Disorders That Are Frequently Misdiagnosed as ADHD

Getting diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in managing its symptoms. Unfortunately, many people with ADHD—particularly women and girls—do not receive a diagnosis until they are adults. Less than 20% of adults ⁽¹⁾  with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are diagnosed, according to some studies, despite the fact that it is estimated that 7% of American adults suffer from this illness .

Adults with undiagnosed ADHD may experience extreme frustration, low self-esteem ⁽²⁾, and a persistent sense that they aren’t reaching their full potential. Additionally, undiagnosed symptoms are linked to worse outcomes, which means that you may be at a higher risk of experiencing major life challenges like unemployment and other mental health ⁽³⁾ conditions.

It’s crucial to get evaluated by a licensed mental health professional if you believe you might be exhibiting symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD. Although it can be treated, this condition won’t go away on its own.

The most typical indications and symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD in adults will be covered here, along with the difficulties in diagnosing ADHD in adults and advice on how to get a diagnosis and start treatment.

10 Signs of Adult ADHD That Go Undiagnosed

Although we frequently imagine a child with ADHD to be hyperactive and “bouncing off the walls,” it’s crucial to realize that adults with this disorder can exhibit different symptoms. Although they can present differently, the condition’s officially recognized symptoms are the same for both adults and children.

These are a few of the most prevalent symptoms of adult ADHD that go undiagnosed. You might have it if you can identify with a lot of them, but a proper diagnostic evaluation is necessary to be certain.

Fidgeting and restlessness

An abundance of restless energy is common in people with ADHD. Children who experience this restlessness may run around inappropriately or find it difficult to sit still. Adults may not run around physically, but they may exhibit signs of restlessness, such as shaking or tapping their feet, tapping pens, or fidgeting with their hands.

Additionally, adults frequently struggle to remain seated for extended periods of time. If you have undiagnosed ADHD, you may need to go outside for “fresh air” frequently or stand up or pace during crucial meetings.

A lack of organization

ADHD in adults can also lead to issues with organization. For instance, you may find it difficult to maintain a clean living or working space. Adults with this condition frequently lose important items in cluttered environments. Task management can also be impacted by disorganization; you might struggle to prioritize your to-do list and regularly miss deadlines.

You may have undiagnosed ADHD if you’ve always been a “messy” person or have trouble managing your calendar.

Focus Issues

One of the main traits of the inattentive form of ADHD is difficulty focusing, which is probably also present in people with undiagnosed ADHD.

Adults without a diagnosis may find it difficult to recognize when inattentiveness is affecting them because it is frequently misinterpreted as an inability to concentrate. In actuality, though, it’s more accurately characterized as a focus management issue. You may find it very difficult, if not impossible, to concentrate on monotonous or repetitive tasks. However, you may find the opposite to be true when it comes to something that interests you: you are unable to divert your attention from the task because you are so focused on it. Problems can arise from either extreme.

Absence of Drive

Chronic lack of motivation is a common symptom of ADHD ⁽⁴⁾ in adults. You may frequently feel so overburdened by the tasks at hand that you are unsure of where to begin. Or you may be stuck on the couch doing something pointless even though you know exactly what you need to do. It might be an indication of undiagnosed ADHD paralysis, a common occurrence.

The way adult ADHD ⁽⁵⁾ impacts the brain’s executive functioning can result in paralysis and a persistent lack of motivation. The brain’s more intricate processes, known as executive functions ⁽⁶⁾, include reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Finding intrinsic motivation to finish tasks can be more challenging for people with ADHD due to executive functioning deficits, according to research.

Ignorance

Adults with ADHD may also become more forgetful due to the way the disorder affects the brain. According to research, working memory impairment affects how people with ADHD store and retrieve pertinent information when needed.

This forgetfulness may lead to serious issues in your life. For instance, the fact that you frequently overlook crucial information, appointments, and anniversaries may have an effect on your relationships. Alternatively, you may struggle with everyday tasks like meeting deadlines or paying bills. It’s possible that you will forget instructions just a few seconds after they were given to you.

Dysregulation of Emotions

If you frequently experience sudden emotional or angry outbursts, it could be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD. Emotional dysregulation, or the inability to control and regulate one’s own emotions ⁽⁷⁾, is more common in both children and adults with this illness. Emotional dysregulation is even listed by the European Psychiatric Association as one of the six main characteristics of ADHD in adults.

For instance, you may cry frequently, have extreme mood swings ⁽⁸⁾, or get furious easily. Emotional dysregulation may also be exacerbated by co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, which are more common in adults with ADHD, particularly women.

Ineffective Time Management

“Time blindness,” a condition that makes it difficult to keep track of time, is common in adults with ADHD. For instance, you may frequently underestimate the amount of time required to prepare for an appointment, which could result in your tardiness. Alternatively, you may become so absorbed in your work that you fail to notice the passing of hours.

You may have this condition if you have been told that you lack a sense of time or if you are consistently late without realizing it.

Impulsive Actions

You might want to think about getting evaluated and diagnosed if you have a tendency to act more impulsively than other people your age. Although research indicates that adults with ADHD are more likely than those without to struggle with impulse control, impulsivity alone is not sufficient for a diagnosis.

For instance, you might partake in dangerous activities like careless driving or unprotected sexual encounters. You may alternate between making extremely rash decisions on the spot and being unable to make even the most basic decisions. Substance abuse ⁽⁹⁾ , which is more than twice as common in those with ADHD, is another prevalent indicator of impulsivity.

Insufficient Focus on Details

If you have been told that you have brilliant ideas but struggle with the specifics, it may indicate that you have undiagnosed adult ADHD ⁽¹⁰⁾.

For instance, you might be able to finish the exciting, big-picture portions of a project but find it difficult to finish the smaller ones. Alternatively, you may comprehend the more general ramifications of the topics covered but overlook the specific instructions. This disregard for detail can be upsetting and lead to issues in relationships as well as at work.

Issues With Execution

Adults with undiagnosed ADHD may also struggle to fulfill their obligations. It may be an indication that you have undiagnosed ADHD if you are the kind of person who gets excited about and starts new projects, frequently hopping from one interest or passion to another, but never sees any of them through to completion. Furthermore, overcommitting to tasks and overcommitting themselves can result in a lack of follow-through.

As previously stated, individuals with ADHD usually have no trouble maintaining focus on activities that pique their interest; however, it can be nearly impossible to maintain attention when they lose interest. Following through on commitments can also be challenging due to adult ADHD ⁽¹¹⁾’s forgetfulness, difficulty following instructions, and lack of attention to detail.

The Dangers of Undiagnosed ADHD and Its Effects

Adults with undiagnosed ADHD are impacted in all aspects of their lives. Adults who have undiagnosed ADHD are living their lives without the care they need and deserve because receiving the proper diagnosis is a prerequisite for receiving effective treatment. In addition to having a detrimental effect on your mental health ⁽¹²⁾, living with undiagnosed ADHD can have very real risks and consequences, such as

• Low self-esteem: Adults without a diagnosis are unable to explain why they may find some tasks more challenging. For instance, they might have had difficulties in school as a child or feel constantly overburdened by the routine responsibilities of adulthood (such as keeping the house tidy or making timely bill payments). They may internalize and hold themselves responsible for their alleged “faults” as a result, which lowers their self-esteem.
• Financial and job issues: Adults with ADHD must first receive a diagnosis in order to be eligible for reasonable accommodations that will help them thrive at work. Adults who go undiagnosed may be characterized as uncoordinated or challenging, which may affect their employment security.
• Additional mental health ⁽¹³⁾ disorders: Adults with undiagnosed ADHD are significantly more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, among other mental health issues.
• Substance use disorder: Individuals with ADHD are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, partly as a means of self-medicating their symptoms, particularly if they go undiagnosed. Those who do not receive a diagnosis until adulthood are frequently more likely to use illegal substances to manage their symptoms (instead of taking prescribed medication) because living with untreated ADHD is the result of not receiving a diagnosis.
• Relationship difficulties: Adults with ADHD, whether diagnosed or not, may have relationship issues. Relationships may be challenging due to the disorder’s impulsivity, emotional outbursts, and disorganization.
• Increased mortality risk: Regrettably, the most serious effect of undiagnosed ADHD is an increased risk of dying young. According to a 2015 study, the mortality risk is higher for all adults with ADHD, but it is even higher for those who were not diagnosed with the disorder until adulthood than for those who were diagnosed as children.

Why Is Adult ADHD So Difficult to Diagnose?

Given the importance of diagnosing ADHD and the risks associated with not receiving one, it raises the question, “Why don’t more people receive an accurate diagnosis?”

Children are frequently referred for an assessment when they exhibit disruptive behavior or fall behind in the classroom, which results in an ADHD diagnosis. You might grow up without ever comprehending your symptoms or receiving a referral for treatment if they manifest differently, as they do for many people, particularly women and girls.

ADHD can be more difficult to identify and diagnose in adulthood. Here are a few explanations for the reasons.

Co-occurring condition symptoms Keep ADHD hidden

Many adults with ADHD seek mental health treatment for other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, rather than for ADHD symptoms. The symptoms of these co-occurring disorders frequently conceal early indicators of ADHD, resulting in incorrect diagnoses.

Disguising Symptoms

Because they are so adept at hiding and managing their symptoms, many adults with undiagnosed ADHD have also succeeded in their current circumstances. This is particularly true for women and girls , who might experience social pressure to conform to ideals of quietness, patience, or neatness. Being able to control your symptoms is a good thing, but it also causes a delay in diagnosis because you hide the symptoms.

Stigma Around Mental Health

The stigma associated with mental illness persists despite our progress. Some adults who exhibit symptoms of ADHD may be reluctant to seek mental health assistance ⁽¹⁴⁾ because of this stigma. They cannot receive an evaluation and diagnosis if they do not seek assistance.

Inadequate Access to Treatment

Finally, a lot of adults, particularly in the US, have limited access to mental health ⁽¹⁵⁾ care. They might not have insurance, which could make visiting a mental health ⁽¹⁶⁾ professional unaffordable. Additionally, they might not know where to go for support because they live in a rural area without access to mental health treatment providers.

Receiving a diagnosis

You must get in touch with a medical professional who is qualified to perform an ADHD ⁽¹⁷⁾ assessment if you want to receive an adult ADHD diagnosis. Adult ADHD ⁽¹⁸⁾ is not yet diagnosed by providers using a standardized instrument or evaluation. In order to properly diagnose you, your healthcare provider will probably combine

• Symptom observation
• Clinical interviews with you and other significant individuals, such as your spouse
• Every mental health ⁽¹⁹⁾ condition’s diagnostic criteria are included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V-TR).

For a more thorough and knowledgeable consultation with a medical expert, you can begin by completing our free online ADHD test ⁽²⁰⁾.

Make an appointment with an ADHD provider right now.

The first step to receiving the ADHD treatment ⁽²¹⁾ you are entitled to is receiving a diagnosis. Adult ADHD can be effectively treated with a variety of techniques, such as therapy, non-stimulant medications ⁽²²⁾, and stimulant medications. These approaches can help you manage the disruptive aspects of ADHD and create a successful and satisfying life.