What should you know about mild ADHD in adults?

An adult may start tasks easily but struggle to complete them, underestimate time, forget practical details, misplace essentials, interrupt conversations or move between unfinished activities. Difficulty concentrating, irritability and feeling anxious may accompany the pattern, although they are not specific to ADHD.

An adult assessment asks whether difficulties were present earlier in life, occur in more than one setting and cause meaningful impairment. It also considers sleep, mood, stress, physical health, medicines and substance use. Being successful at work or highly organised in one area does not rule out problems elsewhere.

Make a short record of missed deadlines, forgotten obligations, restlessness, impulsive decisions and the systems you use to compensate. Ask a partner, relative or trusted colleague for observations if you are comfortable. A mental health assessment can clarify whether ADHD fits and whether another issue better explains the difficulties.

While waiting, use calendars with alerts, written priorities, quiet workspaces, visual prompts and brief planned breaks. Treatment may involve coaching or therapy, practical adjustments and medication when a qualified clinician recommends it. Review changes carefully, especially if sleep or anxiety shifts.

Seek professional help when attention or impulsivity affects driving, finances, employment, relationships, medication routines or basic self-care. Get urgent support for immediate danger, thoughts of self-harm, severe confusion or sudden neurological symptoms. New attention problems that began recently should be medically reviewed rather than assumed to be ADHD.

What evidence from childhood would be useful? Could sleep, anxiety or depression explain part of this pattern? Which adjustments are realistic for my work? What treatment choices fit my health history, and how will follow-up work?