How to Know If You Have ADHD: Signs and When to Seek an Assessment
Many people associate Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with childhood. Images of restless kids, classroom disruptions, or difficulty sitting still often come to mind. But ADHD does not disappear with age. In fact, many adults live with ADHD for years without realizing it, often attributing their struggles to stress, personality traits, or personal shortcomings.
If you have ever wondered why focusing feels harder for you than it seems for others, why organization feels exhausting, or why you swing between periods of intense productivity and complete burnout, you are not alone. ADHD shows up in many different ways, and it is frequently overlooked, especially in adults, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color.
This article explores the signs of ADHD, how it can show up across different stages of life, and when it may be helpful to seek a professional ADHD assessment.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. Executive functioning refers to the mental skills we use to plan, prioritize, organize, manage time, and follow through on tasks.
ADHD is not a lack of intelligence or motivation. Many people with ADHD are highly capable, creative, and insightful. The challenge lies in how the brain regulates attention and energy, not in effort or desire.
ADHD typically falls into three presentation types:
Predominantly inattentive
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
Combined presentation
Understanding which traits resonate with your experience can help clarify whether an assessment may be beneficial.
Common Signs of ADHD in Adults
ADHD in adults often looks different than it does in children. Many adults with ADHD have learned coping strategies that mask symptoms on the surface, while internal stress continues to build.
Here are some common signs.
Difficulty Sustaining Attention
You may struggle to focus on tasks that feel boring, repetitive, or mentally demanding. Reading, paperwork, meetings, or administrative tasks may feel especially draining. You might find yourself rereading the same paragraph multiple times or zoning out during conversations.
At the same time, you may experience periods of hyperfocus, where you become deeply absorbed in something interesting and lose track of time entirely.
Chronic Disorganization
People with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by organization. You may struggle with keeping track of deadlines, appointments, or belongings. Piles of unfinished tasks can build up, leading to guilt or avoidance.
Even when you want to be organized, systems may fall apart quickly or feel impossible to maintain.
Time Blindness
Time blindness refers to difficulty accurately estimating how long tasks will take or how much time has passed. You might run late frequently, underestimate project timelines, or feel surprised when deadlines arrive.
This can lead to stress, strained relationships, or performance issues at work or school.
Emotional Dysregulation
ADHD is not only about attention. Emotional regulation is often affected. You may experience emotions more intensely or feel overwhelmed by frustration, rejection, or disappointment.
Small setbacks can feel devastating, while excitement can feel all-consuming. Mood shifts may happen quickly and feel hard to control.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity can show up as interrupting conversations, making decisions quickly without considering consequences, overspending, or speaking before thinking. In adults, impulsivity is often internalized and may look like racing thoughts or difficulty pausing before reacting emotionally.
Chronic Stress and Burnout
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD live in a constant state of stress. Trying to keep up with expectations while managing internal chaos can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, or depression.
You may feel like you are always behind, no matter how hard you try.
ADHD in Women and Gender-Diverse Individuals
ADHD has historically been underdiagnosed in women and gender-diverse people. This is partly because diagnostic criteria were based on studies of young boys, who often show more overt hyperactivity.
Women and gender-diverse individuals are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms, internal restlessness, perfectionism, and people-pleasing behaviors. These patterns are easier to overlook but can be just as impairing.
Many individuals receive a diagnosis later in life, often after years of self-doubt or misdiagnosis with anxiety or depression.
ADHD and Identity
ADHD does not exist in isolation. Culture, identity, and lived experience shape how symptoms are expressed and understood.
For LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color, ADHD symptoms may be dismissed, misunderstood, or overshadowed by systemic stressors. Masking behaviors may develop as a way to navigate environments that feel unsafe or invalidating.
An affirming assessment process considers the full context of your life, not just a checklist of symptoms.
How ADHD Affects Daily Life
ADHD can impact many areas of life, including:
Work and School
Difficulty meeting deadlines
Inconsistent productivity
Trouble starting or finishing tasks
Feeling overwhelmed by workload
Challenges with structure and expectations
Relationships
Forgetting important details
Difficulty listening or staying present
Emotional reactivity during conflict
Feeling misunderstood or criticized
Mental Health
ADHD often co-occurs with anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and low self-esteem. Living without clarity can lead to chronic shame or the belief that something is wrong with you.
Understanding ADHD can be a powerful step toward self-compassion.
When to Consider an ADHD Assessment
You may want to seek an ADHD assessment if:
You consistently struggle with focus, organization, or follow-through
These challenges affect your work, relationships, or well-being
You feel chronically overwhelmed or burned out
You have tried strategies that work for others but still feel stuck
You suspect ADHD but want clarity and guidance
An assessment is not about labeling or limiting you. It is about understanding how your brain works and identifying supports that align with your needs.
What Happens During an ADHD Assessment?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment is a thoughtful, multi-step process. It typically includes:
Clinical Interview
You will discuss your current concerns, developmental history, academic and work experiences, and emotional well-being. This conversation helps your clinician understand patterns over time.
Standardized Measures
You may complete questionnaires or structured assessments that evaluate attention, executive functioning, and related symptoms.
Contextual Understanding
An affirming assessment considers identity, culture, trauma history, and environmental factors. ADHD is evaluated within the context of your lived experience.
Feedback and Recommendations
After the assessment, you receive a detailed explanation of findings, along with recommendations for next steps. This may include therapy, coaching, skill-building strategies, or referrals to medical providers if appropriate.
At West Hollywood Psychology Associates, ADHD assessments are designed to be collaborative, respectful, and supportive.
What an ADHD Diagnosis Can Offer
Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be emotional. Some people feel relief. Others feel grief for the years spent struggling without understanding.
A diagnosis can offer:
Clarity and validation
Access to appropriate support
Improved self-understanding
Language to explain your experience
Tools for managing challenges effectively
It does not define you. It gives you information.
ADHD and Therapy
Therapy can be an important part of ADHD support, whether or not you pursue medication. Therapy can help with:
Building executive functioning skills
Managing emotional regulation
Addressing shame or self-criticism
Navigating relationships and boundaries
Creating sustainable routines
Reliable Information About ADHD
For additional education and research-based information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers an overview of ADHD symptoms and diagnosis.
Taking the Next Step
If you see yourself in these experiences, you are not imagining things. ADHD is real, nuanced, and often misunderstood. Seeking an assessment is not a sign of weakness. It is a step toward understanding yourself more fully.
Whether you are seeking clarity, support, or simply answers, you deserve care that honors who you are and how you experience the world.
At West Hollywood Psychology Associates, we offer comprehensive ADHD assessments in a supportive and affirming environment, both in person and online. Free consultations and insurance benefit reviews are available to help you make an informed decision.