Wondering if you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is common when facing days filled with forgetfulness or heavy procrastination. While about 3 million people in England are thought to have ADHD, professionals warn that normal life experiences are sometimes mistaken for the condition. Specialist psychiatrist Dr Devendra Karnal explains that everyday distractions differ from true ADHD through a persistent pattern of difficulties that interfere with daily life.
Forgetfulness
Normal forgetfulness involves occasionally misplacing keys or missing a single appointment, whereas ADHD-related forgetfulness happens frequently and disrupts multiple areas of life. Dr Karnal notes that individuals with the condition repeatedly forget commitments or struggle with recent instructions despite using reminders.
The 9 'hidden' signs of ADHD in adults
While hyperactivity remains a well-known marker, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder involves much more than trouble focusing. Consultant psychologist Dr Elena Touroni explains that true symptoms impact work, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Henry Shelford, CEO and co-founder of ADHD UK, adds that the condition can be severely debilitating. Here are nine subtle signs of the condition:
- Time blindness - losing track of time, underestimating how long tasks will take, regularly being late or excessively early
- Lack of organisation - a messy home, frequently misplacing items, forgetting deadlines
- Hyperfocus - becoming deeply engrossed in activities for hours
- Procrastination - feeling overwhelmed by to-do lists and struggling to determine what needs your attention first so focusing on less important tasks
- Heightened emotions - emotional struggles can manifest in angry outbursts, feeling flooded with joy or shutting down because you feel too much at once
- Being a 'yes man' - agreeing to new projects at work or dinner dates with friends when you're already busy (a desire to please)
- Impatience - interrupting people mid-conversation, finding it painful to stand in a queue, being overly-chatty
- Restlessness - tapping, pacing, fidgeting or feeling restless on the inside
- Easily distracted - by external things, like noises, or internal things like thoughts
Procrastination
Putting off dreaded tasks happens to everyone, but chronic procrastination can point to ADHD. Dr Karnal states that the hurdle often involves starting tasks, organising steps, or finishing them despite recognizing the consequences of delay. A proper assessment is required to confirm if childhood-onset patterns stem from the condition.
Poor concentration
A wandering mind after a bad night of sleep differs from ADHD, where attention regulation issues persist across work and relationships. Dr Karnal points out that people with the condition can still experience intense focus on interesting activities while struggling with unstimulating tasks.
Impulsiveness
Regretting an expensive impulse purchase is common, but clinical impulsiveness involves repeated trouble pausing before acting or waiting for a turn. Dr Karnal highlights that specialists evaluate how frequently these behaviours occur and whether they have lasted since childhood.
If not ADHD, what else?
Persistence, disruption, and duration determine if symptoms truly indicate ADHD. If the neurodevelopmental condition is not the root cause, five other factors might be responsible.
1. Depression
Anxiety and depression alter concentration, memory, and motivation, creating symptoms that mirror ADHD. Dr Karnal explains that these mood conditions can also occur alongside ADHD rather than ruling it out.
2. Poor sleep
Sleep apnoea and insomnia can trigger restlessness, forgetfulness, and poor concentration. Dr Karnal notes that sleep disorders can cause these overlapping problems both independently and alongside ADHD.
3. Dyslexia
Dyslexia impacts information processing, reading, and writing, which can make children appear distracted or avoid schoolwork. Vision or hearing problems can similarly cause inattentive behavior when following instructions.
4. Trauma
Stressful or frightening events leave lingering scars that affect emotional regulation, attention, and memory. Dr Karnal states that medical history and symptom onset timelines help distinguish trauma from ADHD.
5. Physical health issues
Underactive thyroids create tiredness and poor concentration, whereas overactive thyroids cause restlessness. Dr Karnal explains that these physical issues generate symptoms resembling ADHD.
What should you do if you think you have ADHD?
First, visit your GP and tell them why you think you might have ADHD.
They will refer you to a specialist for an NHS assessment.
If your GP refuses to send you on for an assessment you can get a second opinion.
You can also speak to your child's teacher or the school's special education needs coordinator (SENCO).
However, waiting lists are lengthy on the NHS and, in many cases, getting worse.
Many opt for a private assessment, but many private clinics also have long waiting lists.
If you do choose to go private, make sure you choose a clinician who is a recognised member of the General Medical Council. You can search the register here.
Following your assessment, your clinician will let you know what the next stage is.
One option is a diagnosis of ADHD, with a discussion on whether you want to consider medication options and a referral back to your GP for shared management.
For more information on the ADHD diagnosis process, head to ADHD UK's website.
