ADHD SYMPTOMS: What are they? And how can you harness them?
- Nat Harrison
- Apr 22
- 7 min read
Updated: May 6
Something I frequently notice when working with many creatives who suspect they might have ADHD or have recently been diagnosed (which was also true for me before my diagnosis) is that their understanding of ADHD is often more generalised and heavily influenced by its medicalised definition.
ADHD is frequently described as a deficit or disorder (as the name implies), an inattentiveness problem, an impulsivity problem or a focus problem. You only have to look at the NHS website to see if it still uses "behavioural problems" in its definition - "The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorised into 2 types of behavioural problems". It doesn't make me feel great. How does it make you feel? 'Problem', however, is a very common descriptor.
ADHDers are given many different labels that consistently carry negative connotations. Pair that with the medicalised definitions and societal stigma. It's no wonder people are only now recognising ADHD themselves in their 30s and 40s and even later in life.
While ADHD is technically classified as a disability under the Disabilities Act, some ADHDers also don't identify as disabled because they don't feel their symptoms are severe enough, and that's something medicalised descriptions and definitions leave out: the nuance of how ADHD differs from person to person, the severity in terms of the full spectrum of ADHD and how it can vary and change throughout life thanks to hormonal fluctuations, life circumstances and even trauma).
This can impact understanding of ADHD, especially if you're not already familiar with your own symptoms or you're stuck in the in-between of knowing and not knowing.
MY APPROACH AS AN ADHD COACH (AND LATE DIAGNOSED ADHDER)
In the first few coaching sessions with my clients, I help them understand the full spectrum of their ADHD symptoms. No two people are the same, and though there are common traits, each person can exhibit them differently. For example, not everyone's hyperactivity projects outward, and not everyone will experience every symptom, which is why it's so important to go inward and bring your own into your awareness. Once this happens, we start to unpack symptoms and dive deeper into ADHD; they begin to add the pieces together and make sense of it all.
I know someone who was recently diagnosed, and they were already suspicious, but once it was confirmed, everything started to make sense. For the first time in a long time, she gave herself grace as she looked back at the things she struggled with and the negative self-view she'd developed growing up from constant criticisms and not fitting into the neurotypical mould - and it all started from learning about ADHD beyond generalised descriptions.
My coaching isn't specifically to diagnose, not at all, but does help my clients recognise symptoms within themselves, push for diagnosis (if they want one), bring self-acceptance, and support their understanding of themselves by recognising their challenges were not because "there was something wrong" or they were "too much" or "too little" or "not enough." Hopefully, this post can help you, too.
LET'S LOOK AT SOME COMMON ADHD SYMPTOMS, MISCONCEPTIONS AND NUANCES BEHIND THEM.
1. An inability to focus
The most commonly discussed symptom of ADHD is inattention, which is described as an inability to focus. However, it isn't an ability to focus at all - instead, it's the ability to focus on multiple things at once because it's difficult to filter out distractions.
This is why, for example, an ADHDer in a coffee shop might be actively engaged in conversation while listening to the conversation at the following table, noticing every sight, sound and smell too, which can pull their mind in different directions, making it seem as though we're not paying attention when actually, we're paying attention to everything - ADHDers can focus on one task but under the right circumstances. If you struggle with this, check out this post for a quick hack to help you get in the single focus zone at work or home.
This heightened awareness is especially obvious in ADHD children, who tend to pick up on everything. Your child could be happily playing on the other side of the room, then later in the day, mention something you said in passing, thinking they weren't paying attention. A neurotypical child is less likely to pick up on this when focused on a single task.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is another common ADHD symptom. When you think of hyperactivity, most people have a specific image: someone who can't sit still, a child "bouncing off the walls," or even talking without taking a breath.
This is true for some, but for others, it can be internal hyperactivity or restlessness, a racing mind, an endless stream of thoughts one after the other, an internal monologue that doesn't stop and anxious thoughts despite sitting completely still or showing more subtle signs of hyperactivity like fidgeting, pacing, or picking at nails and skin.
In more severe cases, internal restlessness can often lead to complete ADHD paralysis or freeze mode. When you know you have a lot to do, your thoughts are racing, but so much is happening internally that you can't do any of it. The flip side is being able to hyper-focus, especially when a topic or a piece of work grabs your interest, and you end up pouring all of your energy into one task or thing - which can leave you running on empty for others and, worse case, trigger the ADHD burnout cycle - more on that here.
3. Impulsivity
Impulsivity is another ADHD symptom that can manifest in multiple ways. When you think of impulsivity, you think of grandiose decisions like quitting your job without thinking it through, spending too much money shopping because it feels good in the moment, or even starting a business because you decided you wanted to without a plan.
This can happen, but it can also involve interrupting conversations and talking over people, sending a message after a misunderstanding without clarification, or jumping to action on a task at work because it excites you without fully understanding it (we've all been there).
Maybe you've been in a meeting because you suddenly had an idea or knew exactly what you wanted to say in response to a question, and instead of waiting your turn, you went full speed ahead and said it. That's an example of impulsivity that isn't spoken about much.
4. High Sensitivity
Many ADHDers are highly sensitive, and this symptom isn't one I see spoken about often unless it's from ADHDers themselves. But it means we are very attuned to social dynamics. We can walk into a room and immediately sense the underlying mood. In meetings, we may be able to follow discussions while also paying attention to the dynamics between everyone in the room and, at the same time, thinking about what we might have for dinner.
It also makes us highly attuned to other people's emotions. It is incredibly common for ADHDers to have high levels of empathy, which I think is what makes us such great friends and leaders. It also means we are very, very good at picking up on social cues despite general knowledge suggesting we aren't. We don't miss social cues; how we react to them in the moment can be challenging because we're pulled between impulse and masking to fit in.
5. Rejection Sensitivity (RSD)
Rejection Sensitivity is, by definition, an intense emotional reaction to perceived rejection, criticism, or failure. From the outside, it can seem like an overreaction, but for an ADHDer, these emotions are very real and usually stem from growing up trying to fit in and the constant flow of 'small' criticisms mentioned earlier in this post. It's different for everyone, and not every ADHDer will experience RSD.
For some, it can be triggered by outright rejection; for others, it can be a change in tone, a shift in body language, or a social cue that wasn't meant to be seen. It could be an overwhelming fear of getting in trouble for a big or small mistake. A fear of failure can stem from not feeling good enough at work or at home. These emotions can make it harder to regulate and lead to impulsive decisions to protect or please.
6. Multitasking
ADHDers often find multitasking calming and may focus better when doing two things simultaneously, making it more likely to complete tasks.
This could be anything from listening to music while doing the laundry to watching TV while working. In meetings where focusing on one task is necessary, someone may play with their hands or a pen.
This could be enough for one person, but some tend to start three, four or even five tasks at once, which can quickly become overwhelming and lead to completing none of them or becoming easily distracted by something completely different.
TO SUM IT ALL UP
This is just a brief overview of the differences and variations of symptoms, but how they present and the limited information ADHD in the medical space can all play into the lack of understanding of ADHD, lack of diagnosis and, more importantly, a lack of connection and understanding of self.
And that's the goal of my coaching. We can work towards greater self-acceptance and empowerment by helping clients understand the full spectrum of symptoms and how they present. By recognising our challenges and where they come from, we can also recognise our strengths and capabilities to manage our day-to-day lives, live in a way that works for us, not against us, and thrive in life and our careers, with or without a diagnosis.
If you'd like to find out more about my ADHD career coaching so you can feel empowered in your work, then check out my post all about it here.
If you suspect you may be ADHD, speak to your GP about a diagnostic referral and what to do next.
ABOUT NAT HARRISON - ADHD CAREER COACH, AYAMA COACHING
Hi, I am Nat. I'm a certified ADHD coach specialising in supporting neurodivergent people who want to harness their brains for the better, improve their relationships with themselves and overcome barriers to making the desired change.
Book a FREE consultation below if you would benefit from some coaching in your work life.
SET YOURSELF UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL DAY BY BECOMING AWARE OF YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND DAILY GOALS EACH MORNING!
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