What are the signs of ADHD?

What are the signs of ADHD?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition that can affect people of any age and often comes alongside problems directing attention (focus), impulse control, and organisation. Nearly all of us have moments when we feel restless or distracted, but for people with ADHD these symptoms are usually very persistent and to some degree impact their daily life. In this post, we’re going to look at some of the key signs of ADHD with a view to helping you recognise whether it could be something that affects you or perhaps someone you know.

Wondering if you might have ADHD?

1. Chronic Inattention

One of the primary signs of ADHD is trouble staying focused on tasks, particularly those tasks that seem boring, uninspiring, or repetitive. People with ADHD often struggle to follow long instructions, omit important details, or have difficulty completing assignments. Alternatively, people with ADHD might struggle to start a task, often feeling frozen, and unable to get over the first hurdle. They might feel like they’re easily distracted from things, or leaping from one task to another without finishing what they started, something often described as feeling like you have multiple tabs open at once.

2. Impulsivity

Impulsivity is a key trait of ADHD, and yet it can manifest very differently in different individuals and between genders. It tends to show up as a tendency to act without thinking such as often interrupting other people when they’re talking, making impulsive decisions without fully thinking through the consequences, or doing impulsive or even risky things like driving too fast, drinking too much, or gambling. At home or at work, these traits can prove particularly troublesome leading to misunderstandings or arguments, as well as conflict over decision-making. Impulsivity can be especially challenging in social and work situations, leading to misunderstandings or problems with making or sticking to decisions.

3. Hyperactivity

While hyperactivity is more commonly associated with children (many people still think of the stereotype of a disruptive fidgety child at school who couldn’t stay in his seat) nevertheless adults with ADHD can also experience restlessness or an inability to relax. In children, ADHD might present in talking excessively, and yes fidgeting or having difficulty sitting still, but in adults hyperactivity can be noticed in more of an internal or inner sense of restlessness or a need to constantly move from one task to the next or even in a felt need to stay constantly busy.

4. Forgetfulness

People with ADHD are often forgetful. A common problem for many people with ADHD of any age is forgetting important appointments or objects, whether this is a PE bag for school or keys for the office. Doctors’ appointments, friends’ birthdays or work deadlines similarly often fall off the radar or are remembered at the last minute causing distress and feelings of frustration or even failure. ADHD has nothing to do with being careless, however, it has to do with differences in the brain which make it extremely difficult to keep track of multiple things at once or to remember what’s coming next in the immediate or long-term future.

5. Difficulty Staying Organised

Staying organised is often a huge challenge for those with ADHD often resulting in cluttered desks and kitchen work surfaces, struggling to keep track of deadlines and the feeling that time is always slipping away and is definitely NOT your friend! Many people with ADHD don’t realise they have ADHD because they have developed elaborate coping strategies for managing these difficulties, but despite these, organisation can feel like a constant uphill battle and lead to anxiety and distress when things, life, inevitably lead again to feeling more and more disorganised.  

6. Poor Time Management

Differences in the ADHD brain can make it difficult to accurately gauge how long a particular task will take leading to procrastination followed by an inevitable last minute stressed rush. People later diagnosed with ADHD often recall leaving school or uni assignments to the very last minute, often pulling ‘all-nighters’ the day before. One of the differences with the ADHD brain involves difficulties in breaking larger tasks or jobs into smaller manageable chunks – a common feeling is one of overwhelm at what feels like an immense task ahead, like climbing a mountain with no equipment. Managing time can feel chaotic or as if all you can do is cross your fingers and hope for the best.  

7. Emotional Sensitivity

Many people who are eventually diagnosed with ADHD (or suspect they could be) have difficulty regulating their inner worlds, including their emotions. Common problems can be a tendency to overreact to certain situations or people, leading to feelings of anger or rejection. This kind of emotional sensitivity can feeling like a rollercoaster, swinging between feeling frustrated or let down, and this is particularly the case if additional emotional load exists such as needing to complete an important task at work or in demanding social situations which require more sustained effort.

When to Seek Help

If you notice these signs in yourself or someone else, it could be a good time to speak with a mental health professional. You can speak to your GP and they may be able to refer you for an assessment on the NHS. You may also have heard of the Right to Choose Pathway, which was set up with the aim of making neurodiversity assessments more accessible in terms of waiting list times. You may also prefer to opt for a private ADHD assessment which, although it involves a cost, can often be completed in much shorter timescales.

While symptoms of ADHD can overlap with other conditions, a proper assessment will help to clarify whether ADHD is indeed the underlying cause. Help for those who have ADHD can come in many forms, including therapy, coaching, or medication, with each having a place when it comes to managing symptoms and improving quality of life.  

ADHD is a complex condition, but with the right support and tools, people with ADHD or suspected ADHD can find ways of making the most of their natural attributes (such as unique problem-solving skills and creativity) and lead extremely productive-feeling and fulfilled lives. Understanding the signs can be the first step toward getting the help you need.

If you’re struggling with ADHD, reaching out to a professional can make a world of difference.

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