Psychologist Shares 7 Subtle ADHD Signs Most People Miss

Over recent years, awareness of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) has grown and the condition is being diagnosed more often.

According to NHS Digital, one in 10 people screened for ADHD in 2024 were diagnosed with the condition. This is a huge shift compared to 2014 when the comparable figure was one in 40.

However, despite this, ADHD is still misunderstood and a significant portion of undiagnosed adults struggle on with subtle signs that impact their daily lives.

That’s why Dr Bijal Chheda, the founder of Nos Curare, a private mental health clinic in London, spoke to HuffPost UK to share the subtle signs of ADHD that people often miss.

Subtle ADHD signs that can go under the radar, according to a psychologist

Time management difficulties

Dr Chheda explained people with ADHD frequently struggle with time management – also known as “time blindness”.

“This means they tend to over- or underestimate how long certain tasks will take, which can lead to chronic lateness and missed deadlines,” she said.

“For those with ADHD, the concept of time can feel abstract, and tasks may need to be broken down into smaller, less intimidating chunks. Otherwise, this makes deadlines seem either too distant to matter or too urgent to handle.”

The sign is often overlooked, said the expert, and people sometimes assume they are just “easily distracted, procrastinating or even lazy”.

She continued: “Time mismanagement can make everyday life difficult as it’s often mistaken for poor organisation, rather than a neurological issue.”

Choice paralysis

Feeling overwhelmed by the choices provided to you can be frustrating for yourself and those around you – but if it is debilitating, you may be experiencing choice paralysis.

Dr Chheda shared: “People with ADHD often struggle with ‘choice paralysis’ whereby they find it difficult to make decisions on their own, especially when multiple options are presented. Due to overthinking, emotional overwhelm, or anxiety about making the wrong choice, individuals with ADHD often spend more time analysing choices, instead of making decisions.

“At the same time, a lack of dopamine (the ‘feel-good’ hormone) regulation in the brain can lead to low motivation, making even simple tasks feel impossible to do. While others may assume they are simply indecisive, the truth is that the ADHD brain struggles with prioritisation and reward-based motivation, so it makes tasks difficult to start or commit.”

Reading/listening but not processing

This can be frustrating, especially in a group setting, but Dr Chheda assures that it can also be a sign of ADHD.

She said: “One of the most common symptoms of ADHD is difficulty staying focused. This includes a tendency to zone out mid-conversation or in the middle of an activity, which translates into a struggle to process information.

“This is why individuals with ADHD often need to read a paragraph multiple times or constantly ask a speaker to reiterate what they just said. This can lead to misunderstandings, missed details, and the frustration of needing to revisit the same material repeatedly.

“As a result, people with ADHD often ‘mask’ their symptoms by appearing engaged, nodding along or practising active listening, however their minds have drifted without them realising it.”

Emotional sensitivity

If you find criticism or perceived rejection significantly painful, you may be experiencing an ADHD symptom called rejection sensitivity. 

“Many individuals with ADHD experience heightened emotional sensitivity, reacting more intensely to criticism, perceived rejection, or even small inconveniences,” she said.

This ‘rejection sensitivity’ can manifest as sudden mood shifts, emotional overload, or agitation.

“As well as this, the emotional reactions may not always be outwardly visible. Many people with ADHD tend to internalise their feelings, leading to self-criticism or withdrawal rather than outbursts,” said the expert.

“Since emotional dysregulation can fluctuate, others may see these responses as situational rather than an ongoing pattern related to ADHD. In fact, this is why people with ADHD are often misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression when they haven’t had the right consultation or care.”

Internal restlessness and anxiety

Many individuals with ADHD experience an internal restlessness, typically accompanied by racing thoughts, constant mind-wandering, and persistent anxiety.

And even when they’re physically still, they still have a persistent inability to relax or settle down.

“This sign is often overlooked because it manifests externally as daily stress or high energy levels,” said Dr Chheda. “Many people with ADHD may have learned to mask their symptoms by appearing composed on the outside while battling constant mental noise.”

Over- or under-explaining

While excessive talking is a well-known symptom of ADHD, many individuals with the condition actually tend to under-explain, assuming others understand their point without providing enough context.

Dr Chheda said: “These two contrasting symptoms can make it hard to diagnose ADHD in many individuals, as over-explaining to avoid misunderstandings is frequently mistaken for enthusiasm or nervousness.

“Meanwhile, under-explaining may be perceived as being vague, inattentive, or disinterested. As a result, many people don’t realise that struggling to gauge the right amount of information to share can be a symptom of ADHD.”

Sudden energy crashes

Sudden energy crashes or ADHD-related fatigue happens after periods of intense hyper-focus or activity.

Dr Chheda added: “They may be highly energetic and engaged one moment, then suddenly feel completely drained and exhausted the next. This inconsistency can make it difficult to maintain productivity and focus, especially when there are important deadlines approaching.

“As well as this, this symptom can easily be mistaken for tiredness, burnout, or considered a lack of discipline. Many individuals with ADHD push through their high-energy periods without realising they are overexerting themselves, only to hit a sudden wave of exhaustion.”

Help and support:

• Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
• Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
• CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
• The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.