The Rise of ADHD in Adults and How to Know If You Have It
- Brainz Magazine
- Mar 12
- 5 min read
Anne M. Hirsch, M.D. is an internal medicine specialist, physician coach, and medical coding expert. Her coaching expertise centers around medical communication. Her Medical Communication Mastery program helps physicians learn how to communicate effectively to improve patient outcomes and decrease physician burnout.
You’ve always considered yourself forgetful. You misplace your phone, lose track of time, and jump between tasks without finishing them. Deadlines sneak up on you, and staying organized feels like a never-ending battle. You tell yourself it’s just a busy mind, but what if there’s more to it?
Do you ever feel like your brain is running in a hundred different directions at once? You start one task, get distracted, and suddenly find yourself deep into another project, without finishing the first. You forget appointments, misplace important items, and procrastinate until the last minute. Sound familiar?
For years, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was considered a childhood condition, something kids eventually "grew out of." But recent research tells a different story. Many adults are walking around with undiagnosed ADHD, struggling with symptoms they don’t recognize as a medical condition. If you've ever wondered why life feels harder than it should, this article will explore what adult ADHD looks like, why so many people are just now being diagnosed, and what you can do about it.
ADHD: Not just for kids anymore
ADHD is one of the most misunderstood conditions in modern medicine. Traditionally, it was seen as a disorder that primarily affected hyperactive young boys. These kids were often disruptive in class, unable to sit still, and constantly in trouble. But what about the kids who weren’t bouncing off the walls? What about the daydreamers, the disorganized students, the ones who struggled to focus but weren’t "problematic" enough to raise concerns?
Decades ago, these children were often overlooked, especially girls, who tend to show ADHD symptoms differently than boys. Without early intervention, many grew up thinking they were simply forgetful, lazy, or “bad at adulting.” Now, a growing number of adults are discovering that their lifelong struggles with focus, organization, and time management aren’t personality flaws, they're signs of ADHD.
According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, nearly 3.6% of adults in the U.S. now have an ADHD diagnosis, a number that has surged in recent years.¹ Some experts believe the real number is much higher, as many remain undiagnosed.
Signs you might have undiagnosed ADHD
So, how do you know if what you’re experiencing is just everyday distraction or something more? Adult ADHD symptoms can look very different from childhood symptoms. Here are some common signs:
1. Chronic disorganization
Do you struggle to keep track of appointments, deadlines, or even where you put your phone? ADHD can make it difficult to create and maintain structured systems.
2. Difficulty focusing (or hyper-focusing)
ADHD isn’t just about an inability to focus; it’s about inconsistent focus. You may struggle to concentrate on a boring work task but become completely absorbed in something you enjoy, like a video game or creative project, for hours.
3. Constantly feeling overwhelmed
Many adults with ADHD describe feeling mentally "cluttered," like their brains are full of unfinished tasks. Even simple daily responsibilities, paying bills, responding to emails, can feel exhausting.
4. Forgetfulness and poor time management
Frequently running late? Missing deadlines? ADHD affects your ability to estimate time accurately, which can make it hard to plan ahead.
5. Impulsivity
This can show up as impulsive spending, interrupting conversations, or making rash decisions without thinking about the consequences.
6. Emotional sensitivity
Many adults with ADHD experience mood swings, frustration, and rejection sensitivity, often feeling hurt more deeply than others over minor criticisms.
Why so many adults are being diagnosed now
In recent years, ADHD awareness has skyrocketed. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have played a massive role in helping people recognize their symptoms. Hashtags like #ADHDAwareness and #ADHDAdult have led many to research the condition and seek professional help.
Another factor? The pandemic. The shift to remote work and self-managed schedules revealed struggles with focus, organization, and productivity that were easier to mask in traditional office settings. Many adults who functioned well enough in structured environments suddenly found themselves drowning in unfinished tasks, leading them to question whether something more was at play.
Medical professionals are also becoming better at recognizing adult ADHD. For years, many doctors dismissed symptoms as anxiety or depression. Now, with improved screening methods and broader diagnostic criteria, more adults are finally receiving the help they need.
A study in The Lancet Psychiatry found that nearly half of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to have symptoms into adulthood.² This challenges the outdated belief that ADHD is only a childhood disorder.
What you can do if you think you have ADHD
If you relate to these symptoms, the next step is to seek a professional evaluation. Here’s how to start:
1. Take an online ADHD self-test
While online quizzes aren’t diagnostic tools, they can help you determine whether your symptoms align with ADHD. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a widely used Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) that can be a good starting point.³
2. Consult a doctor or mental health professional
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or primary care doctor with ADHD experience can conduct a formal evaluation. Be sure to discuss your history of focus issues, organization struggles, and impulsivity.
3. Consider treatment options
ADHD is highly treatable, and treatment isn’t just about medication. Many people benefit from a combination of strategies, including:
Medication: Stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin can help regulate focus and impulse control.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps develop strategies for time management, organization, and emotional regulation.
Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, structured routines, and mindfulness can significantly improve ADHD symptoms.
4. Join a support group
Connecting with others who have ADHD can be life-changing. Online communities like CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) provide education and resources.⁴
Final thoughts: Stop blaming yourself
If you’ve spent years struggling with focus, organization, or impulsivity, it’s time to stop blaming yourself. ADHD is a neurological condition, not a character flaw. With the right knowledge and support, you can work with your brain, not against it.
If any of this sounds familiar, take the next step: talk to a professional. Whether through therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes, managing ADHD can transform your life. You don’t have to keep feeling overwhelmed, help is out there.
Read more from Anne M. Hirsch, MD, FACP
Anne M. Hirsch, MD, FACP, Certified Physician Coach
Anne M. Hirsch, MD, FACP is a physician coach who specializes in medical communication. Her work chairing her local hospital's Peer Review Committee has provided her with significant insight into how physicians communicate, particularly when they do so poorly. Her mission is to help other physicians master communication in a medical setting to improve patient outcomes and enhance the physician experience.
References:
Faraone, S. V., Rostain, A. L., Montano, C. B., Mason, O., Antshel, K. M., C Newcorn,
J. H. (2021). Prevalence of Adult ADHD in the United States: Comparison of Self- Report and Claims-Based Diagnoses in a National Sample. JAMA Network Open, 4(5), e215151.
Agnew-Blais, J. C., C Polanczyk, G. V. (2018). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(6), 456-466. DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30180-2
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1 Screener.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). (2023). ADHD Resources and Support for Adults.
