Crisis Intervention Services are available 24 hours a day by calling, toll-free 1-800-621-8504 Behavioral Health & IDD Centralized Intake 1-800-669-4166 Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral (OSAR) for Substance Abuse Treatment 1-800-588-8728 or 940-224-6200 Wichita Falls and surrounding counties
What are the signs and symptoms of Adult ADHD?
According to the diagnostic manual for mental disorders, (DSM-5; APA, 2013), the main features of ADHD are the same for children and adults. These are:
1. Inattention;
2. Hyperactivity;
3. Impulsivity.
Although adults and children with ADHD seem to have different problematic behaviors, these behaviors are rooted in the same symptom set. The symptoms just look a bit different in adults. For instance, an adult might repeatedly tap his pencil eraser on the conference table, and fidget in his chair during a meeting, whereas a child might get up and run around the classroom. In both cases, these are examples of hyperactivity and restlessness. For more information about childhood ADHD, please refer to our companion article on childhood ADHD. LINK
Adult ADHD Symptoms: Inattention
Adult ADHD Symptoms: Hyperactivity & Impulsivity
The above items are the actual DSM-5 symptoms that form the diagnostic criteria for adult ADHD. However, as we will see next, there are many other symptomatic behaviors that are common in ADHD adults.
Other Common Adult ADHD Signs & Symptoms
Below is a list of other hyperactive or impulsive behaviors that may indicate adult ADHD. However, keep in mind, these symptoms are not unique to adult ADHD and may be indicative of other disorders. Therefore, it is important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. Successful treatment hinges upon an accurate diagnosis.
Disorganization and Difficulty with Task Completion (Executive Functioning):
The following list highlights some of the most prominent features of adult ADHD. These kinds of difficulties suggest a problem with an important brain function called executive functioning. In a sense, the executive function of the brain acts like a manager that prioritizes and sequences the work that needs to be done. Poorly developed executive function skills can result in several problems:
Emotional Instability-
Other symptoms frequently observed in adults with ADHD include emotional instability and low stress tolerance, as evidenced by the following:
Low Stress Tolerance-
About Us | About CenterSite | Terms & Privacy
Copyright © CenterSite, LLC, 1995-2019