10 Common Symptoms of ADHD

What Is ADHD?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s ability to regulate attention, impulses, and activity levels. It can manifest in many different ways and impacts everyday life — from work and studies to relationships and leisure. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with concentration, planning, and organizing their activities. Many also experience a sense of restlessness or impulsivity that influences how they act in various situations.

ADHD is largely hereditary. It is common for a parent to discover they themselves have ADHD when their child is diagnosed. Symptoms usually appear early in life, often before the age of 12, and can persist into adulthood, although they may present differently depending on age and environment.

Three Types of ADHD

ADHD is divided into three main types, depending on which symptoms are most prominent:

• Combined presentation, where both inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are present.

• Predominantly inattentive presentation (sometimes referred to as ADD), where inattention dominates and hyperactivity is less apparent. You can read more about ADD [here].

• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, where restlessness and impulse control are the main challenges.

10 Common Symptoms of ADHD

Below are ten signs or symptoms of ADHD that frequently occur. However, it’s important to remember that each person is unique, and the type and severity of symptoms can vary greatly.

1. Difficulty with Attention

People with ADHD may struggle to maintain focus on tasks or activities that require sustained concentration. This lack of attention can result in missed details or starting new tasks before finishing previous ones. It can also lead to procrastination. These issues may cause misunderstandings and reduced performance in school, work, and daily life.

2. Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity is one of the most well-known symptoms of ADHD. It involves excessive restlessness, especially in situations where calm and stillness are expected. It can manifest as fidgeting with hands or feet or getting up from one’s seat in settings like classrooms or meetings. Hyperactivity may also show as difficulty waiting one’s turn, interrupting conversations, or appearing to be constantly “on the go” and unable to relax.

3. Impulsivity

Individuals with ADHD may act without thinking about the consequences, which can lead to impulsive behaviors. These can range from harmless actions like interrupting or impulsive shopping to more serious behaviors such as taking risks in traffic, engaging in dangerous activities, being aggressive, or self-harming.

4. Difficulty with Organization and Planning

Those with ADHD often have trouble organizing both thoughts and tasks, making it hard to plan and complete activities on time or in the right order. This can result in chronic lateness or missed commitments and may lead to a feeling of chaos in everyday life. Difficulty staying organized can also hinder progress toward long-term goals.

5. Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness is common in people with ADHD and can affect the ability to remember important details or follow through on tasks and obligations. It might show up as frequently losing items, forgetting to reply to messages, missing steps in instructions, or forgetting to take medication.

6. Hyperfocus

Although people with ADHD often struggle with attention, they can also experience the opposite: hyperfocus. This is an intense state of concentration on something enjoyable or stimulating. Once in hyperfocus, it can be hard to shift attention to another task.

7. Distractibility

Being easily distracted is a hallmark of ADHD. External stimuli such as sights and sounds can make it hard to maintain focus during conversations or tasks. Even subtle noises—like typing in a quiet office—can be disruptive to someone with ADHD, while they may go unnoticed by others.

8. Difficulty Listening

Listening and following instructions can be challenging for individuals with ADHD, leading to misunderstandings or frustration in school, work, or social settings. This issue is often linked to other difficulties, such as being easily distracted or restless.

9. Inconsistent Performance

Performance refers to the ability to carry out tasks effectively. People with ADHD may show inconsistent performance across situations or over time. They might be outgoing and engaged in one setting but withdrawn and uninterested in another. At work or school, they may be productive during some tasks and unmotivated or distracted in others.

10. Emotional Regulation Difficulties

Emotional dysregulation—difficulty managing emotional responses—is common in ADHD. Stressful or emotionally charged situations may feel overwhelming. While emotional control is expected in adult life, societal norms often don’t allow room for visible struggles with emotions. Children may be given more leeway, but even they face unspoken rules about behavior. Finding strategies for emotional self-regulation can help individuals with ADHD handle intense feelings more constructively.