ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting approximately4% of children and adolescentsand2.5% of adults worldwide. While symptoms often begin in childhood, many individuals are not diagnosed until adulthood.
ADHD can significantly impact a person’s life, affecting their academic performance, work productivity, social relationships, and overall well-being.
Individuals with ADHD may struggle with organization, time management, emotional regulation, and maintaining focus, which can lead to challenges in various aspects of their lives.
Below are some of the common signs of ADHD according to the DSM-5, keeping in mind that this is not an exhaustive list.
Inattention
Below are some of the ways in whichinattentionmay present:
Lack of attention to detail
Examples:
Difficulty focusing
Difficulty listening
Difficulty completing tasks
Organization difficulties
Avoid tasks requiring sustained focus
Misplaces items
Easily distracted
Forgetfulness
Hyperactivity and impulsivity
Below are some of the ways in which hyperactivity andimpulsivitycan present in ADHD:
Is masking a sign of ADHD?
Maskingrefers to the conscious or subconscious efforts of individuals with ADHD to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to conform to social expectations or avoid negative judgments and stigmatization.
Examples of masking behaviors include hiding true feelings, suppressing soothing behaviors like stimming, being overly apologetic, striving for perfectionism, and expending a lot of energy actively listening to ensure no social cues are missed.
Individuals withADHD may learn to masktheir symptoms, especially if they have not been diagnosed and treated.
This can make it even harder for clinicians to identify ADHD, as the individual may appear shy orsocially anxiousrather than displaying typical ADHD symptoms.
Masking is particularly common amonggirls and women with ADHD, as well as racial and ethnic minority groups, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis in these populations.
While masking can offer some benefits, such as helping individuals with ADHD feel like they fit in better socially, excessive reliance on masking can lead to problems likeburnout,decreased self-esteem, increased anxiety, and a low sense of self.
ADHD in children
ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, with symptoms typically appearing before the age of 12.
Children with ADHD may exhibit a combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can impact their academic performance, social interactions, and overall development.
They may struggle with following instructions, completing tasks, and regulating their behavior. ADHD in children can also lead to emotional difficulties, such as low self-esteem and frustration.
Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for children with ADHD to receive appropriate support and accommodate their needs.
Treatment options for children may includemedication,behavioral therapy, and educational interventions to help them manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and thrive in their personal and academic lives.
ADHD in adults
Although ADHD may be seen as a childhood condition, it can persist into adulthood, presenting unique challenges.
Adults with ADHD may struggle with managing work, relationships, and emotions. They may face difficulties with time management, financial planning, and decision-making.
Co-occurring mental health conditions are also common. However, with proper diagnosis, treatment, and support, adults with ADHD can developcoping strategiesand lead successful lives.
Treatment options include medication,therapy, andcoachingto manage symptoms and develop essential skills.
Impact of ADHD signs
Below are some of the consequences that relate to the signs of ADHD. While these are not official signs of ADHD in themselves, they can be viewed as an extension of the signs as they can be commonly experienced.
Emotional difficulties
Common signs include emotional sensitivity, difficulty self-regulating primary emotional responses, trouble self-soothing, challenges in organizing appropriate secondary emotions,strong emotional reactions to rejection, and problems refocusing attention away from strong emotions.
Some individuals may also exhibit emotional detachment as a coping mechanism.
These difficulties in regulating emotions can lead to impulsive reactions,mood swings, and impaired daily functioning.
While not everyone with ADHD experiences significant emotional dysregulation, it is considered an important component of the disorder that can have far-reaching effects on well-being and relationships.
Feeling overwhelmed
Common signs ofADHD overstimulationinclude sensory and emotional sensitivity, anxiety, restlessness, impulsivity, emotional outbursts, cognitive overload, fatigue, and information-processing challenges.
People with ADHD may feel extreme discomfort, panic, physical and mental exhaustion, headaches, and energy fluctuations when overstimulated.
Oversensitivity to stimuli,executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and task complexity can all contribute to feelings of overwhelm.
In severe cases, overstimulation may lead to meltdowns (intense emotional outbursts) or shutdowns (disengagement and withdrawal).
Procrastination
Procrastinationcan be a sign of ADHD,with up to 95% of adults with ADHDstruggling to complete tasks on time.
This chronic procrastination likely stems from underlying deficits in executive functioning skills such as organization, prioritization, working memory, and impulse control.
Difficulties regulating negative emotions also contribute to procrastination, as adults with ADHD tend to delay responsible tasks in favor of more instantly gratifying activities.
The combination of executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity creates a procrastination cycle that can significantlyimpair occupational, academic, financial, and interpersonal functioning.
Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem can be a sign of ADHD, manifesting as feelings of shame, low confidence, self-criticism, inadequacy, identity issues, difficulty saying no, and a tendency to withdraw and isolate.
These feelings often stem from the challenges associated with ADHD, such as emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, social interaction struggles, and academic or work difficulties.
The constant struggle to meet societal expectations and personal standards can lead individuals with ADHD to internalize negative perceptions and view themselves as inadequate or unworthy.
ADHD stigma and lack of understanding from others can further contribute to low self-esteem.
Imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome can be a sign of ADHD, as individuals with ADHD often feel the need to overcompensate for their symptoms in a predominantly neurotypical world.
Signs of imposter syndrome in ADHD include pressuring oneself to overperform, engaging in people-pleasing behaviors, minimizing accomplishments, being suspicious of compliments, making comparisons to others, and feeling like a failure despite evidence of success.
The pressure to mask ADHD symptoms and appear capable to others can contribute to imposter syndrome, as individuals fear their true selves will be exposed.
While imposter syndrome may drive some individuals with ADHD to excel, it can also lead to negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
References
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Lai, M. C., Lin, H. Y., & Ameis, S. H. (2022). Towards equitable diagnoses for autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder across sexes and genders.Current Opinion in Psychiatry,35(2), 90-100.
Mohammadi, M. R., Zarafshan, H., Khaleghi, A., Ahmadi, N., Hooshyari, Z., Mostafavi, S. A., Ahmadi, A., Alavi, S., Shakiba, A. & Salmanian, M. (2021). Prevalence of ADHD and its comorbidities in a population-based sample.Journal of attention disorders,25(8), 1058-1067.https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054719886372
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Song, P., Zha, M., Yang, Q., Zhang, Y., Li, X., & Rudan, I. (2021). The prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of global health,11.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 Jun. Table 7, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Comparison. Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t3/
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
