ADHD in Adults – it’s different for everyone

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that causes difficulties with attention, organisation, and mood. An ADHD assessment can help identify and manage these better.

Start Your ADHD Management Journey with an ADHD Certify Assessment.

Understanding What is ADHD in Adults

ADHD affects each person differently. For example, professionals with ADHD usually find new ideas and challenges thrilling. But are unable to cope with the boredom that comes with monotonous tasks. They can miss deadlines and struggle in their career growth.

ADHD also affects the personal relationships of adults. For example, a parent with ADHD will care for their children but feel overwhelmed by the household tasks and the children’s routines, which can affect their mental health and their relationships.

If you find yourself in similar scenarios or feel swarmed by ideas and tasks, it is likely due to ADHD, not any personal shortcomings.

It can be hard to realise. That’s why we recommend talking to our team. We’ll guide you on what these symptoms look like and what the next ideal step is for you.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

While ADHD is different for every individual, it is usually identified by 3 major symptom types.

Inattentive Type ADHD

This is the most common type of symptom of ADHD in adults. Adults who have this struggle with focus and attention. It can cause one to:

Lose focus rather quickly,
Have too many distracting thoughts,
Have trouble organising tasks and documents,
And struggle with time management.

Hyperactive/Impulsive Type ADHD

This is the second most common type of symptom of ADHD in adults. Adults with hyperactive behaviour usually show signs of restlessness and being impulsive. It can cause one to:

Fidget and move in their seat,
Talk over others in a conversation,
Struggle with staying in lines or waiting for something,
And answer before the question is over.

Hyperactivity/impulsivity is not as common as inattentive ADHD in adults because signs of inattentiveness are more likely to persist during adulthood.

Combined Symptoms

When someone shows signs of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity, they may be considered as having Combined symptoms (sometimes called combined ADHD). This is the least common type of ADHD in adults.

If you want to learn more about each symptom of ADHD and get more insights into the specific signs, we suggest talking to our team.

Real-Life Signs of ADHD in Adults

ADHD symptoms show themselves in various scenarios because adults are continuously juggling between two very distinct responsibilities, i.e., work and personal life. So, we need to look at the ADHD signs for a more nuanced understanding.

Common symptoms of ADHD in adults are:

Difficulty focusing and getting easily distracted.

Disorganisation and misplacing or losing track of things.

Running late due to low time management skills.

Engaging in risky behaviour like reckless driving, etc.

Awkward social interactions and talking over others.

Difficulty prioritising tasks and underestimating deadlines.

Problems in relationships due to inattentiveness and/or unregulated emotions.

Short-term memory issues and difficulties in day-to-day tasks.

Mood swings, especially under pressure, with anger outbursts.

Signs of ADHD in Women

Women are more likely to be diagnosed with Predominantly Inattentive ADHD. They don’t exhibit or have muted symptoms of hyperactivity, which is usually associated with ADHD

Usual symptoms of ADHD in Women are:

Trouble multi-tasking and feeling overburdened.

Difficulty starting a new project that requires mental effort.

Procrastination and then last-minute rush.

Missing deadlines due to time management issues.

Misplacing or losing things like phones and glasses.

Careless mistakes due to lack of focus.

Inability to make decisions or build strategies.

Unlike hyperactivity, these symptoms are not readily visible. This is one of the main reasons for relatively low ADHD diagnosis in women. It doesn’t mean women don’t have ADHD. Rather, their ADHD shows itself as inattentiveness and lack of focus.

If you’ve noticed these symptoms, we recommend getting a comprehensive ADHD Assessment with experienced clinicians.

Myths about ADHD

While hearing about ADHD, we come across certain myths that can shape how we view it. Some of the common myths about ADHD are:

Myth 1: Only Children have ADHD

While hearing about ADHD, we come across certain myths that can shape how we view it. Some of the common myths about ADHD are:

Myth 2: ADHD Isn’t Real

ADHD is a real brain development condition which, if not addressed, can negatively affect the mental and physical well-being of adults.

Myth 3: ADHD Isn’t a Big Deal

ADHD can deeply impact people’s lives. For adults, ADHD can have personal and professional growth ramifications.

Myth 4: People with ADHD Can’t Pay Attention

ADHD doesn’t take away an adult’s ability to pay attention. Rather, it makes prioritising one’s focus difficult.

Myth 5: People with ADHD Should Try Harder

It isn’t true. Rather than trying harder, adults with ADHD should focus on their strengths.

Myth 6: Smart Adults Can Overcome ADHD

Smart adults are good at hiding their symptoms and function relatively well in their personal and professional roles. However, they cannot overcome ADHD with intelligence.

Undiagnosed ADHD Adversely Affects Lives.

Take our Free ADHD Screening Test to know if you have ADHD symptoms.

If You Suspect You Have ADHD

People with ADHD experience life a little differently. Let us sketch a picture for you.

Your office starts at 9. It’s a 30-minute commute. You usually take 45 minutes to freshen up and grab your breakfast.

Ideally, you should wake up at 7:45 in the morning, right?

You never do. It’s not that you don’t wake up; it’s that there’s a snooze button, and you almost always hit it – until it’s 8:30 and you can barely change into your work clothes.

You go to get an apple from the fridge, but you’re all out. In fact, your fridge is almost empty. When did you last restock? Oh well, you drink water and leave the apartment. You check your pocket, yesss, got your keys (which you forgot yesterday and had to ask the neighbour for the spare keys you had left with them).

It’s 8:40, you’re on the road. And you remember you have to make an appointment. It could wait, you think. But you’ll forget about it at work. So you pull over and make the call. Finally, you reach the office and it’s 9:10. Early, you think (and so does everyone at the office).

Why Get An ADHD Assessment?

If you can relate to what’s above and have similar experiences, you may be susceptible to ADHD. The best way to confirm is to get an ADHD assessment.

For Clarity

An assessment will give you clarity on your symptoms. This way, you’ll know whether ADHD is behind these traits or not.

Self-Understanding

After the assessment, you’ll understand yourself better – where you are, what’s in your control, and how you can move forward.

Tailored Management

Once you’ve had your comprehensive assessment, you’ll know which management style is best for you, for improved control and self-esteem.

The ADHD Certify Assessment Process

On-Time, Simplified, and Affordable

Book Your Assessment with Us.

Fill in a Simple Self-Assessment Questionnaire to help the specialist better understand your symptoms.

Get the ADHD Assessment – a 90-minute online assessment with a specialist.

And receive the complete report within 10 days of the assessment. The report has diagnostic outcomes with explanations and proposed treatment options.

Life After ADHD Diagnosis

Take the first step toward managing ADHD by understanding it.

Life After ADHD Diagnosis

If you take the assessment and are diagnosed with ADHD, there’s a chance you’d be in shock. It’s natural.

After that initial shock, some people go into the denial phase. They deny it because ADHD has been stigmatised for them. But there’s no need for that.

The diagnosis has confirmed one thing: it’s not you; it’s ADHD.

After the diagnosis, you can look forward to a personalised management plan that will help you live more productively and meet your commitments head-on.

Remember: Knowing is winning half the battle. So you’re already halfway there.

The other half will be won with persistence.

Practical Tips for Adults with ADHD

Living with ADHD can be demanding. If you’re not paying attention, you may end up going down a spiral that may cause unexpected and unwanted problems down the line

Here are a few practical tips to help you avoid that and lead a more healthy life.

Make Lists

If you have trouble staying organised, start making to-do lists. Set proper timelines and reminders for each task in your to-do list.

Exercise

If you find it difficult to sit still or are always agitated, we suggest regular exercise. It helps shed excessive energy so you can stay calm.

Start Organising

Add some time to your calendar and organise your stuff, one room at a time. This simple exercise helps you stay on track and keep your focus.

Small Things Go Together

Keys, glasses, headphones, wallet, and everything you need should be put together so you can grab them without missing anything.

Avoid Distractions

If you’re at a job, ask for a separate cubicle to avoid distractions. If that’s not possible, use white noise in your headphones to keep your focus.

Support Groups

Keeping in touch with others who are in a similar situation helps you stay motivated because you realise you’re not alone.

Undiagnosed ADHD Can Cause Low Self-Esteem and Anxiety

If you notice ADHD signs, get a comprehensive assessment to know if you or someone close to you has ADHD.

ADHD Certify has simplified the process so you get timely, affordable assessments – No Referral Needed!