ADHD in adulthoodAlways distracted or restless? It could be ADHD.Many adults with ADHD were never diagnosed as children. If losing focus, forgetting things, putting things off or acting on impulse has always made life harder, a GP can help you work out what is going on and what to do next.Book a GP appointmentCall 07857 761328Not sure? Try our free 5-minute screening questions. If you are in danger or thinking of ending your life, call 999 now.Same & next-day appointmentsFree self-screeningShared care adviceYou keep your NHS GPGP appointment £1201What is ADHD?2Signs3Self-screening4Causes & risk5Your appointment6Treatment7Shared care in Scotland8How to help9Get help now10FAQs Medically reviewed by Dr Sam R Bandularatne, MBBS, DFMS, MRCGP · GP Partner & GP Trainer · GMC 5208303OUR GP Dundee · Last reviewed November 2026Seen by a GPOther causes checkedHeart & blood pressure checksClear next stepsStart hereWhat ADHD is, and why it is missed in adultsAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common difference in how the brain manages attention, activity and impulses. It is not laziness, and it is not caused by bad parenting.ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition. It often runs in families, starts in childhood (before age 12) and, for many people, carries on into adult life. To be diagnosed, symptoms need to affect more than one part of life – for example work or study, home, money or relationships.In adults it can look quite different from the “hyperactive child” picture. Hyperactivity often becomes an inner restlessness, and the biggest problems are usually with organisation, time, focus and impulsive decisions. Many adults, especially women, have learned to cover their difficulties, or have been treated for anxiety or low mood without anyone spotting ADHD underneath.It starts in childhoodSymptoms were there before age 12, even if nobody called it ADHD at the time.It affects daily lifeIt causes real problems in more than one setting, not just a busy week.It rarely comes aloneMost adults with ADHD also have anxiety, low mood, sleep problems or another condition.It can be treatedPractical strategies, talking therapy and medicine all help, and can be combined.Back to top ↑Signs to look forWhat adults with ADHD often noticeEveryone has some of these sometimes. In ADHD they have been there since childhood and get in the way of everyday life.I lose focus in conversations, meetings or reading, even when I try hardI start lots of things but struggle to finish themI lose my keys, phone or paperwork, and forget appointments and billsI put off anything that needs a lot of thought until the last minuteI feel restless inside and find it hard to switch offI talk a lot, interrupt, or finish other people’s sentencesI make quick decisions about money, driving or relationshipsMy feelings come on fast – frustration, boredom or irritabilityADHD in women is often missed. Girls and women are more likely to have the inattentive type – daydreaming, disorganised, overwhelmed – and to work very hard to hide it. Symptoms can also feel worse around periods, pregnancy and the menopause.At OUR GPTalk through ADHD symptoms with a GPFor adults who think they may have ADHD, or who are waiting for an assessment and want advice now.A 30-minute appointment to talk through your symptoms, look for other causes, and plan referral and support.Good to know: a GP cannot make a formal ADHD diagnosis; that needs a specialist assessment.About GP appointments →£12030 minutes face to face · video £110 · phone £60 Book nowBack to top ↑Self-screeningAdult ADHD self-screening questionsThese 18 questions come from the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1). They take about 5 minutes. Think about how you have felt and behaved over the past 6 months.Your answers stay on your device. Nothing is sent to us or stored. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.Part A – the 6 key screening questions1. How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done?2. How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organisation?3. How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?4. When you have a task that requires a lot of thought, how often do you avoid or delay getting started?5. How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or feet when you have to sit down for a long time?6. How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?Part B – 12 more questions to help the conversation with your doctor7. How often do you make careless mistakes when you have to work on a boring or difficult project?8. How often do you have difficulty keeping your attention when you are doing boring or repetitive work?9. How often do you have difficulty concentrating on what people say to you, even when they are speaking to you directly?10. How often do you misplace or have difficulty finding things at home or at work?11. How often are you distracted by activity or noise around you?12. How often do you leave your seat in meetings or other situations in which you are expected to remain seated?13. How often do you feel restless or fidgety?14. How often do you have difficulty unwinding and relaxing when you have time to yourself?15. How often do you find yourself talking too much when you are in social situations?16. When you’re in a conversation, how often do you find yourself finishing the sentences of the people you are talking to, before they can finish them themselves?17. How often do you have difficulty waiting your turn in situations when turn taking is required?18. How often do you interrupt others when they are busy?See my resultsClear answersYour results0of 6 Part A answers in the ADHD range0of 12 Part B answers in the ADHD rangeBook a GP appointment to discussWhatsApp us to bookPrint my answersOnly a specialist can diagnose ADHD. A positive screen can also be caused by anxiety, low mood, poor sleep, thyroid problems, alcohol or drugs, which is why a GP review is a good first step. If you feel very low or have thoughts of ending your life, please get help now.Back to top ↑Causes & linked conditionsWhat causes ADHD, and what often comes with itADHD is mostly inherited. It is not caused by diet, screens or parenting, though stress and lack of sleep can make symptoms worse.GroupWhat it meansGenes and familyADHD runs strongly in families. It is common for a parent to recognise ADHD in themselves after their child is diagnosed.Early developmentBeing born early or very small, and some problems during pregnancy, make ADHD more likely.Other brain conditionsAutism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, tic disorders and epilepsy are all more common in people with ADHD.Mental healthAbout 3 in 4 adults with ADHD have at least one other condition, most often anxiety, depression, sleep problems or alcohol and drug problems.Look-alikesDepression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, thyroid problems, sleep apnoea, head injury, alcohol and some medicines can all cause similar symptoms and need to be ruled out.Who is more likely to have ADHDpeople with a parent, brother or sister with ADHDpeople born early or with a low birth weightpeople with autism, dyslexia or dyspraxiapeople with epilepsy or a past brain injurypeople who had a very difficult early lifemen are diagnosed more often – women are often missedMany adults only recognise ADHD in themselves when a child or relative is diagnosed. If that is you, it is worth talking it through.Back to top ↑Your appointmentWhat the GP will doThe aim is to understand what is going on, rule out other causes and agree the right next step with you.Listen to your storyHow symptoms affect work, study, home, money and relationships, and whether they were there in childhood. Your screening answers are a useful start.Look for other causesMood, anxiety, sleep, alcohol and drugs, thyroid and other physical problems, with blood tests if they will help.Check your heartBlood pressure, pulse, weight, and any family history of heart problems or sudden death. ADHD medicines can raise heart rate and blood pressure, so specialists need this. An ECG may be advised.Refer you to a specialistA referral letter to an NHS adult ADHD service or a private specialist of your choice. Only a psychiatrist or specialist ADHD clinician can make the diagnosis.Help in the meantimeTreatment for anything else we find, practical strategies, and advice on support at work or college while you wait.Back to top ↑TreatmentHow ADHD is treated in adultsTreatment is planned by a specialist and usually combines understanding ADHD, practical changes, talking support and, for many people, medicine.Learning about ADHDUnderstanding how ADHD affects you – for you and the people around you – is the first step after diagnosis.Changes to your surroundingsFewer distractions, short bursts of work with breaks, and reasonable adjustments at work or college.MedicineUsually lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate first. Dexamfetamine or atomoxetine are options if these don’t suit. Doses start low and go up slowly.Talking therapyADHD-focused support or CBT can help with organisation, mood and self-esteem, alongside or instead of medicine.Monitoring on ADHD medicineblood pressure and pulse before and after each dose changeblood pressure, pulse and weight every 6 monthssleep, appetite and mood checked at reviewsat least a yearly review of whether you still need ittake it with or after food if appetite fallstell us about palpitations, chest pain or faintingDriving on ADHD medicine. Don’t drive if you feel drowsy, dizzy or can’t concentrate. Some medicines are amfetamines, which are covered by drug-driving laws, so keep proof of your prescription with you. You must tell the DVLA if your ADHD affects your ability to drive safely.Back to top ↑Private diagnosis & shared care in ScotlandPrivate ADHD diagnosis and NHS shared careLong NHS waits mean many adults in Scotland pay for a private assessment. Before you do, it helps to know how prescribing works afterwards.What shared care is. After a private specialist diagnoses ADHD and settles you on medicine, they may ask your NHS GP to take over prescribing under a shared care agreement. The specialist keeps overseeing your treatment, and you pay NHS prescription charges (none in Scotland) instead of private prices.Why GPs may say no. There is no national NHS Scotland policy on shared care: it is up to each GP practice, and some health boards have local rules. In 2022 Scotland’s National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) published guidance on prescribing after a private adult ADHD diagnosis. GPs look for a thorough assessment that includes information from someone who knew you as a child, a heart history (and ECG if needed), and a clear plan for who does reviews and dose changes. Short, single-appointment assessments often don’t meet this. GPs can also decline because of workload or prescribing risk.The cost if they do. Without shared care, you pay for private prescriptions and specialist reviews yourself – often several hundred to a couple of thousand pounds a year, on top of the assessment.Before you pay for a private assessment: check the clinic is registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (or the regulator where it is based), ask whether its reports follow the NAIT and Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland standards, and ask your own GP practice whether it accepts shared care.If your shared care is refused or withdrawnAsk for the reasons in writingWrite to the practice manager and ask which parts of your assessment the GP feels are missing. Your specialist may be able to fill the gaps.Contact your health boardAsk the adult ADHD or neurodevelopmental service about waiting times, and whether they can help avoid a gap in treatment.Get free, independent adviceThe Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) can help you raise concerns or make a complaint.Plan your medicine supplyTalk to your private specialist early about continuing prescriptions so you don’t run out suddenly.Keep copies of everythingYour assessment report, letters, prescription history and notes of phone calls.Back to top ↑How to helpWhat you, family and friends can doSmall changes help, whether or not you take medicine.Write it downUse one diary or phone calendar for everything, with alarms for appointments and bills.Break it downSplit big jobs into small steps, each with its own short deadline.Make room to focusTurn off notifications, use noise-cancelling headphones and work in short bursts.Look after your bodyRegular sleep, meals and exercise all help focus, energy and mood.Ask for adjustmentsEmployers and colleges can make reasonable changes, like a quieter space or written instructions.Learn about it togetherFamily and friends who understand ADHD can help with routines without nagging or blame. ADHD in adulthoodDownload our ADHD in adulthood leafletA free two-page guide for patients, families and carers: what ADHD is, what you might notice, how to help yourself, what the doctor will do and when to get help.PDF · 2 pages · A4 · 220 KBDownload leaflet (PDF)Open to printBack to top ↑Get help nowWhen it can’t waitCall 999 ifyou have chest pain, fainting, or a racing or irregular heartbeat · you have taken an overdose or are in immediate danger of harming yourself · someone is very confused, very agitated, or seeing or hearing things others don’tContact a GP the same day, or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours, ifyou feel very low, very anxious or have thoughts of suicide, you get palpitations, dizziness or high blood pressure after starting or changing ADHD medicine, or you stop sleeping or eating, or lose a lot of weight on it.To talk to someone now: Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 or Samaritans 116 123 (free, any time).A private appointment is not a substitute for emergency care. If you are unsure, call 999 or NHS 24 on 111.Back to top ↑FAQsCommon questions Can you have ADHD as an adult if you weren’t diagnosed as a child?Yes. ADHD always starts in childhood, but many people – especially women and those who did well at school – are not recognised until adulthood. A specialist will look for evidence that symptoms were there before age 12, for example from school reports or a parent. Is the online screening test a diagnosis?No. The ASRS questions show whether your symptoms are similar to those of adults with ADHD and whether further assessment is worthwhile. Anxiety, low mood, poor sleep and other conditions can give similar answers. Only a specialist can diagnose ADHD. Can OUR GP diagnose or prescribe for ADHD?A GP cannot diagnose ADHD or start ADHD medicine. We can assess you, check for other causes, carry out the heart and blood pressure checks a specialist needs, and refer you to an NHS or private ADHD service. Will my NHS GP prescribe if I am diagnosed privately?Possibly, but not always. In Scotland it is up to each GP practice whether to accept a shared care agreement. Ask your practice before you pay for a private assessment. What medicines are used for adult ADHD?Usually lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate first, with dexamfetamine or atomoxetine as alternatives. A specialist starts and adjusts them, checking blood pressure, pulse and weight. Can I drive if I have ADHD or take ADHD medicine?Usually yes. Don’t drive if you feel drowsy or can’t concentrate, keep proof of your prescription with you, and tell the DVLA if your ADHD affects your ability to drive safely. Will changing my diet help?A normal healthy diet, regular meals and exercise are recommended. Cutting out food colourings or taking fish oil supplements is not routinely advised unless a food diary shows a clear link.Struggling right now?If you are in danger or thinking of ending your life, call 999. Out of hours, call NHS 24 on 111. Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 · Samaritans 116 123.Back to top ↑EvidenceWhere this information comes fromThis page follows UK and Scottish guidance on recognising and managing ADHD in adults.NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries: ADHD – management (revised 2025)NICE NG87: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and managementBMJ Best Practice: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adultsBMJ patient information: ADHD in adults – questions to ask your doctorADHD UK: Adult ADHD self-screening tool (WHO ASRS v1.1)NAIT: Adult neurodevelopmental pathways report (Scottish Government)SPICe: ADHD in Scotland – prevalence, treatment and private careBack to top ↑Think you might have ADHD?Book a GP appointment to talk through your screening results, check for other causes and plan your next step.Book a GP appointmentWhatsApp 07857 761328This page is general information and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. The screening questions are adapted from the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) and cannot diagnose ADHD. What’s appropriate is a clinical decision made with a GP or specialist. OUR GP is a trading name of SRS Health Group Limited, regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. All doctors hold a licence to practise with the General Medical Council. Meet our team. We see patients from Dundee, Angus, Perthshire and Fife. More questions? See our FAQs.