NHS has shared a list of common signs that you might be an adult with ADHD

The NHS has shared a list of the common symptoms that adults with ADHD might suffer from.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects 2.6 million people across the UK, according to ADHD UK.

Old stereotypes have portrayed the condition to be easily recognisable, but studies have suggested that less than 20 percent of adults with the disorder are aware that they have it.

ADHD has been previously misunderstood as the ‘naughty child syndrome’, but further research and studies of the condition has clarified that this isn’t the case, and it impacts adults as well as young people.

According to the NHS: “As ADHD is a developmental disorder, it’s believed it cannot develop in adults without it first appearing during childhood.

“But symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers often continue into adulthood.”

Whilst most cases of the disorder are diagnosed in children under 12, sometimes it is not picked up and continues into adulthood without a diagnosis.

Videos on TikTok have encouraged people to self-diagnose themselves, but experts have warned against doing this, as ADHD symptoms can overlap hugely with other mental health conditions.

To get a proper diagnosis, you will need to see a specialist to conduct an assessment – which can usually last for up to 90 minutes.

However, if you think there’s a possibility you could have it, the NHS has shared a list of symptoms that could help adults detect whether they should think about going for an assessment.

Carelessness and lack of attention to detail

Everybody procrastinates and wastes time every now and then to avoid menial tasks, but ADHD brains are consistently more likely to do things that give them a dopamine rush.

A person with ADHD might have very low levels of dopamine, therefore making everyday tasks much harder to do and more boring than for the average person.

Restlessness and edginess

This is one of the more subtle symptoms that – if paired with others – could potentially indicate ADHD.

However, experts have warned that being ‘perpetually restless’ is what they would be looking for, rather than occasionally.

Occasional restlessness could, however, be explained by things like drinking a lot of caffeine or anxiety disorders.

Mood swings and irritability

Of course we’re all moody from time-to-time, it could be a hard day at work or a bit of bad news.

But those with ADHD tend to have emotional outbursts, which could be tied up with difficulties in ‘managing attention and directing energy’.

Inability to focus or prioritise

There are some days when focusing just isn’t on the agenda, but people with ADHD find concentration a struggle everyday.

This could include losing track of time, or even knowing how long something is going to take.

A person with ADHD might also struggle to prioritise tasks based on importance – with a relatively easy task sometimes being incredibly delayed, for example.

The NHS have also said that constantly starting new tasks instead of finishing old ones could be a sign of the condition.

Conversational difficulties

This could include a need to interrupt with a thought that interests them.

They may interrupt more often than usual as they might not remember what they were about to say, or what they’d been told elsewhere in the conversation.

Other symptoms on the list include:

• Poor organisational skills
• Continually losing or misplacing things
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty keeping quiet
• Extreme impatience
• Taking risks in activities – such as dangerous driving, for example

It’s important to remember that only an ADHD specialist can diagnose you with ADHD and that these symptoms by themselves don’t always mean the condition could be present.

Featured Image Credit: Getty stock images

Topics: Health, Mental Health, ADHD, News