiences is discussed with the patient’s family, colleagues, and friends, and it is determined if ADHD signs were present before the age of 12 years.
Sometimes, a medical or psychological exam is ordered to rule out other possible mental health conditions with symptoms overlapping with ADHD or often found to be associated with ADHD. The symptoms include anxiety, depression, sleep problems, learning disabilities, and substance/alcohol misuse.
How Can Signs of ADHD in Adults Be Managed?
The right strategy and tools can help manage ADHD in adults, which is determined based on the patient and their environment. Here are some of the methods and tools worth considering:
- Care for mental and physical health – Adults with ADHD should prioritize getting adequate sleep at night, eating a healthy diet, staying active, reducing stress, improving their mood, staying hydrated, and getting enough sunlight to manage their symptoms.
- An established structure and routine – Adults with ADHD should schedule their daily activities at specific times to establish a routine and learn effective time management.
- Staying on track- Adults with ADHD perceive and manage time differently than normal adults. They find it challenging to estimate how long their tasks will take and to adhere to their schedules. So, they need to tackle their time blindness with reminder apps and alarms- the timers with sounds and colorful visuals to catch their attention.
- Psychiatrist help- Adults with ADHD should be working with a trained and qualified professional, an adult psychiatrist. An adult psychiatrist can help develop strategies to cope with specific challenges and manage ADHD symptoms with a multimodal approach. The treatments offered by psychiatrists include medications, psychological interventions like CBT, behavioral interventions, regular review by a clinician, and management of risks associated with ADHD, as well as comorbid conditions.
- Additional support – Adults with ADHD should seek support and advice from friends, colleagues, or family members and build a sense of community. They can even go to ADHD support groups and online forums.
Seek the Best Private Professional Help for ADHD.
In the UK, the Wales Psychiatry Centre is a reputable psychiatry clinic in Cardiff, led by the esteemed psychiatrist Dr. Raman Sakhuja. He provides an accurate diagnosis of ADHD and can offer the best strategies and tools to help cope with ADHD symptoms. Arrange for a consultation with Dr. Raman Sakhuja today and get psychiatric services for ADHD management at reasonable prices.