Could You Have Adult ADHD? 8 Signs and How to Get Help

The Editors at Sharecare
Getting the help you need is the first step to managing adult ADHD.
Getting the help you need is the first step to managing adult ADHD.

Do you have trouble completing projects at work? Finishing chores at home? Keeping your financial house in order? These nagging issues are classic symptoms of adult ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). An estimated 85% of adults who have ADHD go undiagnosed and untreated. And that's too bad, because those ADHD symptoms can wreak havoc on your career and relationships.

Finances a mess? Tense relationships? 5 ways adult ADHD may be getting in the way of your success.

For example, do you often:

  • Have great difficulty wrapping up the loose ends on projects?

  • Have trouble staying organized?

  • Miss appointments or obligations?

  • Procrastinate on big projects that require planning and thought?

  • Have trouble sitting still?

  • Often lose important things?

  • Interrupt when other people are speaking?

  • Find it hard to keep track of bills and manage your finances?

Answered "yes" to four or more of these questions? There's a good chance you have adult ADHD. Got a child diagnosed with ADHD? Your chances of having it are even greater. ADHD tends to run in families, and many people with the disorder have a close family member who also has it.

Do you have ADHD or are you just procrastinating? Find out with this test.

If you suspect you have adult ADHD, start with your primary care physician. Your family doctor knows your complete medical history, so he or she can help rule out other medical conditions that can mimic adult ADHD, such as thyroid problems, seizure disorders, or liver trouble.

Your doc may also refer you to a psychiatrist for further evaluation. Spotting adult ADHD can be difficult, because it overlaps with other mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, learning disabilities, and substance abuse and other addictions.

Adult ADHD has an upside, too. Check out 6 ways ADHD makes life better.

ADHD symptoms also are subtler in grownups than they are in children. The kid who acts up and doesn't pay attention in the classroom may grow up to be the adult who zones out during meetings and overlooks important details at work. (That's right: If you're diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, you've always had it.)

A psychiatrist will also know more about different ADHD medications, their side effects, and how to monitor and adjust those treatments. You may also be a good candidate for other therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, which is helpful for adults with ADHD, as well as support groups and ADHD coaches.

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