Maybe you suspect that you have ADHD. But you’re not sure what really defines ADHD. After all, everyone has trouble focusing sometimes. Additionally, it’s normal to feel a little restless when you’ve been sitting in a classroom or an office for hours on end with no outlet for your energy.

Yet when do these normal human experiences cross the line into concerning symptoms? Understanding how the telltale symptoms of ADHD tend to present in combination can help you determine whether or not it’s time to reach out for help. Here are a few common ADHD symptoms to look out for.

Difficulty with Executive Functioning

The term “executive functioning” refers to someone’s ability to make a plan and follow through on it while maintaining attention to detail. It encompasses a broad range of life skills, such as planning, time management, following multi-step directions, concentrating for long periods of time, and picking back up where you left off if you’re distracted.

People with ADHD struggle with a wide range of symptoms that often fall under the broader umbrella of executive functioning. A lack of executive functioning ability can make it difficult to meet performance expectations at school, in the workplace, or even in other areas of your personal life.

Lack of Focus

Difficulty focusing is a hallmark symptom of ADHD. However, when people imagine someone who is struggling to focus because of ADHD, they might picture a young boy who disrupts his classmates or acts out in school. But this symptom can present as hyperactivity or inattentiveness.

In other words, someone who can’t focus due to ADHD might start problems in their classroom, or they might spend hours quietly daydreaming, with no one noticing that they haven’t started their assignments. Adults with untreated, inattentive ADHD might suffer in the workplace because they were undiagnosed as children.

Impulsiveness

People with ADHD often come across as impulsive. Again, it’s important to note that impulsivity does not necessarily mean engaging in risky or reckless behaviors in public. It could mean quitting a job at a moment’s notice or skipping shifts regularly, canceling plans right before their scheduled time, buying things without budgetary concerns, or telling a partner that you want to move, break up, or make some other dramatic change to your relationship.

Impulsivity can be deeply concerning for the people around you. They might worry that you’re risking your health, wellbeing, finances, and relationships for spur of the moment decisions.

Trouble Completing Tasks

Maybe you have a tendency to start new hobbies and quickly drop them. Perhaps you have a creative interest, and you’ve often set out to learn skills related to this interest. Yet after a day or two, you’ve completely lost your motivation.

Your difficulty completing tasks can also affect you when it comes to minor daily responsibilities. For instance, you might forget about food cooking on the stove, start cleaning your room only to get distracted, or leave your to-do lists half-written.

Struggles with Relationships

ADHD can get in the way of forming healthy relationships. You may have trouble sticking with a romantic partner in the long term. Additionally, it can be hard to build deep friendships. Not everyone with ADHD struggles with relationships, but many people do.

This is because impulsivity and difficulty following through on tasks can get in the way of committing to plans and communicating.

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Are you concerned that you might be struggling with ADHD symptoms? Working with a therapist can improve your quality of life. Reach out to us to learn more about our ADHD therapy services for men, women, or children/teens.