Signs You Might Have Adult ADHD

You may have grown up thinking you knew what ADHD symptoms looked like, based on the stereotypical image of hyperactive elementary school aged boys. In fact, historically, many diagnostic criteria for ADHD were based on this group’s behavior. However, our understanding of ADHD has expanded significantly in recent years. Maybe you have seen a friend or family member get diagnosed, and you have been surprised. Or, perhaps you’ve seen something on TikTok or Instagram that resonated with you and sparked curiosity about your own experiences. This post will outline some of the ways ADHD manifests in adults based on our current understanding.

Understanding Adult ADHD

There are a few key symptoms that are present most commonly in adults with ADHD, though they can be tricky to identify as many adults have developed structure or routines to minimize the impact of their symptoms. These routines have become so ingrained in daily life that it’s difficult to recognize why they were initially established.

Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Impulsiveness

• Low frustration tolerance

• Frequent mood swings

• Trouble coping with stress

• Hot temper

• Excessive activity or restlessness

• Poor time management

• Problems prioritizing

This is not an exhaustive list, and you don’t need to experience all these symptoms to have ADHD. For a diagnosis, folks need to demonstrate five or more symptoms persisting for at least six months and recall similar challenges from childhood.

ADHD Types

In childhood, hyperactive-type ADHD is more commonly diagnosed due to classroom disruptions. Children with this type of ADHD have difficulty focusing, sitting still, and remaining quiet and calm, often being perceived as disruptive. In contrast, inattentive-type ADHD is more common in adulthood and is frequently missed in childhood. The spacey, daydreamer-like behavior of these individuals often goes unnoticed in the classroom but can become more challenging in adulthood once the structure and routine of school are left behind.

Common Signs and Symptoms

The following outlines what ADHD symptoms may look like in an adult.

Inattentive Type ADHD: This type doesn’t mean an inability to pay attention but rather an abundance of attention that’s hard to control.

Lack of focus can show up as:

• Seemingly careless mistakes

• Losing things

• Lack of attention to detail

• Difficulty following through on instructions, requiring multiple repetition of instructions

• Starting multiple tasks without completing prior projects

• Consistent lateness

Impulsive ADHD symptoms:

• Challenges with sticking to a budget

• Blurting out in meetings or conversations

• Engaging in risky behaviour

Hyperactive ADHD symptoms:

• General restlessness, making it difficult to sit still for long periods of time

• Fidgeting

• Quick to become bored after mastering a task, with no patience for repetitive tasks

• Lower tolerance for frustrating situations

A common experience among folks with ADHD whom I have spoken to is a high level of sensitivity to emotion, and a struggle to regulate those intense emotions. This can also impact rejection sensitivity. Folks with ADHD often engage in dopamine-seeking behaviors that can be healthy, like exercise, but can also become difficult to manage and feel compulsive, such as binge eating, shopping, or substance use.

Self-Assessment Questions

If this post has you wondering whether your experiences might be related to ADHD rather than anxiety or a mood disorder, consider these questions:

• What systems do you have in place to make sure you complete everything you need to do in a day?

• How do you make sure you are on time? (For example, setting multiple alarms, leaving notes, etc)

• Do you notice yourself making impulsive choices that you later regret? (like impulse buying, overspending, over eating, etc)

• Do you make a budget but find it hard to stick with it? (You can make a plan, but the execution is tricky.)

• Does what you’re experiencing impact your ability to feel like you can function well at work?

• Do you feel like an imposter, or that at any moment others might notice you are barely keeping it together?

• Do you feel like the emotions you experience are more intense than other peoples?

• Do you delay starting tasks that will require a lot of focus?

• Is it hard to focus when others are speaking to you even if you want to pay attention to what they are saying?

• Do you miss appointments or meetings even when they are in your calendar?

If you are interested in further assessment tools, there are a few good ones on the ADDITUDE MAG website. If you suspect that what you are experiencing might be related to ADHD, you can discuss this further with your doctor and ask for a screening and possible further assessment.

The Role of Therapy

Understanding that your experiences for years may be due to ADHD rather than laziness or moral failure can significantly shift your self-perception. This is where therapy can be particularly helpful. If you would like support integrating this new information into your perspective on yourself, The Commons Wellness Collective would love to be there for you on your journey.