Signs You May Have Undiagnosed ADHD As An Adult

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It might seem that everyone is getting some kind of neurodivergent diagnosis, and yes, that is true, but that's because doctors and therapists have gotten significantly better at seeing the signs and symptoms, especially into adulthood. ADHD is one of these conditions that still commonly goes undiagnosed in adulthood. There are a lot of common patterns and symptoms, which alone might not mean anything but - when put together - could be a sign that you have undiagnosed ADHD.

Poor Timekeeping & Organisation

One of the most notable symptoms of ADHD is being poor at being on time and sticking to deadlines. It's normal for people to run late or miss deadlines here and there, but it's different from it being a constant battle that you never seem to be able to fix, no matter how hard you try. Quite often, people suffering from ADHD will underestimate how long things will take or will even heavily procrastinate, even if the thing they’re meant to be doing is something enjoyable and they want to do. 

The ability to keep yourself organized feels like a never-ending battle, always being inconsistent. Sometimes you feel completely chaotic, and other times you might be super organised well in advance, even for simple mundane tasks. The difference is you’re not doing this on purpose, even making an effort to be organised or stay on top of time, yet you still end up late.
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Experiences Executive Dysfunction

You might never have heard of this sign/symptom, but it's pretty common for those with diagnosed ADHD. Executive dysfunction is when you know you need to do something or make some kind of decision but still struggle to do so. 

An example would be sending a text message: you know you need to reply, it won’t take long, yet you still are unable to send the message. It might not be until a deadline hits or you’re forced into a decision that you can suddenly be able to complete it. If you talk to an adult ADHD doctor, they’ll normally point to executive dysfunction as one of the more obvious signs that you have undiagnosed ADHD. 

Impulsive At Times

Most people think of ADHD and just think of a screaming child in class. It can look like that, and the more obvious cases do, but that assumption results in thousands of people going into adulthood undiagnosed. ADHD sufferers tend to be impulsive, but not all are shouting and screaming. Instead it could be anything from interrupting constantly and finishing people's sentences to making spontaneous purchases and changing interests and hobbies.

A lot more of the typical symptoms that people most commonly display are less noticeable and abrupt than what's more stereotypical. It's why more and more people end up getting diagnosed later in life, with the spread of information thanks to social media.

Difficulty Regulating Emotions

ADHD can really impact how someone is able to regulate their emotions. Whether it be overreacting and unable to control themselves, or not having the right reaction at the right moment. They become disproportionately frustrated by really small things, and a lot of people with ADHD also tend to take criticism particularly badly.
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Being poor at regulating emotions can also negatively impact mental health. Just because emotions are seen as an overreaction, that person is still truly experiencing them. So if they’re really upset or frustrated a lot more than other people, it's easy to see why ADHD and poor mental health often go hand in hand.

Recognising the signs and symptoms of ADHD is a great first step to getting diagnosed. As an adult, it can be harder to see these signs, but if some of the symptoms above feel familiar and constantly impact your life, then maybe you should consider seeking out the right help and support.