Attention and organisation
- Finding it hard to organise time or prioritise tasks
- Starting tasks but struggling to finish them
- Being easily distracted or forgetting everyday plans
- Misplacing items or overlooking details
A clearer picture
Adult ADHD Explained
ADHD can shape attention, activity and impulse control in different ways. Learning how it may show up is a useful first step towards finding support that fits you.
01
The basics
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. It can affect attention, organisation, activity levels and impulse control. People experience it differently: some have mainly inattentive traits, some mainly hyperactive-impulsive traits, and some a combination.
ADHD is not a measure of intelligence, effort or character. Symptoms generally begin in childhood and can continue into adult life, although their impact may change with age and circumstances.
Common experiences
Recognising Symptoms
Traits may be noticeable in more than one part of life, such as at home, at work or in relationships.
Activity and impulse control
- Feeling restless or finding it difficult to switch off
- Fidgeting or needing to move during quiet activities
- Talking a lot, interrupting or finishing others’ sentences
- Making quick decisions before weighing up the options
These experiences can have other causes too, including stress, sleep difficulties, anxiety or depression. A list of traits on its own cannot tell you whether you have ADHD.
02
Getting a clearer answer
Assessment and diagnosis
A diagnosis can only be made by a suitably trained specialist after a full clinical assessment. They will explore your developmental and health history, current experiences, and how symptoms affect everyday life across settings.
Questionnaires can help structure a conversation, but they cannot diagnose ADHD by themselves. A specialist will also consider other conditions or circumstances that could contribute to what you are experiencing.
Support that fits
Treatment and support options
Options depend on your needs, preferences and circumstances. A clinician can help you make an informed plan.
Medication
ADHD medication may help some people. It should be started and monitored by a specialist, with regular reviews.
Psychological support
Structured ADHD-focused support or talking therapies such as CBT may help with practical strategies and emotional wellbeing.
Everyday adjustments
Changes to routines, reminders, task structure, work or study environments can reduce barriers and support daily life.
Not everyone wants or needs medication. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified clinician and reviewed over time.
Adult ADHD screening
Complete this ADHD screening to check if you meet the criteria for an ADHD assessment.
This validated screening tool helps identify whether your current experiences are consistent with ADHD symptoms. It is a quick first step that can indicate whether a full assessment may be appropriate.
A screening result is not a diagnosis and cannot confirm or rule out ADHD on its own.