Do I Have ADHD? Signs, Symptoms & What to Do Next

If you’ve been searching ‘Do I have ADHD?’, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most Googled mental health questions right now, especially in the UK. Maybe you can’t focus even when you try, or start tasks but never finish them. Maybe you constantly procrastinate or feel overwhelmed by simple things. Relating to these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have ADHD.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition that affects focus, impulse control, organisation and energy levels in consistent patterns that affect your daily life.

Common ADHD Symptoms in Adults

1. Difficulty focusing – This can be experienced as being easily distracted, having a mind that constantly wanders, and having trouble staying with one task.

2. Chronic procrastination – Putting off important things, even things that you actually do want to do.

3. Forgetfulness – This can take the form of missing appointments, misplacing items multiple times a day and / or forgetting conversations.

4. Feeling overwhelmed – When simple tasks feel too big and / or you have trouble starting anything.

5. Hyperfocus – This can look like spending hours and hours on one thing that interests you and / or losing track of time completely.

How many of the following ADHD symptoms do you feel are part of your daily life? (This is not a diagnostic tool.)

I struggle to stay organised
I mentally restless
I interrupt people often
I avoid tasks
I often misplace my things
I feel behind compared to other people
I struggle to stay focused even when I want to
My mind often drifts during conversations
I reread things multiple times to understand them
I get distracted easily by small things (noise, phone, thoughts)
I find it hard to complete tasks without switching to something else
I often wait until the last minute to get things done
I feel overwhelmed by simple tasks
I struggle to stick to things that require sustained effort
I forget appointments or important details
I struggle to keep my space or schedule organised
I rely heavily on reminders just to function
I feel like I’m always playing catch up

Most people can relate to the above statements and have experienced some of these some of the time. ADHD is more likely when these statements are true for you on a regular basis and they impact your daily life. Some of these symptoms ca be attributed to anxiety, burnout, stress, poor sleep and CPTSD so it is important to speak to a professional about your specific symptoms and experience.

‘Do I Have ADHD or Anxiety?’ is a common question. With anxiety you may experience these symptoms because of worry. With ADHD you would still have these symptoms in the absence of worry, when everything is calm. There is overlap and grey area, especially seeing as struggling with the symptoms of ADHD can be a cause of your anxiety.

You should consider speaking to a professional if you have experienced symptoms of ADHD since childhood, you feel impacted in your everyday life, and if you are struggling to 'keep up' on a constant basis.

If you would like to get tested for ADHD in the UK, you can speak to your GP. You may have heard that there are very lengthy waiting lists, but it is worth asking your GP about The Right to Choose scheme. It is possible that this can speed things up in some cases. Going private is a faster yet more expensive option.

Diagnosing ADHD often involves filling out questionnaires, providing a history of symptoms dating back to childhood, an interview process, and someone who knows you well providing information.

If you’re here reading this and asking, ‘Do I have ADHD?’, it usually means something isn’t working, and that is what matters. If you feel you need help, you do not have to wait for a diagnosis to reach out for help. Diagnosis or not, your experience and struggles are still valid.

I invite you to consider your relationship to your symptoms as a place to start. If you are experiencing anxiety, comparison, self-loathing and negative self-labelling then start with this. With help, you can change how you are experiencing your symptoms, whatever the cause, and create a safe, nurturing starting place as you navigate your ADHD (or other) symptoms.

FAQs

Can you self-diagnose ADHD?
No. You can recognise symptoms, but only a professional can diagnose ADHD.

What are the biggest signs of ADHD?
In adults it is poor focus, procrastination, forgetfulness, and overwhelm.

Is ADHD getting more common?
Diagnosis rates are increasing, but awareness is also much higher now.

What does ADHD feel like?
Many describe it as a constant mental noise, difficulty starting tasks, and feeling overwhelmed.