So you think you might have ADHD?

Maybe it is something you have been quietly wondering about for a while. Or maybe a podcast, Instagram post, or late night Google spiral suddenly made a few things click. However it shows up, questioning whether ADHD might be part of your story can bring a strange mix of relief, confusion, curiosity, and emotion. For many adults, this question arrives later than expected, often after years of pushing through and telling yourself you just need to try harder.

Why does it feel like everyone is talking about ADHD lately?

It can feel like ADHD is suddenly everywhere, and it is understandable to wonder whether it is a trend, a phase, or something being overdiagnosed. In reality, a few important things are happening at once. Our understanding of ADHD has improved significantly, particularly in adults, women, and people who do not fit the old stereotypes. Research has expanded beyond childhood presentations, neuroimaging techniques have improved, and clinicians are much better at recognising internalised and masked forms of ADHD.

At the same time, modern life places huge demands on attention, working memory, organisation, and emotional regulation. Technology, constant notifications, and fast paced environments can amplify existing difficulties, making ADHD traits harder to compensate for than they once were. Social media has also given people language and shared experiences that many have never had before. Talking about ADHD more does not create it, it simply makes it easier to recognise.

The ADHD stereotype vs the lived experience

When people picture ADHD, they often imagine a hyperactive child who cannot sit still or stop talking. For many adults, especially women and people who did well at school, these images never quite fit. One of the most common features of adult ADHD is not a hyperactive body, but a hyperactive mind. This can look like constant mental noise, racing thoughts, difficulty switching off at night, replaying conversations, or feeling mentally exhausted even when life looks fairly together from the outside. You might appear calm and capable, while internally feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed.

Inattention is not always what people think

A big myth about ADHD is that it means you cannot focus at all. In reality, many people with ADHD can focus intensely on things they find interesting or meaningful. The difficulty is not attention itself, but regulating it. This might show up as struggling to start tasks that feel boring or overwhelming, losing focus on everyday responsibilities, forgetting appointments or deadlines, finding it hard to switch between tasks, or feeling pulled in a dozen directions by your own thoughts. It can be frustrating and confusing, especially when you know you are capable but still feel stuck.

Physical hyperactivity is not required

Not everyone with ADHD is physically restless. Some people are, but many experience restlessness internally. This can look like feeling driven or on edge, needing constant stimulation, discomfort with stillness, or becoming bored very quickly. Because these signs are subtle, ADHD is often missed in adults who have spent years masking, overcompensating, or burning themselves out just to keep up.

How we approach ADHD screening

If you are wondering whether ADHD might be relevant for you, the first step does not need to be a full diagnostic assessment. At Two Birds Psychology, we begin with screening. This includes simple evidence based questionnaires and a clinical interview to understand your current experiences, patterns, and developmental history. These screening tools are included as part of your session and do not cost anything beyond the usual appointment fee. The aim is not to rush to a label, but to explore whether ADHD could be part of the picture and whether further assessment might be helpful.

Considering a full ADHD assessment

If screening suggests ADHD may be present, we then talk through whether you would like to proceed with a comprehensive assessment. A full assessment involves more detailed questionnaires, a 1.5 hour assessment session to explore symptoms across childhood and adulthood, and a written report summarising the findings. Some people seek assessment for clarity and validation. Others need formal documentation to access medication, study or workplace adjustments, or further support. There is no pressure either way. It is about what feels right for you.

What happens after assessment

After assessment, there are a few different pathways forward. If medication is something you would like to explore, the assessment report can be taken to a psychiatrist, who can talk through options with you. Many people also choose to continue therapy, either alongside medication or on its own. Therapy can help you understand how your brain and nervous system work, develop strategies that actually fit your life, and reduce the shame and self criticism that often builds up over years of feeling different. For many people, this also includes processing grief, anger, or sadness about living undiagnosed for so long.

ADHD and anxiety often go hand in hand

ADHD very commonly co occurs with anxiety. In fact, many adults first seek support for anxiety before ADHD is ever considered. Anxiety can develop from years of feeling overwhelmed, constantly trying to keep up, overthinking, masking difficulties, or feeling like you are always one step behind. Other common co occurring challenges include depression, burnout, trauma related symptoms, and difficulties with emotional regulation leading to challenges in relationships. This is why a thorough clinical interview matters. We want to understand the whole picture, not just one part of it.

A final word

If you do have ADHD, its worth remembering that neurodivergent brains are not broken and don't need fixing. They are often creative, intuitive, energetic, emotionally attuned, big picture thinkers who can make connections others miss. Many people with ADHD are deeply empathetic, funny, passionate, and original. They can also be wildly good in a crisis, excellent problem solvers, and the people you find yourself talking to in the kitchen at a party at 1am.

The challenge is not having an ADHD brain. It is living in a world that was mostly designed for a different operating system.

For those who do discover they have ADHD, it is often less about labels and more about relief. It can explain how you can be impressing all your friends with your detailed knowledge about that one thing that had you deep diving until 2am, and then later notice you have been wearing your jumper inside out all day. It doesn't suddenly make life smooth or effortless, but it does tend to replace a lot of self blame with “oh, that makes sense”, which is usually a pretty good place to start.