What is ADHD?

What Are the Symptoms of ADHD?

There are a number of widely recognized symptoms of ADHD; however, ADHD can present differently for different people. Certain patterns are prevalent among various groups – gender, age, and environment each can play a significant role in how ADHD manifests.

ADHD symptoms affect a person’s activity, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social interactions. While we will discuss the most prominent symptoms, it is important to keep in mind that different individuals may struggle with some symptoms more than others, adding complexity to the process of diagnosing ADHD.

ADHD Symptoms in Adults

Although it took decades before ADHD was recognized as a condition that continues into adulthood, this was not because the symptoms are necessarily less severe. In fact, some adults with ADHD report that their symptoms worsen as they age, especially if they did not receive treatment in childhood.

A potential reason for the worsening of symptoms in some adults is the increasing array of responsibilities that accrue through young and middle adulthood. Additionally, symptoms that do not impact achievement in childhood can become problematic in work environments and adult relationships.

In discussing the most common adult ADHD symptoms, we will provide examples of how they may present in adult contexts.

Common ADHD symptoms in adults include:

• Inattention: Difficulty paying attention, getting distracted, or having trouble focusing. The individual may lose track of a conversation regarding an important task or miss necessary details. They may be perceived as inconsiderate if they do not stay fully present during an interaction. This can complicate relationships with bosses and colleagues, as well as friendships and romantic relationships. When working on a complex or time-consuming task, trouble with focus and persistence can make the task more challenging. Frequent interruptions can lead the person to miss deadlines, whether personal or professional, potentially leading to self-criticism and conflict with others.
• Disorganization: Struggles with executive dysfunction creating difficulties in time management, organization, and planning. This can be particularly distressing in the context of important responsibilities, with the potential for negative consequences. The person might struggle to complete a project to an expected standard, despite having the knowledge and skills to do so. Staying on top of personal finances, including bills and taxes, can feel like a constant game of catch-up.
• Forgetfulness: The person forgets to do tasks they have committed to or which are basic responsibilities. People tend to have more commitments as they grow older and become responsible for things like home and car maintenance, personal accounting, childcare, and even keeping in touch with loved ones. As they gain experience in their work environment or advance in their career, they are trusted with more responsibilities, and it becomes difficult to keep track of everything required of them. Forgetfulness can also create tension in relationships, as loved ones may feel hurt by the forgetting of sensitive personal information shared in conversations, missed birthdays and anniversaries, or extended periods without contact.
• Misplacing or losing items is also common. In some cases, this is merely frustrating, as the person finds themselves constantly searching for their phone, car keys, or eyeglasses. In other cases, this can lead to financial loss or administrative headaches.
• Impulsivity: This is a well-known symptom of ADHD in children as the child interrupts teachers, parents, and peers, or seems to act without thinking. For adults, it can be even more problematic. When an adult interrupts others, it is often perceived as rudeness or arrogance. They may be taken to task by bosses or given the cold shoulder by colleagues. Loved ones might perceive these interruptions as a lack of consideration. Risk-taking can also be more consequential for adults, with misdeeds eliciting more serious consequences, whether legally or professionally. With more freedom than children, adults are also more likely to take actions that can temporarily or permanently harm themselves or others.
• Hyperactivity: This may present as restlessness or fidgeting. Sitting through a meeting may be a struggle, with some people with ADHD finding it necessary to leave their seat when a meeting drags on. Hyperactivity can also cause the person to remain “on the go” throughout the day, as they find it difficult to stay in one place or do one thing for an extended period of time.
• Mood swings: People with ADHD often have trouble with emotional regulation. This can cause the person to struggle to moderate painful emotions or maintain self-control when experiencing pleasurable emotions. They may also have a quick temper or experience irritability throughout the day.
• Stress: The symptoms of ADHD often lead to a sense of overwhelm for adults. This causes higher levels of stress. Struggles with emotional regulation and executive function create challenges in dealing with the stress in effective ways.
• Social difficulties: In addition to the ways that the above symptoms impact social interactions, people with ADHD often have trouble reading social cues and recognizing boundaries. They may be perceived as intrusive or oversharing, especially when excited by a topic. This can cause social anxiety and lead to self-imposed isolation in order to avoid rejection.

Although the above ADHD symptoms are common among adults, group differences can make a difference in how ADHD presents. Sex/gender, in particular, can impact how ADHD symptoms manifest.