How To Tell If You Have ADHD Traits as an Adult

Most people think of ADHD as a children’s condition. While it typically shows up in childhood, that doesn’t mean every child who actually is an ADHDer gets properly diagnosed. Or, you might have experienced some traits/signs in childhood but now, as an adult, you’re struggling with things like staying focused or engaging in relationships. 

Though some providers may mistakenly tell you that adults can’t experience ADHD, it’s much more common than you might think. Maybe you were never diagnosed or you compensated for your ADHD traits early on. Don’t brush off the idea of this condition just because you’re not a kid anymore. 

Instead, pay attention to your experiences. Understanding some of the common signs of adult ADHD can help you determine if it’s time to reach out for help and finally get the diagnosis you deserve. 

With that in mind, let’s cover some of the signs and experiences of adult ADHD so you can tell if that’s what you’re dealing with. 

Disorganization

One of the most common signs of adult ADHD is disorganization. That can cover a lot of different things. You might have a hard time keeping things in their proper place, or you might frequently lose track of things because of clutter and chaos. 

Disorganization can also cover time management issues. You might have trouble getting things done in a timely manner, or keeping track of things that need to be prioritized. ADHDers are notorious for “time blindness” or perceiving time in a non-linear way. Disorganization doesn’t have to strictly include tangible things. It can also include scattered thoughts that make it hard to keep track of things on a daily basis. 

Relationship Troubles

Have you ever been criticized in your relationships? Have you been called insensitive, cold, or irresponsible? No matter how you really feel, or what your true intentions are, those are often perceptions people in relationships with ADHD adults have. 

When you’re an ADHDer, it can be difficult to be attentive to the people you’re talking to. You might get bored easily and have a hard time paying attention in conversations if it is not particularly interesting to you. In relationships, that can make you come across as uncaring or rude. Everyone wants to feel heard and valued. If you’re in a relationship with someone and they think you don’t care, they’re not going to stick around long. 

Additionally, many adult ADHDers deal with forgetfulness. As you might expect, forgetting important dates, things about your partner, or responsibilities within your relationship is going to cause problems. 

Restlessness

It’s not uncommon for adult ADHDers to feel like they constantly need to be doing something. It might feel like you have a lot of internal energy to channel. You might feel restless if you just have to “sit there” quietly or if you can’t do something immediately. You may struggle to relax and let go of the day.

Of course, that’s not realistic to always be on the go and you can’t always have something engaging to do. Unfortunately, that can lead to a lot of frustration, and might even contribute to feelings of anxiety. 

If you frequently feel like you can’t sit still to the point where it’s causing frustration, this could be a sign of ADHD. 

A Negative Self-Image

Experiences like forgetfulness, being easily distracted, restlessness, and a lack of focus and motivation can make it easy to feel down. You might struggle with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence because you can’t seem to do the things you know you should be doing — or want to do. This can lead to underachievement at school or in the workplace.

Having a negative perception of yourself can lead to other mental health conditions, like depression. Show yourself kindness and grace, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help. 

If any of these experiences sound familiar, consider contacting a mental health professional. Getting an official diagnosis is the first step toward developing strategies and accommodations that can help you improve your quality of life. Feel free to contact us for more information about ADHD assessment.