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Keeping in mind that ADHD is unique in each individual, it can be even more difficult to determine symptoms of ADHD in adults. However, the list below will provide a guideline for how symptoms manifest themselves in adults with ADHD. (Please note that this should not be used for diagnostic purposes, if you feel that you may have ADHD, please discuss your concerns with your physician or a medical professional that is qualified to make a diagnosis.)

Inattention can appear in many different ways:

· May lose or misplace items such as keys, important papers, phone numbers and other things used on a daily basis. This often occurs on a regular basis

· Often forgetful, may consistently forget to take out the trash, may forget to pick up the children from activities, may forget to complete tasks, even after instructions have been given

· Beginning, but not completing tasks

· Often distracted, for example, may begin a task such as mowing the grass, but hear the phone ring, go inside, get a drink, pay attention to what is on television, talk with your children and completely forget to finish mowing the lawn until hours later

· May have difficulty following conversations. May be easily distracted and miss important details of conversations

· Lacks self motivation, even if the project sounds like something you would like to complete

· Often loses track of time or misjudges how much time has passed. Can be difficult to follow a timed schedule

· Your mind wanders easily, even if someone is speaking to you or you should be completing a task or project

Hyperactivity in children can be easy to spot. Children can’t sit still for even a few moments or they are constantly in motion. They may act as if driven by a motor and often jump or bounce around the room

· Needs constant motion, may tap feet, play with a pencil, doodle or fidget

· Easily bored. May move from job to job because you become bored once you have learned the job, may not complete projects because you become bored after a short time. You need be intensely interested in something for it to hold your interest

· Although you can sit still, you feel restless after just a few minutes of inactivity. You feel the need to get up, walk around the room or do something

· Active, risky or fast paced activities are more interesting and more apt to hold your interest

Impulsiveness is reacting without thinking first. Children that are impulsive might yell an answer out at school without raising their hand or waiting for their turn. Children may jump from a play set before thinking of the consequences. Adults with ADHD can also be impulsive:

· Consistently interrupts others while talking or answering a question before it has been completed

· Enters conversations while others are still talking