What is ADHD?

What Are the Symptoms of ADHD in Adults?

Many people know about the symptoms of ADHD in children, for example, being overly active or having problems focusing on schoolwork. In adults with ADHD, however, the symptoms may be different, and many adults with ADHD don’t know they have it—though they know they have diffculties with everyday tasks. For example, adults with ADHD may find it diffcult to focus and prioritize, miss deadlines, and forget meetings or social plans.

ADHD in adults begins in childhood but it may not be diagnosed until you are an adult.^11,16 This may lead to challenges that can include losing a job because of inability to complete projects, issues in a marriage, financial debt because of impulsive spending, or diffculties in school due to failing grades.⁹ These outcomes are described in more detail in the After the Diagnosis Section.