Countless adults could be completely unawarethat some issues plaguing their daily lives may actually be symptoms of a neurodevelopmental condition usually diagnosed in childhood. An estimated two million people in the UK are believed to be undiagnosed according toADHD UK, meaning that only one in nine people with the condition are actually diagnosed.

Dr. Bijal Chheda, Consultant Psychologist and Founder of Nos Curare Clinic, explained that many people may be exhibiting the lesser known symptoms of ADHDbut miss these signs completely. She highlighted the sevensubtle signs of ADHD, urging people to consult with mental health professionals if they recognise these issues causing daily disturbances for them or their loved ones.

Sudden energy crashes

After intense periods of hyper-focus or activity, a more well-known symptom of ADHD, people with the condition may experience sudden energy crashes. They may feel highly energetic and thoroughly engaged in one moment but suddely drained and exhausted in the next.

This makes it difficult to maintain productivity and focus in daily life. This symptom can also be mistaken as a lack of discipline, leading some people to push through without realising they are overexerting themselves and then hit a sudden wave of exhaustion.

Time management struggles

People with ADHD often struggle with time management as they over or underestimate how long a task will take to do or how far away a deadline is. This can result in chronic lateness, making everyday life frustrating and risking deadlines not being met.

For those who aren’t diagnosed, it can also be mistaken for poor organisation, procrastination or laziness on their part.

Emotional sensitivity

Acting more intensely to criticism, perceived rejected and small inconveniences may be a sign of ADHD known as rejection sensitivity. These reactions might not always be outwardly visible but if others notice it, it can come across as situation-specific rather than an ongoing pattern of symptoms.

The doctor pointed out: “This is why people with ADHD are often misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression when they haven’t had the right consultation or care.”

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Choice paralysis

When presented with multiple options, people with ADHD may experience overthinking, emotional overwhelm or anxiety about making the wrong choice.

The psychologist explained: “Individuals with ADHD often spend more time analysing choices, instead of making decisions. At the same time, a lack of dopamine regulation in the brain can lead to low motivation, making even simple tasks feel impossible to do.

“While others may assume they are simply indecisive, the truth is that the ADHD brain struggles with prioritisation and reward-based motivation, so it makes tasks difficult to start or commit to.”

Internal restlessness and anxiety

Racing thoughts, constantly wandering minds and persistent anxiety are all typical of an ADHD brain. It can manifest as daily stress or high energy levels, making it easy to dismiss and some undiagnosed people may be masking by keeping their outward appearance composed despite the constant mental noise happening internally.

ADHD is often associated with inattentiveness, for example, having to reread a paragraph multiple times or ask someone to repeat themselves. This can lead to misunderstandings and frustration as they are forced to revisit the same material in order to process it properly.

Some may be able to mask this symptoms by appearing engaged, they may nod along or practice active listening while their mind wanders mid-conversation or activity. Sometimes without them even realising it.

Over- or under-explaining

Talking a lot is a well-known symptom of ADHD, but this can manifest as a tendency to over or under explain things. Struggling to gauge how much information you should share on a subject can be a symptom of ADHD.

The oversharing aspect is often written off as enthusiasm or nervousness while under-explaining may seem like a person is being purposefully vague or disinterested but in reality they simply assuming others will understand their point without the context.