ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, activity level, impulse control, and the brain's self-management skills, often called executive functions. It starts in childhood, and for many people it continues into adulthood.
ADHD is not a lack of intelligence, effort, or willpower. It's a difference in how the brain regulates attention, motivation, and emotion.
What Are the Core Symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD symptoms usually fall into two groups:
Inattention: losing focus, missing details, forgetting tasks, losing things, and struggling to organize or finish what you start
Hyperactivity and impulsivity: restlessness, fidgeting, talking a lot, interrupting, acting quickly before thinking
Depending on which symptoms are strongest, ADHD is described as mainly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. Symptoms can look very different from person to person, and they often change with age.
ADHD, Executive Function, and Emotions
ADHD is not only about attention. It often affects executive function: starting tasks, planning, managing time, holding information in mind, and shifting gears. Many people with ADHD also feel emotions quickly and intensely, which can make frustration, overwhelm, or rejection harder to recover from.
How Is ADHD Diagnosed?
There's no single test for ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a careful assessment of symptoms, how long they've been present (since childhood), and how much they affect daily life in more than one setting, such as home, school, or work.
In British Columbia, ADHD is diagnosed by a physician (such as a family doctor, pediatrician, or psychiatrist) or a registered psychologist. Counsellors don't diagnose ADHD, but counselling can help you understand your patterns, prepare for an assessment, and build strategies whether or not you have a formal diagnosis.
What does ADHD look like in adults?
In adulthood, ADHD often becomes less about “running around” and more about:
internal restlessness
mental overload
difficulty organizing life admin
relationship strain
Many adults discover ADHD later because they were high-achieving, quiet, anxious, or simply very good at pushing through until life demands outgrew their coping strategies.
If that sounds familiar, you might relate to The Grief of a Late ADHD Diagnosis.
If you're a parent wondering whether your child needs an ADHD assessment, read: Should I Get My Child Tested for ADHD?
Common Questions About ADHD
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulsivity, activity level, and executive functioning. It begins in childhood and can continue into adulthood, impacting daily life and relationships.
Can someone be diagnosed as an adult?
Yes, and it's common. Many people are diagnosed in adulthood, especially if symptoms were missed in childhood or masked.
Is ADHD only a focus problem?
Not at all. ADHD often affects executive functioning and emotional regulation, not just attention. Many people struggle most with planning, follow-through, time management, and regulating intense emotions.
Do people outgrow ADHD?
Some symptoms can change with age, but many people continue to experience ADHD traits into adulthood. Even if hyperactivity decreases, executive functioning challenges often remain.
Is ADHD a disorder or a strength?
It can be both. ADHD is diagnosed because it can cause impairment and distress, but many ADHD traits can also be strengths when supported and understood.
Support for Adults With ADHD
I'm Shadan Mosavat, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) offering virtual counselling across British Columbia. If you're wondering how ADHD shows up in your own life, learn more about my adult ADHD counselling or Book a consultation.
