Am I stressed or is it ADHD?

Identifying Adult ADHD can be challenging, as many symptoms overlap with other conditions, such as stress and also anxiety and depression. I am sometimes concerned about the effectiveness of therapy for some of my adult clients, in case that ADHD is not diagnosed.

In my practice I am regularly working with adult clients who have been diagnosed and take medication – some in a very consistent manner and others who decide on a day-to-day basis. For some, taking medication depends on how they feel and what tasks they want to accomplish.

Adult ADHD is frequently undetected and globally under-diagnosed

ADHD in adults is still globally under-diagnosed AND for the majority of adults with ADHD it goes hand in hand with other conditions like depression, anxieties, phobias, eating disorders and unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Therapy will most likely remain fruitless, if ADHD goes undetected and therefore undermines interventions targeting other conditions. However, there are specific signs and behaviours to look out for that can help differentiate ADHD. Check for yourself in particular, if symptoms have been an issue for you during childhood already – before the age of 12.

Persistent Inattention

Difficulty staying focused on tasks or conversations. Frequently making careless mistakes at work or in other activities. Often being forgetful in daily activities, such as being late for or missing appointments or losing items.

Hyperactivity and Restlessness

Feeling restless, often described as feeling “on the go” or unable to sit still. Difficulty engaging in activities quietly. Talking excessively or interrupting conversations frequently.

Impulsivity

Making hasty decisions without considering the long-term consequences. Difficulty waiting for one’s turn in situations. Interrupting or intruding on others’ activities.

Moodiness and Emotional Sensitivity

Experiencing frequent mood swings, feeling irritable or frustrated. Being hyper-sensitive, thin-skinned, vulnerable and often feeling overwhelmed by emotions. Quick to anger, struggling to regulate temper in challenging situations.

“Adults with ADHD have a shorter time horizon for their age.
Two times namely: now and not-now”
Dr. Ari Tuckman.

Differentiating ADHD from Stress

Stress and ADHD can present similar symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating and irritability. However, there are key differences:

ADHD symptoms are persistent and present in multiple settings (work, home, social situations) over a long period, whereas stress-related symptoms may fluctuate and are often linked to specific stressful events.

ADHD symptoms often begin in childhood, even if they are not diagnosed until adulthood. Reflecting on childhood behaviour can provide clues.

Stress typically manifests with symptoms like muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and mood swings, which are situational. ADHD has a more consistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Understanding yourself is a first step

If you notice a combination of the following behaviours, you might consider discussing them with a healthcare professional and also with people close to you like partners, friends, family members and also work colleagues. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I chronically procrastinating? (thereby frequently delaying tasks, often feeling overwhelmed by them)
• Do I have difficulty managing time? (i.e. struggling with time management, often underestimating how long tasks will take)
• Am I often disorganised? (showing chronic disorganisation in a broader way from workspace to personal life)
• Am I emotionally unstable or hypersensitive? (i.e. finding it difficult to manage emotions, leading to frequent frustration or anger)

Next steps

Recognising these signs can be the first step toward seeking the right support and treatment. Consulting with a psychiatrist can provide a definitive diagnosis and help to tailor medication to improve quality of life.

I understand that some people do not like the idea of taking medication and “become dependent”. While I do not want to disregard or downplay the concern, it is important here to highlight that the medication does not provide an addictive kick/high (i.e. patients often forget to take it, while they would not forget to order a glass of of wine with dinner ;-).

Furthermore, all of my diagnosed clients report that the medication allows them to function better and provides more consistency. This in turn enables them in therapy to work on life goals, strengthening their mindsets, overcome maladaptive core-beliefs and master challenges at work and in close relationships.