Common ADHD symptoms
Some ADHD symptoms are easier to recognise than others.
Common ADHD symptoms in adults include difficulties with attention, organisation, procrastination, emotional overwhelm, impulsivity, restlessness and everyday tasks.
These symptoms can go unnoticed for years, contributing to feelings of underachievement, low self-esteem, being different or misunderstood.
Signs across ages
What signs are there in different ages ?
Similar ADHD symptoms affect life for children, teens and adults in different ways.
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struggling to get started
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feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities
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difficulty organising thoughts or tasks
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anxiety and overthinking
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forgetfulness or distractibility
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emotional sensitivity or frustration
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periods of hyperfocus alongside avoidance
Are there any other signs of ADHD ?
ADHD can also show up in small, everyday activities and moments.
There are many traits, habits and characteristics that adults with ADHD share that are not listed in the diagnostic criteria, but which leading ADHD psychologists have written about for many years.
Edward Hallowell is one of them, describing over 100 subtle symptoms in the bestselling book Driven to Distraction.
Making sense of these can help adults with ADHD better understand what they want, need or feel, and help those around them respond with greater awareness and less anxiety.