Signs of ADHD in Adults: What to Look For and What to Do

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is commonly associated with children — but research consistently shows that 60–70% of children with ADHD carry their symptoms into adulthood. In the UK, it's estimated that over 3% of adults have ADHD, the majority undiagnosed. For many, a diagnosis in adulthood is genuinely life-changing — not because it changes who they are, but because it provides a framework that finally makes sense of decades of experience.

Adult ADHD often looks different from childhood ADHD. The hyperactivity tends to internalise — presenting as mental restlessness, racing thoughts, and difficulty switching off — rather than physical running around. Common presentations in adults include: difficulty sustaining attention on tasks that aren't intrinsically motivating, chronic disorganisation and time blindness, impulsive decision-making (financial, relational, or professional), emotional dysregulation, hyperfocus on areas of intense interest, and a history of underachievement relative to intelligence and ability.

A formal assessment is the only route to diagnosis. At Cura, our adult ADHD assessment uses validated clinical tools and a comprehensive clinical interview to provide a thorough, evidence-based evaluation.