Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is more than what we usually see in pop culture. ADHD definitely involves issues like trouble paying attention and impulsive or hyperactive behavior, but there’s much more to it.
ADHD isn’t about lacking the ability to focus; in fact, those with ADHD have great ability to hyper-focus on things they are passionate about. ADHD is about difficulty controlling what you pay attention to. Thinking of ADHD this way still explains why someone might seem easily distracted or quickly switch tasks, but it also highlights other, less obvious signs, such as:
1. Emotional Reactivity
Emotional Reactivity is one of the most common but overlooked signs of ADHD. People with ADHD often feel emotions intensely and have great difficulty shifting their attention away from them. Their emotions ramp up quickly, but can take much longer to fade away. Sometimes emotions linger for hours or even days, rather than just seconds or minutes. Anger or frustration is most common, but this pattern can happen with any emotion.
“Emotional dysregulation is a hallmark of ADHD and manifests as sudden mood shifts, irritability, frustration, and an exaggerated response to minor stressors.” — Shaw, Stringaris, Nigg, & Leibenluft (2014, p. 203)
2. Time Blindness
People with ADHD don’t just ignore time; they experience time very differently. They struggle to estimate how long tasks will take, notice the passing of time, feel urgency about deadlines, and learn from past timing mistakes. This leads to chronic lateness, procrastination, poor planning, and trouble reaching long-term goals.
“Those with ADHD are often ‘blind to time,’ failing to sense or use time effectively to guide their behavior, leading to difficulties with deadlines, appointments, and planning.” — Barkley, R. A. (2010, p. 253)
3. Chronic Chaos
Not occasional chaos—chronic chaos. People with ADHD don’t struggle to solve problems, but they have trouble planning and directing their actions toward future goals like others do. As a result, their impressive abilities often get wasted on constantly handling emergencies.
“Adults with ADHD often describe their lives as being in a constant state of disarray, struggling with disorganization, clutter, missed deadlines, and an inability to maintain structure in their daily routines.” — Solden & Frank (2019, p. 37)
Why It Matters
Recognizing ADHD in yourself or someone you love isn’t just about labels—it’s about understanding a brain that works differently and needs different approaches. When ADHD is untreated or misdiagnosed (often mistaken for anxiety, depression, or emotional “problems”), people blame themselves and miss out on useful strategies.
At Dallas CBT, we specialize in recognizing and supporting ADHD in adults who might have gone unnoticed for years. If you’re ready for answers and support, we’re here to help. Learn more about therapy for ADHD.