ADHD in Men: Symptoms, Impact, & Treatment

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition featuring a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interferes with overall functioning. Symptoms can present differently depending on several factors, including age, gender, and environment.

The types of ADHD include:

• Inattentive ADHD: Inattentive ADHD results in predominant symptoms of distractibility, poor focus, and forgetfulness.
• Impulsive/hyperactive ADHD: Impulsive/hyperactive ADHD refers to behaviors such as interrupting, restlessness, and feeling perpetually “on the go.”
• Combined ADHD: Individuals with combined ADHD experience both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.

ADHD Symptoms in Men

As men age, their ADHD symptoms often become less noticeable. For instance, a man might no longer display the restless energy he had as a child but may continue to struggle with attention, memory, and organization. These subtler symptoms can complicate the diagnosis process in adulthood, as mental health professionals might overlook high-functioning ADHD.

Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in men may include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor time management or time blindness
• Shifts in mood or poor emotional regulation
• Chronic procrastination
• Making simple mistakes at work or school
• Failing to follow along in conversations
• Not following through on hobbies or ventures

Symptoms of hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in men may include:

• Interrupting conversations or blurting out answers
• Restlessness
• Feeling fidgety constantly
• Acting without assessing the negative consequences
• Trouble with waiting their turn
• Being unable to sit still for long periods

Signs of ADHD in Men

Some common signs of ADHD in adult men include problems with focus, an inability to multitask, and compromised time management skills. Even when men are outwardly successful, they may experience poor stress management skills or difficulties staying on task. Some may also have mood swings and a diminished tolerance for stress and frustration.

Common signs of ADHD in men include:

• Rejection-sensitive dysphoria: Men can experience ADHD-induced rejection-sensitive dysphoria, which is intense emotional pain and feelings of shame when they perceive rejection or criticism. They may overreact to minor comments or avoid social situations due to fear of rejection.
• Low motivation: Men with ADHD may find it hard to initiate tasks, especially those that they don’t find interesting. This can lead to procrastination or unfinished projects while only hyperfocusing on activities they find more engaging.
• Sleep disturbances: Men with ADHD often struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or having a consistent sleep schedule. ADHD-induced racing thoughts can disturb their sleep patterns.
• Poor planning skills: Men with ADHD may struggle with breaking down tasks into more manageable steps or not be able to anticipate potential obstacles. This can result in missed deadlines or underestimating the time needed to complete a project
• Difficulties with time management: Men with ADHD may not be able to conceptualize how much time a task will take. This can lead to chronic lateness or missing appointments, and they may also struggle with prioritizing tasks.
• Inability to focus on tasks: It may be challenging for men with ADHD to concentrate on tasks, especially those that they find boring or mundane. This can manifest as frequent task switching, being easily distracted, or having difficulty completing work.
• Excessive restlessness: Restlessness may be more obvious in men with ADHD than women with. Men externalize their ADHD more often through interrupting, ADHD fidgeting, or needing constant stimulation.
• Emotional dysregulation: Men with ADHD may feel emotions more intensely and become flooded with emotions, causing ADHD-induced emotional dysregulation. This could look like rapid mood swings, difficulty controlling anger, or overreaction to minor inconveniences.

ADHD in Men Vs. Women

ADHD symptom intensity varies between men and women. Some research suggests that symptoms of ADHD in men tend towards heightened levels of distraction and hyperactivity. In contrast, women with ADHD are more likely to present with inattentive symptoms.² Like with many other disorders, manifested differences rely heavily on roles and expectations within social environments.

Men with ADHD tend to receive a diagnosis more frequently and earlier than their female counterparts, likely due to the overt nature of their symptoms. Hyperactive behaviors are typically more noticeable and exacerbate stereotypical male characteristics. In academic and professional settings, these actions can be disruptive, thus receiving more attention than inattentive behaviors exhibited by women.

ADHD in Men Vs. Women

Impacts of ADHD in Men

Society often shames, misunderstands, or stigmatizes ADHD symptoms in men. Additionally, undiagnosed men may feel like something is fundamentally wrong with them, while those diagnosed may feel frustrated by their perceived limits. Eventually, untreated or unmanaged ADHD can lead to relationship, work-related, and personal problems that impact life satisfaction.

Some negative impacts of having ADHD as a man include:

Issues with Relationships

Many men with ADHD may experience relationship problems because of low impulse control or emotional dysregulation. They may be more prone to mood swings and anger, thus heightening conflict with loved ones. They may also be more distracted, meaning they can forget about important events, dates, or promises. Ultimately, these challenges can frustrate their partners or friends.

Poor Work or Academic Performance

Reduced impulse control, inattentiveness, and distractibility can make focusing on work or school difficult for men with ADHD. Reduced impulse control can lead to overly quick decision-making or interrupting colleagues, while inattentiveness and distractibility make focusing on tasks difficult, especially in busy environments like an office or classroom.

Some men with ADHD  perform well when they can hyperfocus on something they enjoy. However, others find that paying attention to less-than-desirable tasks impairs their ability to succeed. Additionally, many men with ADHD experience issues with procrastination and avoidance behaviors, sidestepping challenging tasks altogether. This can result in missed deadlines, incomplete assignments, or poor quality work, jeopardizing their career or academic work and leading to feelings of shame or worthlessness.

Increased Emotional Reactivity

Many men with ADHD have heightened emotional reactivity, characterized by a lowered frustration tolerance and difficulty managing emotions. They may also be more rigid and inflexible with their beliefs, making it more challenging for them to adapt to changes. Such emotional dysregulation can affect well-being and exacerbate relationship problems, physical health issues, and other mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression.

Low Self-Esteem

One of the key symptoms of ADHD in adult men is low self-esteem. Many men with ADHD struggle with a diminished sense of self-worth and often harbor negative feelings about themselves. They may internalize their ADHD-related challenges, blaming themselves for perceived shortcomings and feeling frustrated by their inability to meet societal or personal expectations. This self-blame can lead to feelings of guilt, particularly concerning how their symptoms impact their relationships and the well-being of those around them.

Issues With Conflict & Criticism

The impulsivity and emotional dysregulation often associated with ADHD can lead to reactive and sometimes inappropriate responses in stressful or confrontational situations. Additionally, difficulties with attention and organization can result in frequent misunderstandings and mistakes, which may attract criticism. Men with ADHD may get preemptively defensive if they sense someone is upset with them. This behavior can result in lashing out, passive-aggressiveness, verbal altercations, or lying to cover their ADHD symptoms.

Shame About Their Diagnosis

There is often cultural pressure for men to be focused and self-reliant, and having ADHD can make it difficult to meet these expectations. Additionally, the misconceptions about ADHD, such as individuals with ADHD are just lazy, can lead to feelings of inadequacy. The internalization of negative stereotypes and the fear of being judged or misunderstood can exacerbate these feelings of shame. The shame can cause men with ADHD to conceal their struggles or downplay the intensity of their ADHD symptoms. Some will also avoid seeking mental health care because they do not want to acknowledge their issues (or they feel unworthy of support).

Impulsive Behaviours

ADHD in men can lead to a range of impulsive behaviors due to difficulties with self-control and delayed gratification. This could look like reckless driving, risky sexual encounters, or unplanned large purchases. Impulsivity could also manifest as substance abuse, as men with ADHD may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate or seek immediate pleasure, increasing the risk of ADHD-induced addiction.

Neglect of Physical Health

Men with ADHD can neglect their physical health due to forgetfulness, poor time management, or not prioritizing self-care. This could lead to missed medical appointments, forgetting to take medication, or struggling to maintain a consistent exercise routine. Neglecting physical health can lead to a multitude of consequences, such as unmanaged chronic conditions or delaying diagnosis of health issues, impacting one’s quality of life.

Hypersexuality or Hyposexuality

ADHD can cause hypersexuality in men due to impulsivity, ADHD dopamine-seeking behaviors, and difficulty regulating emotions. Constantly needing stimulation could manifest as an increased sex drive or risky sexual behaviors. Alternatively, men with ADHD could experience distractibility during intimacy, challenges with timing/pacing, or difficulty maintaining relationships.

How to Cope With ADHD as a Male

Although living with ADHD can be frustrating, there are many coping skills for ADHD that can empower you to live a meaningful, productive, and healthy life. ADHD also has benefits, so focus on finding your strengths and celebrating successes. You simply need to be mindful of your triggers and have a plan for regulating stress.

Here are twelve tips for coping with ADHD as a man:

1. Break tasks into smaller steps: Breaking larger tasks into more manageable chunks can make them feel less overwhelming and increase the likelihood of completion.
2. Prioritize tasks: Rank tasks based on importance and urgency to ensure you address essential responsibilities first.
3. Use reminders: Set up reminders, alarms, or alerts on your phone or computer to remember appointments, deadlines, and important events.
4. Minimize distractions: Whenever possible, create a distraction-free work environment by turning off notifications on electronic devices, finding a quiet space, or using noise-canceling headphones.
5. Stay organized: Create systems for tracking important tasks, appointments, and deadlines using a planner, calendar, or digital task-management tools such as RescueTime.
6. Practice time management techniques: To help manage time more effectively, use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique for ADHD (working in focused bursts with short breaks) or time blocking (scheduling specific activities for set periods).
7. Avoid or limit mood-altering substances: While caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or marijuana can provide some initial relief, they may magnify ADHD symptoms and create more problems.
8. Focus on exercise, diet, hydration, and sleep: Exercising, eating an ADHD-friendly diet, drinking more water and getting better quality sleep are all crucial for keeping ADHD symptoms in check.
9. Seek social support: Surround yourself with people who care about your emotional well-being. Having a support network is crucial when coping with challenges. Although it is hard, learning how to ask for help will help you immensely.
10. Practice self-care: Prioritize different types of self-care activities to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Apps such as Fabulous can help you to develop and stick to a self-care routine.
11. Consider professional support: Work with a therapist or coach specializing in ADHD to develop personalized strategies, learn new techniques, and address any emotional or psychological difficulties.
12. Join a support group: Because of mental health stigma, having ADHD as a man can feel very isolating. Support groups are a great way to connect to other men with ADHD, which can make you feel less alone and also give you the opportunity to learn what works from them.

Setting SMART Goals With ADHD Worksheet

SMART Goals is a structured goal-setting method that can help individuals with ADHD to create clear, actionable objectives.

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How Do Professionals Diagnose ADHD in Men?

Trained mental health professionals can adequately screen for signs of ADHD in men. However, experts do not have one specific test for ADHD. Instead, most evaluations are comprehensive and multifaceted. Assessment typically includes self-reports, information about co-occurring issues, details about medical history, and collateral information about family life and childhood.

If a man receives a late diagnosis of ADHD, they should immediately begin treatment because it is crucial for learning how to live healthily with ADHD.

Treatment for ADHD in Adult Men

Men with ADHD can benefit greatly from seeking care and support. Although there is no cure for ADHD, the right treatment may reduce symptoms and promote an overall better quality of life. Adult ADHD treatment may consist of a combination of psychotherapy, ADHD medication, and lifestyle changes. A person’s treatment needs may fluctuate over time, and that’s normal.

Therapy for Men With ADHD

Therapy is a very effective way to reduce ADHD symptoms in men.³ A therapist can help you develop and implement the coping skills you need to take on the challenges your ADHD creates.

Therapy options for ADHD in men include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for ADHD helps men challenge their negative thoughts and replace them with healthier alternatives. These changes can promote positive behavior and symptom management.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT for ADHD can strengthen skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to improve ADHD symptoms.
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT can help men with ADHD improve their interpersonal relationships that may suffer because of their symptoms.
• Mindfulness-based therapy: Practicing mindfulness or using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can help men with ADHD improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and manage emotional reactivity. These techniques teach present-moment awareness which is helpful in managing distractibility as well.
• Group therapy: Joining a group specifically for men can help with feelings of isolation and shame. You can also normalize experiences and get a sense of community while not only getting help, but by giving support too.

Medication for Men With ADHD

In addition to therapy, ADHD medication is often a part of a person’s comprehensive treatment plan. Psychiatrists may prescribe stimulant or non-stimulant ADHD medications, depending on your family and medical history.

How to Find Professional Support

Although, as a man, it can be difficult to ask for help, professional support can be a critical step toward managing your ADHD symptoms. One effective way to find support is by using an online therapist directory such as Grow Therapy, which allows you to search for mental health professionals via detailed filters, making it easier to find a good match. If you prefer to see a therapist remotely, online ADHD treatment services provide convenient access to professional support from the comfort of your home.

If you want to explore ADHD medication options, Circle Medical offers same-day appointments with a psychiatrist who can explain the different medication options available. They also provide therapy referrals for individuals who want to explore medication and therapy simultaneously.

Supporting a Man With ADHD

You can be an invaluable source of support for a loved one with ADHD. You cannot fix their problems, but providing compassion, patience, and a deep understanding of their experience can help them feel validated and supported.

Here are tips for supporting men with adult ADHD:

1. Work together to create a routine: Support your loved one to make a healthy routine that honors their needs and plays up their inherent strengths. If he’s more focused in the morning, schedule important tasks during that time. Use visual aids like color coding calendars or apps such as Motion to help stay on track.
2. Maintain a sense of positivity and hope: Struggling with work or finances can deeply impact their sense of masculinity and self-worth.  Remind your loved one of their virtues. They are not their diagnosis–highlight their strengths and uniqueness. By consistently recognizing their resilience, you can help build their self-esteem.
3. Encourage open communication: Create a judgment-free zone where he can express frustrations, fears, and successes without fear of criticism. Generally, men are less open about their emotions, and ADHD’s impulsivity can make communication even more challenging.  Encourage him to pause before responding in heated moments.
4. Set realistic expectations: Men with ADHD may struggle with underestimating how long tasks will take. Work together to break down projects into smaller steps with time buffers to prevent overwhelm.
5. Destigimitize getting help: Men with ADHD may already feel like they have failed in many areas and resist seeking help due to stigma or a desire to handle things on their own. Normalize therapy (or coaching) by discussing it as a tool for performance or success, not weakness.
6. Educate yourself and others: Understanding ADHD is key to being compassionate and offering effective support. Read books about ADHD, attend webinars, or join a support group to learn about ADHD and how it uniquely affects men and reduce any misunderstandings.
7. Partner with problem-solving: Instead of taking over tasks he struggles with, collaborate on solutions together. If he forgets appointments, don’t just make them for him and remind him constantly; brainstorm ideas like using a phone alarm or wall calendar to respect his autonomy. 
8. Celebrate progress: ADHD management is a journey, and there will be ups and downs. Acknowledge and celebrate small victories. Positive reinforcement is especially helpful for someone who feels like they are never good enough.
9. Practice self-care: Supporting someone with ADHD can be challenging. Taking time for your own self-care will help you be more resilient and also model for him that it’s a priority.
10. Be patient: Remember that his mood swings or frustrations aren’t personal attacks. There is a physiological and biological reason for his symptoms and not something that you did to “make him this way”.

Free ADHD Focus Plan Worksheet

A focus plan can help someone with ADHD estimate the time it will take to complete a task and plan out small steps to accomplish the larger goal.

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