9 Signs Your Forgetfulness Could Actually Be Adult ADHD

'Don't forget' sticky noteThough more and more adults in the UK are getting attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses, ADHD UK says that millions may still be undiagnosed. That can cause issues – partly because untreated ADHD may be linked to worse mental well-being, higher incidences of addiction, and even a lower income.Still, some signs of ADHD can be dismissed as simple forgetfulness, the team at HealthTest told HuffPost UK.“A neurodevelopmental condition, ADHD affects around 4% of people in the UK (1.6 to 2.2 million adults),” they wrote – though it’s easily brushed off “as ‘being too busy’ or ‘being disorganised’.” Here are some signs the experts say you want to see an expert about: 1) Constantly losing things you were just holding “ADHD affects the working memory, which is the brain’s short-term ‘mental sticky note,’” the experts said. That means those with the condition may be more likely to remember where they put things they just laid down.The NHS says this can include your phone, wallet, and keys.2) Procrastinating, even on urgent tasks For those with ADHD, HealthTest advised, “The motivation system in the brain depends heavily on dopamine, and overwhelming or boring tasks don’t release enough of it to get you started until panic starts to set in”. That can make you put off even vital tasks for days.3) Hyperfocusing on some activities, then abandoning themEver bulk buy wool for a huge crochet project you’re currently obsessed with and stay up working on ’til 3am, only to abandon it a week later? This could be a sign of ADHD, the experts shared.“ADHD is difficulty regulating focus, not about a constant lack of focus,” they explained.4) Always being late, no matter how far ahead you planIf all your friends plan an hour-long delay for your attendance because you find it very hard to plan your time, this might be worth investigating. For those with ADHD, “Time blindness is trouble having an accurate sense of the passing time. You might underestimate how long things take or get too involved in something else... or forget to account for ’getting ready time.” 5) Struggling to pay attention to meetings or conversationsEver finish a meeting and realise you’ve retained zero information, or accidentally zoned out during a chat with a friend?“ADHD brains can find it hard to filter out and ignore background noise or racing thoughts, especially in a low-stimulating setting like long work meetings,” HealthTest told us. 6) Feeling your emotions are “louder” than others“ADHD causes reactions to be more intense and harder to hold back on as it affects the brain’s emotional regulation system,” the experts explained.“This isn’t just moodiness; the difference is how fast emotions rise and how long they can take to settle down.” It may manifest as minor frustrations creating an outsized response, for instance.7) Being overwhelmed by everyday adminIf you look at your list of supposedly “simple” day-to-day tasks and wonder “How does everyone else manage this?!”, ADHD may be to blame, HealthTest told us. “Emails, forms and bills all make you feel tired before you even start looking at them,” they said, because “In ADHD, tasks that are low in stimulation but high in importance can feel harder to focus on”. 8) You’ve been called disorganised and/or lazy“Thousands of adults with ADHD grow up hearing these names to describe them, as the real cause of their struggles is not recognised,” the pros shared. “Their brains are wired to process information, regulate focus, and manage time differently, meaning they often work harder behind the scenes than people think.” Sadly, this can lead to unfair name-calling.9) Missing appointments, even if you set a million remindersIf even your barrage of alarms and notifications can’t consistently get you to key appointments on time, that may be worth looking at (especially if it happens often and/or for important meetings).“This is because ADHD often interferes with prospective memory, [or] remembering to act on a plan at the right time,” HealthTest explained.“The alerts might pop up; however, your brain is deep into another task, making it easy for the intention to slip away before you do something.” The NHS advises seeing your GP if you notice signs of ADHD affecting your day-to-day life, including work, study, or relationships.Related...I Was One Of The First People Ever In The UK To Be Diagnosed With ADHDWaiting Endlessly For ADHD Or Autism Assessment? 'Right To Choose' May Get You Seen SoonerRSD May Be 'Common' With ADHD – Here Are Its Symptoms

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