Symptoms of Adult ADHD

Lack of focus

Hyperfocus

Disorganization

Time management concerns

Forgetfulness

Impulsivity

Emotional concerns

Negative self-image

Lack of motivation

Restlessness and anxiety

Fatigue

Physical health concerns

Relationship concerns

Substance misuse

Treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects about 8.4 percent of children and 2.5 percent of
adults, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

The National Institute of Mental HealthTrusted Source estimates that the numbers may be higher. Many
girls and adults with the condition also go undiagnosed.

Untreated ADHD can present as biological and environmental factors that interfere with many aspects
of a person’s daily life, including their relationships.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of adult ADHD, so you can get proper treatment. Keep reading
to learn about these symptoms.

1. Lack of focus

Lack of focus, the most telltale symptom of ADHD, goes beyond simply finding it hard to pay attention. It
also means:

being easily distracted

finding it hard to listen to others in a conversation

overlooking details
not completing tasks or projects

The flip side to lack of focus is hyperfocus.

2. Hyperfocus

According to a small 2020 study, people with ADHD are often easily distracted. They may also have
something called hyperfocus.

A person with ADHD can get so engrossed in something that they can become unaware of anything else
around them.

This kind of focus makes it easier to lose track of time and ignore those around you. This can lead to
relationship misunderstandings.

3. Disorganization

Life can seem challenging for everyone sometimes. But someone with ADHD may have more challenging
life experiences compared to someone who doesn’t have ADHD. This can make it difficult for them to
keep everything in the right place.

An adult with ADHD may find it hard to manage their organizational skills. This can include finding it hard
to keep track of tasks and prioritize them logically.

4. Time management concerns

This concern is similar to experiencing disorganization. Adults with ADHD often find it hard to effectively
manage their time. They may:

procrastinate on tasks

show up late for events

ignore assignments they consider boring

They may have trouble focusing on the future or the past — the “now” is often more top-of-mind for
people with ADHD.

5. Forgetfulness

It’s human to forget things occasionally, but for someone with ADHD, forgetfulness tends to occur more
often. This can include routinely forgetting where you’ve put something or what important dates you
need to keep.

Sometimes forgetfulness can be bothersome but not to the point of causing serious disruptions. Other
times, it can be serious.

The bottom line is that forgetfulness can affect careers and relationships.

It can easily be confused with carelessness or lack of intelligence by others if they’re not familiar with an
ADHD diagnosis and symptoms associated with the condition.

6. Impulsivity
Impulsiveness in someone with ADHD can manifest in several ways, including:

interrupting others during conversation

being socially inappropriate

rushing through tasks

acting without much consideration for the consequences

A person’s shopping habits are often a good indication of ADHD. According to a 2015 studyTrusted
Source, impulse buying, especially on items a person can’t afford, is a common symptom of adult ADHD.

7. Emotional concerns

Life with ADHD can seem challenging, as though your emotions are constantly in flux. You can easily
become bored and have the tendency to seek excitement on a whim.

Small frustrations can seem intolerable or bring on depression and shifts in mood. Untreated emotional
concerns may complicate personal and professional relationships.

8. Negative self-image

Adults with ADHD are often hypercritical of themselves, which can lead to a negative self-image.

This is due in part to difficulties concentrating, as well as other symptoms that may affect:

school

work

relationships

Adults with ADHD may view these difficulties as personal failures or underachievement, which can cause
them to see themselves in a negative light.

9. Lack of motivation

While you might be open to doing everything at once, you also may feel unmotivated.

A 2020 study showed that this is a concern commonly seen in children with ADHD, who often find it hard
to focus on schoolwork. It can also happen with adults.

Coupled with procrastination and difficulty managing organizational skills, this concern can make it hard
for an adult with ADHD to finish a project. They may find it hard to focus for long periods of time.

10. Restlessness and anxiety

As an adult with ADHD, you may feel like your internal motor won’t shut off.

Your yearning to keep moving and doing things can lead to frustration when you can’t do something
immediately. This leads to restlessness, which can lead to frustration and anxiety.

Anxiety is a very common symptom of adult ADHD, as the mind tends to replay worrisome events
repeatedly.
As with children, physical signs of restlessness and anxiety in adults can include fidgeting.

An adult with ADHD may:

move around frequently

tap their hands or feet

shift in their seat

find it difficult to sit still

11. Fatigue

Although this may sound surprising given that restlessness is also a symptom, fatigue is a concern for
many adults with ADHD.

There could be several reasons for this, including:

hyperactivity

sleep concerns that can come with ADHD

the constant effort to focus required by adults with ADHD

side effects caused by ADHD medications

Whatever the cause, fatigue can worsen attention difficulties.

12. Physical health concerns

ADHD can lead a person to neglect their physical health, according to a 2013 study. ADHD symptoms
that may affect your ability to maintain your physical health include:

impulsivity

lack of motivation

emotional concerns

disorganization

Neglecting physical health can be seen through:

compulsively eating an imbalanced diet

neglecting exercise

forgoing important medication

Stress and anxiety also have negative effects on health.

When health habits aren’t properly managed, the negative effects of ADHD can worsen other
symptoms.

13. Relationship concerns

Adults with ADHD can often have trouble in relationships, whether they’re:

professional

romantic

platonic

Traits that adults living with ADHD often have may feel draining on relationships. They include:

talking over people in conversation

inattentiveness

being easily bored

As a result, a person with ADHD may come across as:

insensitive

irresponsible

uncaring

14. Substance misuse

Substance misuse may not affect every adult with ADHD, but a 2014 research reviewTrusted Source
showed that adults with the condition are more likely than others to experience substance misuse. This
may involve the use of:

alcohol

tobacco

other drugs

The research isn’t clear on what the link is between substance misuse and ADHD. However, one theory
is that people with ADHD use substances to self-medicate. They may misuse these substances in hopes
of:

improving focus

improving sleep

relieving anxiety

OTHER COMMON TRAITS

Other common traits among adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include:

changing employers often

having few personal or work-related achievements

repeated patterns of relationship concerns, including divorce

Treatment for adult ADHD

There are available treatment options to help adults with ADHD find the needed support to overcome
the difficulties of their condition.

If your ADHD is mild, you may want to consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or meeting with a
professional organizer. They can help you with things like learning how to:

get organized

stick with plans

finish activities that you start

It’s also important to continually work on key practices so that your body is better equipped to handle
challenges. These include:

managing stress

eating a balanced diet

getting enough sleep regularly

Medication may help as well. To learn more about available treatment options and which may work well
for you, talk with your healthcare provider.