If you thought ADHD was something kids "grew out of," think again! In fact, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often sticks around into adulthood 🤔
Let’s be honest, it’s not exactly the life of the party when it comes to focus, organisation, or following through on tasks. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom! Let’s dive into what ADHD looks like in adults and why it’s not just for the kiddos 👶🏽
So, what exactly does ADHD look like in adults?
In a nutshell, your brain does a fantastic job of juggling a lot of thoughts, but none of them are in the right order. It’s like trying to work in a room full of squirrels, each with a different idea about how to organize your desk (spoiler: they don’t) 🐿️
You might find it difficult to plan, start and finish projects, or even remember where you put your bank card or car keys... again. But don't worry, you're definitely not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that about 2-5% of adults in the UK have ADHD—so if you feel like you're the only one who keeps forgetting what you were doing 5 minutes ago, think again. There’s a whole squad out here, including Jennie! 💖
This estimation comes from the NICE Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of ADHD (NG87) but the exact number can vary depending on sources. We know from our experience (both lived experience and working with lots of clients with neurodivergence) that many adults remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to symptoms being less obvious compared to childhood, a lack of understanding of neurodivergence, and gender biases 😡
Often symptoms are mistaken for other issues such as anxiety, depression, Personality Disorders, or stress and treatments such as CBT or Counselling which have not been properly adapted are ineffective or short-lived, which causes neurodivergent people to feel frustrated and not have the treatment they want or deserve 😔
(Jennie wants to point out that CBT, Counselling and Coaching can be incredibly effective with neurodivergent people, but they should be adapted by experienced professionals!!)
Many adults with ADHD may not realise they have it (which is what happened with Jennie for years!) but luckily the awareness around ADHD in adults is increasing, which helps more people seek diagnosis and specialist support ✨
Different types of Adult ADHD
Adults can be diagnosed with predominantly inattentive; predominantly hyperactive/impulsive; or combined type, which is a combination of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity 📖
Common Symptoms of Adult ADHD
Here are a few tell-tale signs that ADHD might be making life a little spicier for you:
Chronic Procrastination: You’ve put off organising your wardrobe, or that drawer, for the past three years, and now you can’t find anything. Don’t worry, it’s totally normal… for ADHD. Jennie has a patch of paint on her wall which she painted in 2021..... and she still hasn't decorated the room 😅
Being Easily Distracted: You’re reading an email, but halfway through, you remember you need to water the plants. Then you see something shiny on your desk, and now you're watching YouTube videos about squirrels. Classic 🙄
Difficulty Staying Organised: Your to-do list looks like a jumble of tasks that all somehow blend together into a giant mess. You know you have a meeting today, but wait—what time was it? Oops 😑
Impulsivity: Ever bought something online at 2 a.m. and then thought, "What was I thinking?" Yeah, that could be ADHD at work 🛒
Forgetfulness: Who needs memory when you can live on the edge? Forgetting appointments, birthdays, or where you left your car keys is a day in the life 🔑
Gender Differences in ADHD
Now, here’s where things get interesting, and where Jennie's interest in ADHD started to develop into a career. ADHD can look a little different depending on your gender 💃🏽🕺🏽
For men, ADHD often presents with more noticeable hyperactivity—think fidgeting, impulsiveness, or the *naughty boy stereotype of ADHD...
*The young boy running around the classroom, picking things up, constantly chatting, getting into trouble, fidgeting and struggling to sit still 🏃🏽
But for women? Well, ADHD in women tends to fly under the radar a bit more
Women are more likely to experience the inattentive type of ADHD, which means they might not be the ones bouncing off the walls but instead be the ones quietly distracted, forgetful, and easily overwhelmed. The symptoms we notice most are increased anxiety or overwhelm, chronic overthinking or a 'busy brain', and struggling with focus. Often, women with ADHD can be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression because their symptoms are less obvious 🧠
Plus, societal expectations might play a role—women are often expected to be the "organised ones" (thanks, society). So when things get chaotic, they might just chalk it up to being stressed, instead of considering it could be ADHD 🤯
Of course, just because someone is a woman, doesn't mean they will present as inattentive or their symptoms will be missed; the same way as men aren't always hyperactive or impulsive!
Getting Help for ADHD
ADHD might not be the easiest thing to live with, but it’s definitely something you can manage—especially if you get the right support 😉
Therapy, medication, lifestyle adjustments, and coping strategies can all make a world of difference. The first step? Just acknowledging that you're not just “lazy” or “scatter brained” —there's a real reason behind it, a neurodevelopmental reason, and you deserve help 🤗
If you’re finding yourself nodding along to a lot of these symptoms (or you’ve been diagnosed already), it might be time to get in touch with a therapist who specialises in ADHD 🙋🏻♀️
With the right guidance, you can learn to work with your brain instead of against it! 👍🏽
So, there you have it. ADHD in adults is real, and while it might not always be fun, it doesn’t have to take over your life. It’s just another part of who you are—and honestly, who couldn’t use a little extra brain power, even if it means forgetting where they put their keys every now and then? 😣
Stay focused (or at least try),
Jennie
Therapist, ADHD Brain owner, and Champion of Brain Chaos 👑
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