How long?
Can you remember related patterns in childhood, school or early adulthood?
A PLACE TO BEGIN
Wondering whether it could be ADHD?
You do not need to be certain, know the clinical language or have decided that you want an assessment. Start by looking at the pattern you have noticed and choose what would be useful now.
THE STARTING POINT
A pattern tells you more than one familiar trait.
Many people begin with ordinary-life observations: losing track of time, struggling to start or finish tasks, needing elaborate systems to stay organised, feeling restless, or finding that attention depends heavily on interest and urgency.
Recognising yourself in one description does not establish ADHD. What matters more is whether there is a longstanding pattern, whether it appears in more than one part of life and what effect it has had.
A THERAPIST’S VIEW
Neill Hughes
BACP-accredited and registered therapist · ISST-certified Schema Therapist · ADHD Junction Clinical Editor
Look at the whole picture.
I think it is in human nature to seek an explanation when the ordinary tasks of life seem to require more effort than they seem to require of others.
There are often multiple factors at play that may lead to the same problems. ADHD can be present with dyslexia, dyscalculia and developmental coordination disorder. There are also other psychological conditions that may lead to similar problems (i.e. anxiety, trauma, depression, stress). Finally, there are conditions (i.e. physical illnesses and injuries, menopause) that may lead to an individual being forgetful and/or disorganized.
It is possible for people to learn to conceal what conditions they may have. Sometimes circumstances may require that people learn to be organized and/or do something in a particular way even if it is difficult for them. The focus is not to convince you that what you have observed is not valid or to not support your efforts in finding a solution. The purpose is to understand all of the relevant details of what you have observed. Only then can it be decided what would be the most helpful for you (i.e. explaining something to you, giving you information, or making resources available to you).
QUESTIONS WORTH NOTICING
You do not need perfect answers.
Where?
Does it appear at work, in study, relationships, home life or managing money?
What effect?
How much time, energy or compensation does everyday life require?
What changes it?
Is it more noticeable with stress, tiredness, illness, boredom or pressure?
Examples from ordinary life are often more useful than trying to find the correct clinical terms.