What Adult ADHD Really Feels Like: 5 Common but Overlooked Signs
For many adults living with ADHD - especially those undiagnosed - it’s easy to wonder: “Isn’t everyone like this?” You might have spent years blaming yourself for being “disorganised,” “lazy,” or “too sensitive.” But what if there’s a reason for the struggles you face - a reason that’s been quietly shaping your daily life without you knowing?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) isn’t just about being easily distracted or hyperactive. In adults, it can look very different from the stereotypical image. It can be subtle, internal, and often misunderstood - even by those living with it. According to the NHS, ADHD affects both children and adults, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.”
We frequently work with adults who are at various stages of questioning whether ADHD might be part of their experience, trying to get a diagnosis, or living with a diagnosis, and although their experiences can be highly unique therapy provides all of them a space to process and understand how ADHD impacts the ways they live.
Here are five common but overlooked signs of adult ADHD that might help you feel a little more seen if you are questioning whether ADHD might be part of your lived experience:
1. You Feel Mentally Exhausted… All the Time
It’s not just physical tiredness - it’s the mental fatigue of juggling thoughts, forgetting things, trying to keep track of everything all at once. Your brain rarely feels “off,” and even simple tasks can take more energy than they seem to for others. If your mind feels like an internet browser with 30 tabs open, this might resonate.
2. Time Feels Slippery
You either have no time or way too much time. You might underestimate how long things take, miss deadlines, or suddenly realise hours have passed without getting to what really matters. This inconsistent relationship with time - sometimes called “time blindness” - is a common and often frustrating part of ADHD.
3. You’re Extremely Sensitive to Criticism
Even mild feedback can hit hard and linger for days. Many adults with ADHD carry a deep sense of shame or self-doubt, often rooted in a lifetime of misunderstood struggles or perceived “failures.” Criticism can feel personal, even if it’s not meant to be.
4. You Struggle with “Simple” Tasks
Paying a bill, replying to an email, tidying a corner of a room - these small tasks can feel disproportionately overwhelming. You may procrastinate, forget, or avoid them completely, not because you don’t care, but because the executive function skills involved (organising, initiating, prioritising) are compromised by ADHD.
5. You’re Always “On” - Until You Crash
You might feel driven to overcompensate - working longer, staying up later, saying yes to everything - because deep down, you worry that if you slow down, you’ll fall behind. But this hyper-alert state isn’t sustainable. It can lead to burnout, especially when your brain is working overtime to manage everyday demands.
You’re Not Alone - And You’re Not “Broken”
If any of these signs feel familiar, it might be worth exploring the possibility of ADHD. Receiving a diagnosis can bring tremendous clarity and self-understanding - but even without one, recognising these patterns is a powerful step toward self-compassion.
Although we do not offer diagnoses as part of our service, therapy can be a supportive space to unpack these experiences, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and develop strategies that work for you. Whether or not you have a diagnosis, your struggles are valid - and you deserve support that honours your unique brain and life.
Want to explore this further in therapy?
Our therapists offer a safe, affirming space for adults navigating ADHD traits, diagnosis, or simply a sense that things feel harder than they “should.” You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Learn more about our compassionate counselling and psychotherapy in Edinburgh and online or get in touch here.