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ADHD
ADHD in adults: the signs that get missed
By Bridie McDougall, Registered Psychologist
Most of us grew up picturing ADHD as a hyperactive kid who couldn't sit still. So when adults struggle with focus, follow-through and overwhelm, they rarely think “maybe this is ADHD”, they think “maybe I'm just disorganised, or lazy, or not trying hard enough”. For a lot of people, that story is both untrue and exhausting.
Adults, and especially women, often develop clever coping systems: over-preparing, over-apologising, working late to catch up, masking so well that the effort is invisible. It works, until it doesn't. Big life changes, more responsibility, or plain burnout can tip a just-coping system into overwhelm.
Why adult ADHD flies under the radar
Signs that tend to get missed
Time blindness: losing hours, chronically underestimating how long things take.
The “wall of awful”: knowing exactly what to do and being unable to start.
Emotional intensity: feelings that arrive fast and big.
Rejection sensitivity: small criticisms landing hard.
Mental clutter: a browser with forty tabs open that never closes.
What actually helps
Understanding your own wiring is the turning point. From there, it's about building systems that work with your brain instead of against it, and easing the shame that's usually piled on top after years of “trying harder”. Whether or not you pursue a formal diagnosis, support can make a genuine difference.
Wondering if this is you?
You don't need a diagnosis to start making sense of it. Read more about how I support ADHD, or book a free 15-minute call and we can talk it through.