This post has been updated since its original publication date.
When you think of attention-deficit disorder (ADD), more commonly referred to as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your mind probably goes straight to hyperactive schoolchildren. However, kids aren’t the only ones with this common condition. Adults can have it too.
A host of celebrities are sharing that they have been diagnosed with ADHD. For example, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles announced on X that she has ADHD and has taken medication for the condition since she was a child. Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine wrote in Additude Magazine that the ADHD he had as a child didn’t go away in adulthood. And “Dancing With the Stars” performer Karina Smirnoff told the Saturday Evening Post that she’s an adult with ADHD.
Unfortunately, too many adults with ADD/ADHD go undiagnosed and untreated. And this can have devastating lifelong consequences.
Too many adults with ADD/ADHD go undiagnosed and untreated. And this can have devastating lifelong consequences. Click To TweetWHAT IS ADULT ADHD?
ADD/ADHD is a disorder that affects brain development. It typically begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It is associated with a short attention span and behavior issues that can interfere with school, work, and relationships.
It is estimated that 4.4% of American adults currently have ADD/ADHD, but experts suggest the condition is underreported in adults, so the number could be much higher.
This indicates that many adults are likely unaware that they have the condition and remain untreated. Having undiagnosed ADHD or untreated ADHD can lead to consequences that lower your quality of life and can keep you from reaching your potential.
ADULT ADD AND THE BRAIN
Individuals with ADD/ADHD are considered “neurodivergent.” Simply, this means their brains work differently than the brains of people who are “neurotypical.” A person who is neurotypical has healthy brain function.
The brain-imaging work using SPECT scans at Amen Clinics shows that children and adults with ADD/ADHD typically have low activity in an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In particular, activity in the PFC decreases when people with the condition try to concentrate.
This is the opposite of what occurs in neurotypical individuals. In the healthy brain, concentration increases activity levels in the PFC.
Healthy SPECT Scan
ADD/ADHD SPECT Scan
In the ADD/ADHD SPECT scan here, the “holes” indicate areas of low blood flow and activity in the prefrontal cortex.
The PFC is responsible for planning, judgment, organization, follow-through, impulse control, empathy, and more. These are known as executive functions. When there is low activity in the PFC, people tend to have trouble with these functions.
10 ADULT ADHD SYMPTOMS
Adults with ADD/ADHD may experience a wide range of emotional and behavioral symptoms, including the following.
1. Having a short attention span
A lack of focus is one of the hallmark symptoms of ADD/ADHD. In adults, this can include having a hard time with routine tasks, not paying attention to details, making careless mistakes, and having trouble staying focused in conversations.
If you have this brain-based disorder, you may start a lot of things but have difficulty completing them. Having a slew of unfinished projects lying around is a sign of adult ADD/ADHD.
2. Being disorganized
Adults with ADD/ADHD often have trouble keeping things organized. At work, you might have a hard time finding what you need to finish a task because your desk is messy, your computer files are scattered randomly, and your emails are unorganized. This can make projects seem more challenging and take longer to complete.
Disorganization also includes have trouble prioritizing assignments and keeping track of them. When you aren’t sure which task to tackle first, it can lead to procrastination.
3. Being easily distracted
Having adult ADD/ADHD makes you more likely to notice more things in your environment compared to others. This means you can be easily distracted by external stimuli, including sounds, lights, scents, touch, or some tastes.
For example, you may be overly aware of a tag in the back of your shirt, a flickering light, or a beeping noise. This acute sensitivity can prevent you from focusing on an important task at hand.
4. Having poor internal supervision
Many people with ADD struggle with impulse control and judgment. You may say or do things reflexively without thinking about the consequences of your actions. This can lead to problems at work, at home, and in relationships.
Another one of the common signs of adult ADHD is having a hard time learning from your mistakes. Making the same errors over and over is an indicator that you might have this condition.
5. Procrastinating and being chronically late
Individuals with ADD/ADHD often have trouble with time management. You may put things off until the last minute. For example, you may wait until the night before a project is due to start working on it.
ADHD adults are also notorious for being late for everything. Showing up 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour late for work, appointments, and events is a red flag.
6. Being hyper focused
Surprisingly, research shows that many adults with ADD/ADHD can achieve laser-like focus for certain things. In general, hyperfocus is more likely to occur when a person engages in something that they love to do or in things that are highly stimulating, frightening, fun, or novel.
When hyperfocused, people become completely absorbed in an activity and tune out everything else. In these instances, you may not notice external stimuli, such as your spouse asking you a question, the doorbell ringing, or your dog barking because they need to go outside.
7. Being forgetful
Forgetfulness is common in ADD/ADHD and can become a major issue on the job and in relationships. People with this condition often forget birthdays, anniversaries, and deadlines. You may leave your work materials at home or forget that it’s your day to pick up your child after school.
In some cases, forgetfulness may be related to distractibility. If you aren’t paying attention to what someone is saying to you, it’s going to be harder to remember what they said.
8. Lacking motivation
Some types of ADD/ADHD are associated with low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is heavily involved in motivation. Because of this, adults with this disorder may feel unmotivated. This can hold you back in your career and in other areas of your life.
9. Low self-esteem
Self-doubt and a lack of confidence are common in people with ADD/ADHD. In part, this may come from growing up with people talking about you in a negative way due to your symptoms.
Many ADHD types grow up hearing people say that they are “lazy,” “dumb,” or “troublemakers.” These hurtful comments can have lasting repercussions on a person’s self-image.
10. Misusing substances
Adults with ADD/ADHD are at a greater risk for substance use disorders compared with people who don’t have the condition, according to research. If you turn to alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or other substances to self-medicate or to improve focus, it’s a problem.
SEEKING AN ADULT ADHD DIAGNOSIS
Adults who suspect they may have the condition often wait to seek help. At Amen Clinics, which has helped tens of thousands of mental health patients over the past 30-plus years, adults typically don’t get diagnosed with ADD until they are experiencing the following:
- Concerns about a child with ADD/ADHD: Most adult patients at Amen Clinics are only diagnosed with ADHD after they bring in one of their children for an evaluation. During a thorough history, the child psychiatrists at Amen Clinics always ask about family history. Through these questions, many parents discover that they have the same symptoms of ADD/ADHD as their children.
- Poor work performance: Adults may wait to seek an evaluation until they’re having problems at work. They may be passed over for promotions, demoted, or at risk of getting fired.
- Emotional, cognitive, or behavioral issues: Many people seek help only after they have been suffering from problems, such as moodiness, chronic anxiety, restlessness, addictions, uncontrolled anger, marital problems, financial problems, or impulse control problems.
Being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as an adult can be life-changing. It can help you understand that your issues aren’t due to a character flaw or lack of willpower, but rather related to your brain function. This can be very powerful in helping you reduce feelings of shame and enhance your self-image.
TAKE THE ADHD QUIZ
Take Dr. Amen’s simple, confidential 4-minute ADD quiz . This will help you discover if you potentially have the condition. In addition, the brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics has helped identify 7 types of ADD/ADHD. Taking this quiz can help you determine if you may be struggling with one of these types.
ADULT ADHD TREATMENT
If you are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, be aware that in some cases, treatment may require medication. However, many people see improvement with natural treatments for ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
I’m definitely a type 2. My daughter also has ADD/ADHD.
Comment by Debra — June 8, 2020 @ 3:19 AM
Hello my name is Jamie, I’ve been diagnosed with: bipolar depression, anxiety, with an OCD/ADHD combo. My therapist wants me to have a spect brain imaging. I live in TN, and I’m on disability. But I really need to have my brain scanned.
Comment by Jamie Miller — June 8, 2020 @ 3:37 AM
I’m definitely ADD or ADHD, I just don’t know which type and every time I tell my Doc he prescribes expensive drugs which I am not going to use. So, I deal with it.
Comment by Brad — June 8, 2020 @ 3:45 AM
I can so relate to this. I wish they had the knowledge to treat and understand these problems when I was growing up. It would have decreased a lot of feelings of negativity, lack of confidence, unworthiness, being called, lazy, not smart enough, unsupportive, screamed at all the time which only made it worse and a general lack of understanding of me
as an individual. I did try but it was never good enough and the constant bringing up things from the past still occurs into middle age despite my successes.
Comment by Becky — June 8, 2020 @ 6:36 AM
How can we convince a friend who
Is suffering from ADD that they need to get treatment?
Comment by Karen — June 8, 2020 @ 10:08 AM
I have been suffering from almost all of the problems for a long time!.
Comment by Bibin p s — June 8, 2020 @ 10:19 AM
OK, we all have it. I am not going to call that number because I wouldn’t be able to concentrate when a person called me with a bunch of deep information, so I guess I’m stuck with it forever.
Comment by Brad — June 8, 2020 @ 1:02 PM
I’ve had ADD for decades! A few diagnoses!
ADD meds helped a lot! But being in my 40’s my
Current doctor isn’t too keen on writing a script that works for me! I try to live my daily best but it is very
Difficult day in day out.
What helps for Adult Add
Comment by Lucy — June 8, 2020 @ 11:09 PM
I definitely have ADD but am finding Accupuncture to be very helpful, doctor says it’s due to inflammation of the brain. I prefer trying this out to taking medications. We’ll see how it goes.
Comment by Chloe — June 9, 2020 @ 3:48 PM
I did research on adhd after my daughter was said of not being attentive in class her diagnosis was a trip cause in our country in the Caribbean its more diagnosed amongst the disruptive kids .
I saw I fit alot of the symptoms of Adhd but again adult Adhd is not reallynrecognisable despite going to a psychiatrist who said my marital problems is because of my spouse and I speaking a different language and a psychologist said i have bipolar disorder because of past decisions made risky .
Also premenstrual dysphoric disorder and for those friends i told i am said to be program or happy
I jus live with it a scan is actually wishful but I commend the Amen Clinic for there work
Comment by Margaret — June 13, 2020 @ 11:28 AM
Hello Karen, we have many resources that may be a helpful start to talking to a friend about ADD and seeking treatment. Dr. Amen’s book- https://brainmd.com/healing-add-revised-edition; Dr. Amen’s Full Package on ADD- https://brainmd.com/healing-add-complete-program; and our Amen Clinics information regarding SPECT scans- https://amenclinics.com/conditions/adhd-add/. Thank you for reaching out!
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 15, 2020 @ 1:59 PM
Hello Jamie, we will reach out to you directly to provide additional information and solutions for you in TN. At this time we have 8 clinics in the U.S.: https://amenclinics.com/locations/. If you are unable to travel to one of our clinics, we may be able to provide referrals and resources closer to you. Thank you for reaching out.
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 15, 2020 @ 2:00 PM
Let us know! I’m very curious about that myself.
Comment by Mic — June 26, 2020 @ 6:36 AM
I may be a ‘5’, a Limbic Type. I have most of the behaviors listed. I have struggled with math and spelling issues since the third grade, but I managed to get a BA in Fine Arts and an MA in counseling Psychology. My organizational skills truly are almost nonexistent. I am doing my best to get help , but my resources are limited.
Kent.
Comment by Kent — June 27, 2020 @ 8:33 AM
Me to, its hard but what helps me is stress relievers. Like stress balls, stretchy things, chewable rubber (that’s safe) if any of these help you then I’ll be happy. 🙂 I’m always fidgety, need to squeeze something, I feel you.
Comment by Naomi Strayer — June 27, 2020 @ 2:55 PM
I have always been convinced that I have some form of ADD however after listening to a podcast where you discussed TBIs mimicking this diagnosis I second guess my self-diagnosis. I had several injuries to my head and neck area beginning with a skull fracture and concussion around age 7.
Would absolutely LOVE to have a SPECT scan done. Is this test ever covered by insurance?
Comment by Jennifer — July 6, 2020 @ 11:14 AM
Okay well all of those types describe me actually so would that just be called combined since it is a combination of all of them?
Comment by Kaye — February 1, 2022 @ 11:16 PM
Please provide me with a link to the ADD Type Test as a first step in determining which type of adult ADHD I have. I was diagnosed by a pschologist but would like to learn more about how your clinic can help me.
Comment by Kathy Moore — June 26, 2022 @ 12:07 PM
Hello Kathy, thank you for reaching out. Here is a link to our ADD Type Online Assessment: https://theaddquiz.com/
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 27, 2022 @ 8:30 AM
I don't understand why the top of this page is titled "Quiz." Where is the quiz?
Comment by Alison — November 7, 2022 @ 5:10 AM
I need to do a AdHD test. my psychiatrist told me to do one.
Comment by Alanna Sidoni — January 17, 2023 @ 4:21 PM
I definitely have ADD but none of your sub-types fit… so i can only conclude that there are more. 🙂
– distracted
– can't focus on the uninteresting
– task blockage – priority – emotional – procrastination
– impatient with slow / uninteresting talkers only
– non-hyper
– forgetful + no visual memory
– VERY positive content hopeful steady hopeful
Comment by chad — May 28, 2023 @ 6:24 PM
Please provide the link to determine which of the 7 classes of ADHD I have. The Video was unavailable if that is how the
quiz goes.
Thank you.
Comment by Lynda Douglas — September 5, 2023 @ 12:56 PM
Your site on the previous page offers a test…There is no test here!
Comment by Gerry Pheby — October 18, 2023 @ 7:36 AM
Hi i believe i suffer from adhd and depression i have gerd and depression and i'm 17 i dont know where im going with life sometimes i feel like i am making my own hear beat rather than it just happening if that makes sense, when i read on anything does not seem interesting to me i just forget the words i just read or forget what i just did i have a low self esteem, cleaning up after other people is painful i will procrastinate till past my own deadline for school work i never want to do anything except just exist its a task just to make myself get up and get water or food and when i do get it i just dont drink it or eat it gets cold or my drink gets warm and i have been told my whole life im smart just lazy but i dont feel smart and i dont know if people would understand me cause when i try explaining it i get called lazy and it feels as if its just gotten worse over the years and i get happy when i do things like clean up my room (im not a organized person) and im happy about it and show excitement i get called lazy and told i should do more and that bit of happiness always slips away i am so sad and tired of life.
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Comment by telugu adult video — November 19, 2023 @ 2:56 PM
Well I figured out what to test is once you get tired of trying to figure out how to get to it and you keep pushing the highlighted area where it says quiz and it does nothing but keep sending it to the same place and no quiz pops up if you get frustrated like I did and got angry and beat your phone to death and stomped on it then yes you have ADHD but on a serious note love what you guys are doing
Comment by Greg — November 28, 2023 @ 3:31 PM
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Comment by vorbelutrioperbir — November 30, 2023 @ 3:24 AM
Is there a test for different types of ADD? Is it free.?, can you please send it to me.
Comment by Twyla Gordon — February 6, 2024 @ 10:57 AM
Hi Twyla, yes we have a test you can take through Amen University here: https://addtypetest.com/
Comment by Amen Clinics — February 6, 2024 @ 11:09 AM