ADHD and… ADHD and Addiction By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
We hope you find this page helpful. Remember, symptoms vary between patients. If in doubt, speak to a healthcare professional.
Snapshot
Understanding the symptoms
ADHD symptoms tend to fall into two main categories: inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
It’s common for people with ADHD to feel a sense of frustration or guilt because they can see how their symptoms affect their lives, but can’t seem to change their behaviours. If you’ve ever been told you’re “lazy” or “not trying hard enough”, it’s entirely possible that you’ve experienced the type of stigma that surrounds sufferers of ADHD.
One thing to keep in mind therefore is this: understanding ADHD symptoms as a symptom of a diagnosable neurological condition, and not as a reflection of your character, is incredibly important.
ADHD in adults
ADHD in adults can look different from the way it tends to present in children. Hyperactivity, for instance, often becomes less physical in adulthood – but it’s probably still there if you know where to look. You might not be bouncing off the walls any more, but your brain could feel like it’s constantly racing.
In adulthood, ADHD symptoms can show up in subtle ways, like procrastination, chronic lateness, or struggling with relationships because of forgetfulness or lack of focus.
Many report feeling perpetually overwhelmed, like they have too much to do but can’t seem to get started on anything. This often leads to a cycle of underachievement or feelings of low self-esteem.
It’s important therefore to recognise these patterns and realise they’re not due to laziness or lack of effort. ADHD can and will be incredibly frustrating at times, especially when people don’t understand that the challenges you’re facing are real.
What to expect from an ADHD assessment
In the UK, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can take time. The process usually starts with a referral from your GP, followed by a long wat, and ending in an assessment with a specialist – either in person, or over video call.
During the assessment, the clinician will ask about your childhood and current behaviours, often using questionnaires and interviews. Since ADHD symptoms must be present from a young age to make a diagnosis, they’ll also look for evidence that you experienced difficulties as a child.
An assessment can feel like a big step, but it’s a crucial part of understanding what’s been affecting your life.
While waiting for an appointment, we highly recommend keeping a journal of your symptoms and how they impact your day-to-day life. This can provide your clinician with incredibly valuable, real-world insight and will undoubtedly help them with their assessment.
In the meantime, if you feel like you’re struggling with the symptoms, there are various coping strategies available (some of which we’ll explore below) – along with online and real-world communities, podcasts, and books, all of which are specifically geared toward adults with ADHD-type symptoms. Interested? Check out our Resource Hub to find out more.
Coping strategies for ADHD-type symptoms
While waiting for a diagnosis or treatment, you might like to try some different coping strategies to manage ADHD-type symptoms.
Exercise can also be a great way to burn off excess energy and improve focus, as physical activity is known to boost brain function.
Mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are often recommended to help manage impulsivity and improve focus. These therapies can help you understand and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, making it easier to navigate daily challenges.
Additionally, many people find that breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting alarms, or using apps for organisation can help with time management.
ADHD and… ADHD and Addiction By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
Anger and irritability are common but often overlooked aspects of ADHD.
ADHD and… ADHD and Anxiety By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Creativity By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Depression By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Eating Disorders By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful.
ADHD and… ADHD and Emotions By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Executive Function By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful.
ADHD and… ADHD and Hyperactivity By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Hyperfocus By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Impulsivity By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Inattention By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Irritability By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Learning Difficulties By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful.
ADHD and… ADHD and Memory By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Messiness By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Money By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Motivation By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Parenting By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Perfectionism By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Procrastination By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Rejection By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Relationships By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Restlessness By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Self-Esteem By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful. Remember,
ADHD and… ADHD and Sensory Processing By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful.
ADHD and… ADHD and Sleep Disorders By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful.
ADHD and… ADHD and Social Anxiety By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful.
ADHD and… ADHD and Time Perception By Think ADHD By Think ADHD We hope you find this page helpful.
