Recognizing Adult ADHD; Signs and Symptoms

Theraverse . January 27, 2025

Imagine sitting down to respond to an important email, but somehow, two hours later, you’re watching videos about baking cookies. Or maybe you’ve promised yourself you’d organize your closet but end up starting five different tasks, finishing none, and wondering how time slipped away. These moments might seem like harmless quirks for most people, but for some, it may reflect deeper challenges tied to focus, organization, forgetfulness and following-through leading to the multi-tabbed reality of adult ADHD.

Adult ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a real and often misunderstood neurodevelopmental condition, that can affect many areas of life from work, relationships, self-esteem and more. For some, it feels like their brain is always on fast-forward, jumping from thought to thought. For others, it’s like knowing exactly what needs to be done but feeling stuck when trying to do it.

Many of the ADHD symptoms that we would be discussing more of, can be very relatable, leading to overgeneralisation and self-diagnosis. But behind the “that’s so me!” moments that most of us may experience, lie a mental health condition that can affect multiple aspects of daily life in ways one might not expect.

Symptoms

Many of the symptoms classified as ADHD are symptoms of executive function impairments. Executive function refers to a wide range of central control processes in the brain that activate, integrate, and manage other brain functions. Some of the components of executive function that impact overall functioning include memory, emotion regulation, problem solving, activation and reward. The following are some of the core traits and tendencies of ADHDers/people with ADHD.

Inattention

It’s not unusual to lose focus during a long conversation, but in ADHD, inattention is more chronic and impactful. Beyond forgetfulness, it’s an inability to manage focus consistently across many areas of life.

  • Struggle with sustained attention at work, in conversations, or even leisure activities
  • Miss details repeatedly, leading to errors at work or forgetting steps in tasks
  • Have difficulty organizing thoughts, schedules, or belongings

Hyperactivity

In children, hyperactivity might look like bouncing off the walls or an inability to sit still. In adults, it’s often more subtle and internalised. Someone might appear calm externally but feel as if their mind is running at full speed all day, creating a sense of constant overwhelm.

  • Restlessness or feeling “on edge”
  • Constant mental activity, like racing thoughts or an inability to relax

Impulsivity

Occasional impulsive decisions, like buying something you don’t need, is common. ADHD-related impulsivity isn’t about fun spontaneity but often unintentional and can lead to regret, strained relationships, or financial difficulties.

  • Interrupting others frequently during conversations without realizing it.
  • Struggling to delay gratification, leading to overspending or risky behaviors.

Time management and organization

Most people occasionally miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed by packed schedules. But ADHD affects the brain’s ability to plan, prioritize, and follow through.

  • Chronic lateness or underestimating how long tasks will take
  • Procrastination paired with hyperfocus
  • Difficulty prioritizing tasks, which can make even small to-dos feel overwhelming even leading to feeling ADHD paralysis. Which is when they have a freeze response to the mental overload

Emotional dysregulation

While not a core symptom, many adults with ADHD struggle to regulate their emotions. This can include:

  • Intense frustration over minor setbacks
  • Difficulty calming down after emotionally upsetting events
  • Frequent feelings of overwhelm, self-criticism and negative self-talk.

How can I know if I have ADHD?

While reading information online can be beneficial in recognising the signs and symptoms, this knowledge can never be a substitute for professional expertise, so the only way to know for sure is by involving a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist who can provide a diagnosis. These mental health care providers may ask you to go through a few assessments, checklists and detailed interviews to see if you meet the criteria and qualify for diagnosis.

By,

Jensita Grace

In-house Psychologist, Talk Therapy Clinic

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Resources:

https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-ways-to-tell

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know

https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adult-adhd#takeaway

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3016271/

https://chadd.org/about-adhd/the-science-of-adhd/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ludmilapraslova/2024/10/28/neurodivergent-or-neurodiverse-inclusive-language-and-neurodiversity/

 

 

 

 

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