ADHD Symptoms: Comprehensive Guide for Adults, Children & Women
Comprehensive guide for adults, children & women
ADHD symptoms
Written by: Kiri
Medically reviewed by: Anuradha Kohli
What does ADHD really look like?
Let’s face it, ADHD can feel messy. For you, it might mean losing your keys three times a day or maybe it’s realising halfway through cooking dinner you forgot half the ingredients. It could mean that your child struggles to finish homework or maybe you’re an adult trying to hide how overwhelmed and burnt out from masking that you feel at work.
The most common ADHD symptoms include:
Trouble paying attention
Being super impulsive
Feeling hyperactive
Finding it tough to stick with routines.
These symptoms will change depending on your age and gender. And they can show up at school, at your job, in your relationships or just inside your own head.
But, the good news is you’re not stuck. With the right help and ADHD support in the UK, things will get easier.
UK ADHD at a glance
When it comes to ADHD support in the UK, you’ve got options.
The NHS can help, but you might wait a while.
In fact, it takes 12 to 24 months on average to get an adult ADHD diagnosis through the NHS [1].
Private ADHD assessments do move faster and there are charity helplines you can call if you want to talk first.
UK ADHD stats at a glance
5% of UK children have ADHD [2]
2–3% of adults meet diagnostic criteria [2]
12–24 months: average NHS waiting time for adult diagnosis [1]
Most adults stay undiagnosed until their 30s or later [3]
In this guide, we'll explore:
Symptoms across life stages (children, teens & adults)
Children: Noticeable hyperactivity, trouble following instructions, frequent distractions, impulsivity and difficulty in social interactions.
Teens: Challenges with academics, increased emotional intensity, risk-taking behaviour and sleep disturbances.
Adults: Struggles with maintaining attention, managing time, executive functioning, emotional stability and workplace productivity.
Women: Symptoms of internalised hyperactivity, emotional sensitivity, masking behaviours, hormonal influences and significant disorganisation.
How your symptoms evolve
Emerging traits (masking, RSD, burnout)
Diagnosis and treatment options
Where to find UK-based ADHD support
ADHD symptoms in children
For many, ADHD symptoms in children in the are often first noticed at school as inattention, impulsivity or hyperactivity. Your kids' school report might be littered with ‘can’t sit still’ or ‘disruptive in lessons.’
School ADHD support in the UK usually involves Special Educational Needs (SEN) support for ADHD, which helps get the resources and learning support children need to succeed in the classroom. [4]
But what does ADHD in kids look like in lessons?
It can show up as struggling to concentrate in class, frequently losing their things or finding it tricky to follow simple instructions.
What was once seen as ‘naughty’ behaviour, could be better described as hyperactive behaviour.
Like:
Constant fidgeting
Being unable to stay seated
Talking non-stop
Impulsivity can seem disruptive when it manifests.
Like:
Interrupting others
Blurting out answers
Acting without thinking things through
Emotionally, children with ADHD might suddenly feel frustrated or have mood swings that seem completely out of proportion to what's actually happening around them.
It’s these difficulties that can impact their schoolwork, friendships and even their confidence. This is why specialist support is essential in UK schools.
And it’s tough on the parents too. Many report seeing their child struggling to make friends even though they’re doing their best. And it’s incredibly common for children with ADHD to come home upset because they’re feeling like they can't keep up with the other kids.
So, if this sounds like your child, you’re not alone. Plenty of families feel exactly the same way as you.
ADHD symptoms in teenagers
Teenagers with ADHD are dealing with such a lot.
There's increased pressure at school, big emotions they can't always control, risk-taking and something called masking, which is especially common in girls.
At school, teens with ADHD will often:
Lose track of their assignments
Forget important deadlines
Have their grades slip even when they're trying really hard and they know the material
React strongly to criticism
Feel misunderstood or switch quickly between moods
This is something more extreme than the standard teenager mood swings.
You might also find that they are taking risks without really thinking them through. Are they dabbling in illegal drugs, getting into trouble or simply doing things on impulse that they later regret.
Teenage girls often get overlooked when it comes to ADHD.
This is because they’ve become very good at masking their symptoms. At school they probably seem perfectly calm and collected, but once they get home, they're exhausted and anxious from keeping it together all day.
If you notice your teen constantly yawning, it’s because sleep often becomes a problem too. Many teens with ADHD struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, so they're tired all the time. Making it even harder to focus during class.
We find that many teens with ADHD say they feel ‘different’ from their friends, even if they can't quite pinpoint why. Especially when they notice their school performance doesn't match the effort they're putting in.
When to seek help:
If your teenager’s mood swings, stress or risk-taking are making life tough, talking to someone who understands can really help.
ADHD symptoms in adults
Why is living with ADHD so hard?
The truth is, ADHD can feel like you’re always playing catch-up and when one thing is done. There is always something else.
It’s the constant doom piles, the unopened mail or the shame of forgetting that appointment again. Even though it was written down three times.
In adults, ADHD often looks completely different to what most people imagine.
Rather than bouncing around the room and being the on-demand class clown.
They’re more likely to be:
Juggling missed deadlines
Losing important papers because they forgot their ‘safe hiding spot’
Feeling completely overwhelmed by the small things other people seem to handle so easily
In the UK, so many adults don’t even realise that their struggles could be down to ADHD. Especially when symptoms like chronic disorganisation or trouble managing time often gets brushed off as just stress or being overworked.
The everyday stuff can get too much, like:
Remembering meetings
Finishing house chores
And it’s not just the ‘to do’ list that gets too much, even conversations can be stressful.
Because:
You accidentally interrupt
Miss social cues
Get distracted mid-sentence.
All of this can leave you feeling rubbish about yourself, wondering why life always seems so much harder than it should be.
If you're nodding along and saying ‘this is so me,’ you’re definitely not alone.
And you’re not bad at adulting, your brain simply works differently. By understanding your ADHD, it can make a massive difference to your life and those around you.
When to seek help:
When you hit the point where daily tasks, relationships, or work feels unmanageable, it may be time to consider an ADHD assessment or reach out for support.
For a deeper look at the challenges, strengths and late diagnosis advice, see our dedicated ADHD in Adults article.
Symptom: focus and attention issues
You know when you’re trying to read a book and you end up reading the same sentence ten times without any of it going in?
Or nodding along in a meeting and then realised you missed every important bit?
Or worse, they say your name and say ‘can you action that?’ Que the panic.
For adults with ADHD, staying focused can feel impossible sometimes.
But the thing to remember is that it’s not laziness or lack of effort, your brain just has other ideas. It drifts off, it wanders away and then leaves you scrambling to catch up.
This can cause a lot of stress at work and plenty of blunders in your personal life, too.
Symptom: Executive dysfunction
Have you ever had something important to do but just couldn’t get started?
This isn’t laziness or a lack of motivation. When you have ADHD, tasks can feel huge and complicated right from the start.
Your brain struggles to break things down into manageable steps. So instead, you end up staring at the task, worrying about it, putting it off and feeling pretty rubbish about yourself in the process.
Before you know it, deadlines are looming, you’re stressed out and your to-do list is growing by the second
When you have ADHD, emotions can feel turned up to maximum volume.
It could be the littlest comment or a minor setback, but it can hit you harder than most people realise.
Maybe someone gives you feedback at work and instead of just taking it on board, your stomach twists, your face gets hot and suddenly you're spiralling into anxiety or anger.
Even small things can leave you feeling hurt or upset for hours. It’s exhausting and can make relationships tricky, leaving you wondering why you can’t just let things roll off your back like everyone else seems to.
Symptom: Time blindness with ADHD
When you have ADHD, your sense of time can be all over the place.
You might sit down for five minutes and suddenly two hours have gone by without you even noticing. Or maybe you're always rushing out the door because tasks you thought would take ten minutes end up taking an hour.
It can feel like time just doesn't behave normally and it's seriously frustrating.
This can make you feel permanently behind schedule and stressed out.
Maybe you're always convinced you'll be ready in ten minutes, when realistically it takes you thirty. You end up scrambling out the door, feeling anxious and apologising again for being late.
It can put pressure on your friendships, relationships and even how people see you at work. It's not your fault, but it's exhausting all the same.
Hyperactivity in adults doesn't always look like bouncing off the walls. Instead it's often a constant restless feeling inside. It might look like pacing around on the phone or tapping your foot under your desk without realising. Or maybe your mind is racing so fast your words tumble out quicker than you intend.
It can feel like your energy dial is stuck on high, even when you're tired.
Symptom: Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus can be fascinating to anyone who doesn’t have ADHD. It can seem superhuman, the way you can go deep into the hyperfocus rabbit hole and get about 30 hours worth of work done in just 3 hours.
You get completely lost in what you're doing and suddenly look up to realise it's dark outside and you've missed dinner.
Sure, it feels great when you're smashing through a project or finally mastering a new hobby (your third new one that week). But it can also mean texts go unanswered, important appointments get skipped and your routines go out the window. It's brilliant and frustrating all at once.
Symptom: Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)
When you have ADHD, any real or perceived criticism or rejection can feel genuinely painful.
This is way more than being sensitive, it can feel as though the whole world has come crashing down around you. It could be something as simple as a friend cancelling plans or leaving your message on read.
RSD can make your mind instantly jump to the worst possible conclusions. It can leave you feeling hurt, anxious or fully convinced you've done something wrong.
Sometimes this makes you pull back socially, or you end up in the people pleaser category, bending over backwards to keep everyone happy.
Either way it's exhausting and it can really chip away at your confidence and relationships.
Especially when you're constantly trying to keep everything under control. You might find yourself tackling everyday jobs, family stuff and work responsibilities, yet constantly worrying you're not doing any of it well enough.
Over time that stress builds up, leaving you tired, drained and low on motivation. Eventually, the simple things can feel completely overwhelming.
If you're at this point, you're not failing, you're probably experiencing ADHD burnout.
Read our guide on prevention and recovery in ADHD Burnout.
Symptom: Sleep problems
Sleep and ADHD don't always get along.
The house might be completely silent, but in your head it's anything but quiet. Your brain just won't shut up. It's like someone turned on the radio, left the TV blaring, started replaying random scenes from your childhood and, for some reason, now you've got the Calgon jingle looping on repeat.
Meanwhile, your legs feel twitchy and restless, making it impossible to settle.
By the time morning rolls around, you're exhausted before you've even started your day, struggling to focus and feeling overwhelmed by the smallest tasks.
Symptom: Impact in the workplace
Being an employee with ADHD isn't always straightforward. You might find yourself regularly missing deadlines, zoning out during meetings or feeling overwhelmed trying to stay on top of multiple tasks.
But it’s important to know that it's not about your effort, because you're probably working twice as hard as everyone else just to stay on top.
Small adjustments at work can make a huge difference.
This can look like:
Clear written instructions
Flexible deadlines
Noise-cancelling headphones
Short breaks to help you stay focused and productive.
And don't forget, the Equality Act 2010 protects your right to ask for these adjustments, too. [5]
Symptom: Comorbidities and related challenges
ADHD often doesn't travel alone. It likes to team up with anxiety, depression, sensory overload or trouble navigating social situations at the same time.
Anxiety shows up in making everyday tasks feel stressful, turning simple routines into things you dread.
Depression can keep you constantly feeling flat or losing interest in stuff you usually enjoy.
Crowded spaces or noisy cafés might feel like too much, leaving you exhausted and overstimulated.
And then there are social situations, where you might accidentally misread someone’s tone or say something impulsively, creating tension with friends or partners without meaning to.
All these things combined can make daily life feel seriously challenging, which is why having support that covers all of these bases is so important.
ADHD symptoms in women
ADHD symptoms in UK women often fly under the radar because they're not obvious or loud.
It tends to be things people might dismiss as just being a bit forgetful or overly emotional. Stuff like never being able to keep your space tidy no matter how hard you try or always losing things that should be impossible to lose.
Maybe you miss appointments even though you've set alarms and reminders. Or maybe criticism sticks around in your head for days, leaving you feeling anxious or low.
Then, there are hormones. They can throw everything off even more.
Things like:
Your periods
Pregnancy
Perimenopause
Menopause
They can dial up your symptoms to the extreme. Making you feel extra frazzled and even more emotionally fragile.
It might take everything you have to keep it together in public, putting on a front so people don't see how much you're actually struggling. But keeping up this pretense is exhausting and probably part of why so many women don't realise they have ADHD until much later.
So if you're feeling permanently scattered, tired or misunderstood, you definitely aren't the only one.
Did you know?
The majority of women with ADHD are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. And this is often after years of masking their symptoms and struggling in silence.
Learn more about the different presentations and experiences in our ADHD in Women guide.
Emerging or overlooked ADHD traits
Not all ADHD symptoms are obvious or easy to spot. Often they're subtle, hidden or misunderstood, especially for women and girls.
Knowing these lesser-known traits can make a huge difference when it comes to spotting ADHD and finding support that actually helps.
Masking:
Masking ADHD symptoms happens a lot with women and teenage girls who spend huge amounts of energy putting on a brave face and pretending everything's fine. You might appear totally calm and organised from the outside, even though inside you're completely wrecked with overwhelm.
RSD:
RSD means you feel intense emotional pain from criticism or feeling rejected, even if it's not intentional. Little things can hurt deeply, feel catastrophic and then stick with you for days, weeks even longer.
Hyperfocus:
Hyperfocus ADHD is when you get so deeply focused and engrossed in something, particularly if it’s something you enjoy. You completely tune out the rest of the world. It can be great for getting stuff done, but it often means missing important things like, you know, eating or deadlines.
ADHD burnout:
It’s not sustainable. Years of coping with symptoms, pretending you're fine, or constantly criticising yourself for mistakes can leave you totally drained. That's when the ADHD burnout hits. You end up feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unable to keep going. Your brain and body will literally say stop.
Emotional flooding:
This is when strong emotions hit you suddenly, like a tidal wave, making it impossible to think clearly or calmly. Everything feels like it's too much all at once.
Identity confusion:
Always trying to adapt or fit in can leave you confused about what you really want or who you even are. It can cause quite the identity crisis, causing you to figure out what actually makes me happy later on in life.
Sleep issues:
Sleep problems with ADHD are common. Lying awake with racing thoughts or restless legs, struggling to wind down no matter how tired you feel. And poor sleep just makes everything else harder.
Sensory sensitivities:
ADHD sensory sensitivities make everyday noises, bright lights or busy environments feel insanely overwhelming and stressful, much more than they seem to be for other people.
Social issues:
Misunderstanding social cues or accidentally offending people without realising. These missteps can make relationships and friendships strained and leave you feeling isolated or frustrated.
How ADHD symptoms change over time
ADHD symptoms don’t stay the same throughout your life. They shift and change depending on your age and your gender.
Traits like hyperactivity and impulsivity in children are usually obvious. You might see them bounding around the classroom or interrupting conversations. These symptoms stand out clearly when kids are young.
As they grow into teenagers, these obvious symptoms often quiet down and become internal. The hyperactivity doesn't necessarily disappear, it just moves inside. Teenagers might feel restless or anxious instead. They also start masking their ADHD symptoms, especially girls, putting all their energy into appearing calm or focused at school. This masking takes a lot of effort and can leave teens emotionally drained and exhausted.
ADHD symptoms usually become even more subtle and complex in adulthood. Adults often struggle more with things like organisation, emotional ups and downs and keeping track of time and responsibilities.
It's not as obvious from the outside but it can feel even harder to manage.
For women, these internal symptoms such as emotional sensitivity and chronic disorganisation can feel even more intense, especially when hormones from menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause amplify everything.
Should I take an ADHD test?
A formal diagnosis is the only way to provide total clarity.
Use our free ADHD screener as a first step and discuss results with your GP or your HealthHero clinician.
ADHD diagnosis & treatment in the UK
How is ADHD is diagnosed?
The NHS ADHD pathway typically begins with a GP referral but then the waiting time may take over a year.
A faster route is to get a private ADHD diagnosis that can often be completed in just a few weeks.
Other than medications, you can use CBT for ADHD (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.) And many people find that lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet, can help to manage their symptoms.
Early signs of ADHD usually look like a kid who just can't sit still, struggles to pay attention or acts before thinking. They might constantly fidget, interrupt conversations or lose focus halfway through a task.
What are the most common ADHD symptoms in adults?
For adults, common ADHD symptoms include things like struggling to stay organised, often losing track of time, having trouble managing emotions and feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks.
How do ADHD symptoms present in girls?
Girls with ADHD usually show symptoms in quieter, less obvious ways. Instead of outward hyperactivity, they often mask their symptoms to fit in, feel emotions strongly and struggle with organisation. This means they might get diagnosed later in life.
How is ADHD diagnosed in the UK?
Getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK typically starts with chatting to your GP, who can refer you to a specialist team. They’ll carry out detailed interviews and assessments. But be aware, NHS waiting times can vary quite a bit depending on where you live.
What treatments are available for ADHD in the UK?
In the UK, treatments include medication (both stimulant and non-stimulant), talking therapies like CBT, ADHD coaching and lifestyle changes such as improving sleep, exercise routines and diet. Adjustments at work or school are also possible under the Equality Act 2010.
Are ADHD symptoms different in adults vs children?
Definitely. Kids tend to show ADHD as obvious hyperactivity or impulsivity. Adults, though, often experience it internally with emotional ups and downs, struggles with planning or managing time and feeling constantly overwhelmed.
Can ADHD symptoms be managed without medication?
Yes, lots of people manage ADHD symptoms without medication. Therapies, coaching, better daily routines, and supportive adjustments at school or work can make a huge difference.
How long is the NHS ADHD diagnosis waiting list?
On the NHS, ADHD diagnosis waiting lists typically range from around 12 to 24 months, but unfortunately it can sometimes be even longer depending on your area.
Is ADHD considered a disability in the UK?
Yes, ADHD is officially classed as a disability in the UK under the Equality Act 2010. This means workplaces and schools have a legal responsibility to make adjustments so you get the support you need.
What is rejection sensitivity dysphoria?
Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) is the feeling of intense emotional pain when you sense rejection or criticism. Even if no harm was intended, it can deeply affect your self-esteem and relationships.
What is masking in ADHD?
Masking in ADHD means you're consciously or subconsciously hiding your symptoms to seem organised or socially acceptable. It's exhausting, drains your energy and can lead to burnout.
Can ADHD symptoms worsen over time?
Without the right support, ADHD symptoms can feel harder to manage as you get older. But with good strategies in place, they can improve dramatically.
Does ADHD affect relationships?
ADHD can definitely affect relationships. Challenges with impulsivity, regulating emotions and picking up social cues can lead to misunderstandings and conflict with partners, friends or family members.
How can I access ADHD support in the UK?
To access ADHD support in the UK, your first stop should be your GP for an NHS referral. You can also reach out directly to charities like ADHD UK or ADDISS for advice and support groups. If you'd prefer a quicker route, private assessments will fast track the process.
Does school ADHD support UK include SEN support for ADHD?
Yes, school ADHD support in the UK usually includes Special Educational Needs (SEN) support. This might involve tailored teaching plans, extra classroom help or accommodations like extra time on tests, breaks to move around or fidget aids to help students stay focused.
What’s the difference between the NHS ADHD pathway and a private ADHD diagnosis?
The NHS ADHD pathway starts with your GP referring you to specialist NHS services. Wait times vary but can take one or two years. A private diagnosis usually means seeing a specialist much quicker, sometimes within weeks, but you'll typically pay for it yourself, as it's not always covered by insurance. Both involve detailed assessments and expert clinical evaluations.
References
House of Commons Hansard.Autism and ADHD Assessments. Debate, 6 February 2023. Hansard
Webster N, et al. ADHD in adulthood: A qualitative study of lived experience, self‑esteem, diagnosis and service provision in the UK. 2018. ResearchGate
GOV.UK.Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 2025. GOV.UK
UK Government.Equality Act 2010: Guidance on matters to be taken into account in determining questions relating to the definition of disability. 2016. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
