Common Signs of ADHD in Adults (Beyond Being Easily Distracted)

Many adults picture ADHD as a hyperactive child who can't sit still. In adults, the signs are often quieter. The US National Institute of Mental Health describes ADHD as an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that gets in the way of daily functioning.

Signs adults often describe

• Trouble finishing the final details of a project once the interesting part is done.
• Difficulty getting organised or keeping track of appointments and bills.
• Putting off tasks that need a lot of thought, even important ones.
• Fidgeting, or feeling restless and unable to relax.
• Losing track of conversations, or finishing other people's sentences.
• Misplacing keys, phones and paperwork often.

These match many of the questions in the ADHD test for adults.

When it's worth checking

Everyone has some of these some of the time. What matters is how often they happen, whether they've been there since childhood, and how much they affect your life. If you mostly zone out rather than fidget, the inattentive presentation may be more relevant.

Try the inattentive ADHD test or the ADHD test for men for more context.