Maybe you’ve always had an inkling that you might have ADHD, but you’ve never actually been diagnosed.
Or, maybe you’ve noticed that you think and process things a bit differently than everyone else, but weren’t sure why. While according to ADHD UK, the average waiting time for an assessment for the condition as of January 2025 is around 12 weeks depending on where you live, it’s a wait that might just be well worth it, especially if you’re struggling with some of the side effects that come along with this form of neurodivergence. If these experiences seem all too familiar to you, speak to your GP and ask to be referred to an ADHD specialist. It just might change your life for the better.
1. You can’t stay focused on anything for any decent amount of time.
Do you ever catch your mind wandering when you’re trying to focus on something? Whether it’s something important at work or a hobby you enjoy, staying on task can feel like a real struggle. It’s not about boredom; it’s that persistent difficulty in maintaining attention, no matter how hard you try. You might find yourself jumping between projects, leaving things unfinished, or feeling like you’re always playing catch-up. That kind of focus issue is one of the more obvious signs of ADHD. If this sounds familiar, it’s worth considering an assessment. Getting to the root of the problem could help you manage it better, and with the right tools, you might find that focusing on tasks becomes a lot easier.
2. You struggle to finish the tasks you start.
You know the drill — starting something is easy, but finishing it? That’s where the trouble begins. You start with great intentions, but no matter how hard you try, tasks remain unfinished. Whether it’s work assignments, personal projects, or even small things like tidying up, they can often feel like they’re just hanging around, waiting to be done. And it’s not because you’re lazy — it’s more likely because ADHD makes it tough to keep your attention on one thing for long enough to follow through. But don’t worry, it’s not about willpower; it’s a challenge that can be addressed. Getting an assessment can help you identify what’s behind the struggle and give you some solid strategies to improve follow-through in both the big and small tasks in your life.
3. Your time management skills are pretty much non-existent.
Does it ever feel like time is constantly slipping through your fingers? You might find yourself missing deadlines or running behind on things because it’s hard to judge how long something is going to take. The ADHD brain often has trouble estimating time accurately, and that can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. When you lose track of time, you might also find yourself feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up. But understanding the link between ADHD and time perception can really help. An assessment can give you the insights you need to begin managing your schedule better, giving you more control over your time and reducing that sense of pressure.
4. You forget things constantly, even important things.
Do you often find yourself forgetting appointments, deadlines, or even why you walked into a room in the first place? That kind of forgetfulness isn’t just an occasional lapse; it’s a constant struggle to keep track of the little (and big) things in your life. For someone with ADHD, forgetfulness is a common symptom, and it can make life feel chaotic and disorganised. It’s not that you’re not trying; it’s that the way your brain works makes it harder to remember and process information. An ADHD assessment can help you figure out exactly what’s going on with your memory and give you strategies to stay organised and on top of things.
5. You feel overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks.
Do simple tasks like replying to an email or tidying up feel way more stressful than they should? Even small, everyday tasks can feel overwhelming, not because they’re actually hard, but because they seem like huge hurdles. It might take hours to work up the motivation to get them done, or you might put them off entirely. That overwhelming feeling is often tied to ADHD, where the executive functions of the brain (the parts that help you organise, plan, and prioritise) aren’t working at full capacity, but understanding that this reaction is linked to ADHD can help. If you’re struggling to deal with these tasks, an assessment might offer the key to understanding why it happens and how you can tackle them in a way that feels more manageable.
6. You don’t find it easy to stay organised.
Do you feel like your workspace, calendar, or home is constantly in chaos? Maybe you’ve got piles of papers everywhere or find yourself running around searching for something you’ve misplaced. Keeping things organised can feel like an uphill battle, and it’s not for lack of trying. For people with ADHD, organisation often requires a lot of mental effort — effort that can be hard to muster when your brain is juggling so many things at once. The frustration of disorganisation can make it feel like you’re constantly behind, and that sense of stress only piles on more pressure. The good news is that understanding how ADHD affects your ability to stay organised can help. With the right assessment, you can start developing realistic strategies to get your life in order, whether it’s creating a better filing system or just learning how to keep your desk clear.
7. You’re very easily distracted.
Do you struggle to stay focused during conversations or while working on something important? Distractions can come from all directions, making it hard to stay on track. For someone with ADHD, distractions aren’t just occasional annoyances — they’re constant interruptions that derail your thoughts and projects. Whether it’s a sudden noise, a new email, or just a random thought, it’s easy for your focus to slip away. That can make it feel like you’re never getting anywhere. If this sounds like you, an ADHD assessment could help clarify whether distractions are part of the picture and give you practical tools to stay more focused.
8. You make impulsive decisions and behaviours that often hold you back in life.
Do you sometimes find yourself making snap decisions without thinking them through? It could be anything — buying something you don’t need, reacting hastily in a conversation, or making a quick choice that you later regret. Impulsivity is a classic symptom of ADHD, and it can have a major impact on various aspects of your life. Whether it’s your relationships, finances, or even how you feel about yourself, impulsive decisions often come back to bite you. The reason for this is that ADHD makes it harder to pause and think before you act, which means you might end up making decisions without considering all the consequences. But with the right support and strategies, you can learn how to manage that impulsivity and take more control over your actions. An ADHD assessment can help identify why it happens and give you practical steps for regulating those impulsive urges.
9. You hyperfocus on certain things at the expense of everything else.
Here’s the flip side of ADHD: sometimes, you get so immersed in a task that you lose track of time completely. This is called hyperfocus, and while it can be incredibly productive in certain situations, it can also lead to problems. When you get hyperfocused on something, you might forget to do other things that are just as important, like taking a break or responding to messages. Hyperfocus is one of the more interesting quirks of ADHD because it allows you to get so deeply engaged that you lose track of everything around you. While it can help you get a lot done, it can also throw your priorities out of whack. An ADHD assessment can help you better understand how to balance your hyperfocus, so you can use it to your advantage without letting other responsibilities fall by the wayside.
10. You feel restless all the time.
Do you feel like you’re never able to sit still, even when there’s no real reason to move around? Whether it’s tapping your feet, pacing, or fidgeting, that constant restlessness is a telltale sign of ADHD. It’s that inner urge to move or do something, and it can be hard to control. The physical need for movement often comes from a surge of internal energy that doesn’t quite have an outlet. For some people, it’s just a way of staying engaged, but for others, it’s harder to manage. Through an ADHD assessment, you can learn how to redirect that restless energy into something more productive, whether it’s through exercise, fidget tools, or simply finding ways to channel that energy more effectively.
11. Emotional dysregulation seems to rule your life at times.
Do you often feel like your emotions are running wild, and you can’t always keep them in check? It might be frustration, excitement, sadness, or even anger — but whatever the emotion, it can sometimes feel like it takes over. That emotional intensity is another hallmark of ADHD. People with ADHD tend to have a harder time regulating their emotions, which can lead to impulsive reactions or misunderstandings with other people. It’s not that you’re trying to be overly emotional; it’s just that your emotions can sometimes feel like they’re in the driver’s seat. An ADHD assessment can help you understand why it happens and give you strategies to manage those emotional ups and downs. It’s all about learning to respond in a more balanced way, so you can handle situations without feeling like your emotions are controlling you.
12. You procrastinate or avoid things you really need to get done.
Are you constantly putting things off, even when you know you need to get them done? Procrastination is one of those habits that tends to spiral out of control when ADHD is involved. It’s not that you’re being lazy; it’s just that the brain with ADHD struggles to organise tasks, prioritise them, and figure out where to start. That leads to avoidance, and before you know it, you’re scrambling to meet a deadline or feeling overwhelmed by everything you’ve left undone. Breaking the cycle of procrastination isn’t easy, but it is possible. An ADHD assessment can help you understand why procrastination is happening and give you the tools you need to stop putting things off and start making progress. Small steps, like breaking tasks into manageable chunks or setting clear goals, can help you stop the cycle and get back on track.
13. You often feel misunderstood.
Do you feel like people misunderstand you or think you’re lazy, careless, or not trying hard enough? This is something that a lot of people with ADHD experience, especially if they’ve never been diagnosed. Since ADHD struggles aren’t always visible, it can be hard for people to understand what you’re going through. That leads to frustration, and you might find yourself explaining or justifying your actions more often than you’d like. Getting an ADHD diagnosis can help you finally put a name to what you’ve been experiencing, both for yourself and for those around you. It can also open the door to more empathy and understanding from friends, family, and colleagues. With the right strategies in place, your challenges won’t feel so isolating anymore.
14. You constantly feel overwhelmed.
Does it seem like life is always a bit too much to handle? Whether it’s the pile of tasks, the mental clutter, or just the feeling that you’re always behind, ADHD can leave you feeling like you’re drowning in overwhelm. The combination of forgetfulness, disorganisation, and constant distractions creates a sense of chaos that’s hard to shake. You’re not just busy all the time — you legitimately feel like there’s always something hanging over you, always something else to do. An ADHD assessment can help you figure out exactly why you’re feeling so overwhelmed and teach you strategies to manage the mental load. With the right support and tools, life can start to feel more manageable, and you won’t feel like you’re constantly trying to catch up.
