Common Signs of ADHD in Adults That Often Get Missed
1. Chronic Forgetfulness
This isn’t just about losing your keys. Adults with ADHD may forget whole conversations, deadlines, or appointments. To others it looks careless — but it’s really about how ADHD affects working memory.
2. Difficulty Starting Tasks
You know what needs to be done, you may even want to do it, but your brain won’t “switch on.” This isn’t laziness — it’s executive function difficulty.
3. Hyperfocus (and Time Blindness)
While people think ADHD means being easily distracted, many adults actually get “locked in” to tasks. Hours can disappear, meals are skipped, and responsibilities forgotten.
4. Emotional Sensitivity & RSD
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is common with ADHD. A simple comment or critique can feel like a collapse, sparking anxiety, shame, or withdrawal.
5. Masking & Burnout
Many adults with ADHD have spent years covering up their challenges. On the outside, they seem organised or “fine” — inside, the effort of masking leads to exhaustion and burnout.
Why These Signs Are Missed
Traditional mental health assessments often focus on hyperactive children, not adults juggling careers, families, and responsibilities. Symptoms are instead written off as anxiety, stress, or depression — leading to years without proper support.
How Therapy Helps Adults with ADHD
In my practice in Limerick and online, I work with adults who are:
Newly diagnosed and trying to understand what this means.
Exploring if ADHD could explain lifelong struggles.
Living with the shame of being “too much” or “not enough.”
Therapy provides a space to:
Understand your ADHD as part of your identity, not a flaw.
Learn practical tools for focus, organisation, and self-regulation.
Reduce masking and start living more authentically.
Online & In-Person Support in Ireland (and Beyond)
I offer ADHD counselling both in-person in Limerick and online internationally. Whether you’re pre- or post-diagnosis, you don’t have to go through the uncertainty alone.
📍 Location: Mount Kenneth Place, Limerick (Autism-Friendly Accredited Practice)
🌍 Online: Available across Ireland and internationally
📞 Contact: info@robertrackley.ie | 083 320 6162
Conclusion
If these signs feel familiar, you’re not alone. ADHD in adults is real, and it deserves recognition, compassion, and the right support. With the right tools and understanding, life with ADHD can become not just manageable — but fulfilling.
