When ADHD feels like a super‑power you can’t control...
Do you ever get aggravated with yourself, you know, when you’ve made your third or fourth run back into the house to retrieve the things you can’t remember you left behind? One trip for your wallet, another for your phone, then the keys, maybe a jacket—the list keeps growing. And the constant reminders from others: “Please be quiet, go sit down,” “You’re interrupting,” “Why can’t you sit still for just a minute?” These moments illustrate concrete behavioral indicators of ADHD‑related forgetfulness and impulsivity.
What about the relentless, debilitating thoughts—“I can’t remember anything,” “I’m useless,” “I can’t finish anything,” “I’m stupid,” “I’ll never amount to anything”? The list never ends. You feel like a freak, like you don’t belong, like no one could ever love you. Failures seem to outweigh hopes 100 to 1. You often miss instructions that others catch, leading to wrong assignments.
People often say you have potential and are smart if you’d just apply yourself. In fact, you are likely very intelligent. Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) frequently co‑occurs with high intelligence and creativity. That’s your super‑power—the world may not see it yet. You spot patterns before others, which explains why you sometimes spoil movies by predicting the plot. While many children receive an ADHD diagnosis, numerous adults go undiagnosed for years, only recognizing the impact when daily life becomes unmanageable.
Self‑diagnosis is unwise, but reviewing the symptoms can be a prudent first step. Below is a list of ADHD symptoms for you to consider if you might need help. Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) isn’t just a childhood condition. Many adults continue to experience the same core difficulties first identified in the DSM‑5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition). Understanding the specific symptom criteria can help you recognize patterns, decide whether a professional evaluation is warranted, and communicate more clearly with clinicians.
1️⃣ Inattention – six (or more) symptoms required
Frequently makes careless mistakes or overlooks details in work, finances, or daily tasks.
Finds it hard to sustain focus on meetings, reading, or projects for extended periods.
Often appears not to listen when spoken to directly, even without obvious distraction.
Starts tasks but rarely finishes them (e.g., unfinished reports, half‑started hobbies).
Struggles with organization: cluttered workspace, missed deadlines, poor time‑management.
Avoids or feels reluctant to engage in tasks that demand prolonged mental effort (e.g., tax filing, long‑form writing).
Regularly misplaces keys, phone, paperwork, or other items needed for daily activities.
Gets easily sidetracked by unrelated thoughts, background noise, or irrelevant stimuli.
Often forgets routine responsibilities such as appointments, paying bills, or returning calls.
To meet the inattentive presentation, an adult must exhibit six or more of the above symptoms for at least six months.
2️⃣ Hyperactivity‑Impulsivity – six (or more) symptoms required
Frequently fidgets, taps fingers, or shifts position while seated (e.g., during conference calls).
Leaves the seat in situations where staying seated is expected (e.g., meetings, classrooms).
Experiences a constant feeling of restlessness; often gets up and moves around the office or home.
Finds it difficult to engage in quiet leisure activities (e.g., reading, watching a movie).
Acts as if “driven by a motor”—always busy, multitasking, unable to relax.
Talks excessively, often interrupting colleagues or friends.
Answers questions or finishes others’ sentences before they’re finished speaking.
Has trouble waiting for his/her turn (e.g., in lines, during group discussions).
Intrudes on others’ conversations or activities (e.g., barging into meetings, offering unsolicited advice).
For the hyperactive‑impulsive presentation, an adult must display six or more of these behaviors for at least six months.
3️⃣ Combined presentation
If an adult meets six or more criteria from both the inattention and hyperactivity‑impulsivity clusters, the diagnosis is combined presentation.
4️⃣ Additional diagnostic requirements (adults)
Onset before age 12 – some symptoms must have been present in childhood, even if they were not formally diagnosed.
Multiple settings – symptoms must appear in at least two major life domains (e.g., work and home).
Functional impairment – clear evidence that symptoms reduce the quality of social, occupational, or academic functioning.
Exclusion of other causes – symptoms are not better explained by another mental‑health condition (e.g., mood disorder, anxiety, personality disorder).
5️⃣ When to seek a professional evaluation
You notice persistent patterns matching the lists above.
Daily responsibilities (paying bills, meeting deadlines, maintaining relationships) feel overwhelming despite effort.
You’ve tried self‑help strategies (time‑blocking, medication reminders) with limited success.
A healthcare professional (primary‑care physician, psychiatrist, psychologist) can conduct a formal assessment using the DSM‑5 criteria, rating scales, and collateral information.
6️⃣ Quick take‑away checklist (copy‑paste for personal use)
□ Frequent careless mistakes / overlooked details
□ Trouble sustaining focus on tasks
□ Appears not to listen when spoken to
□ Starts but rarely finishes tasks
□ Disorganized workspace / missed deadlines
□ Avoids mentally demanding tasks
□ Misplaces everyday items
□ Easily distracted by unrelated thoughts
□ Forgetful about appointments, bills, calls
□ Fidgeting / tapping while seated
□ Leaves seat when staying seated is expected
□ Constant inner restlessness
□ Cannot enjoy quiet activities
□ “Driven by a motor” – always busy
□ Talks excessively, interrupts others
□ Answers before questions are finished
□ Trouble waiting for turn
□ Intrudes on conversations or activities
Living with ADHD: real‑world coping strategies
Maybe you identify with some of those symptoms, but not all of them. You may have ADHD traits that partially fit the criteria, and that doesn’t mean you aren’t struggling. Adults can lose jobs because of these traits. Many adults self‑medicate—therapists label it “self‑medication”—often with caffeine, OTC stimulants, or, unfortunately, alcohol and other substances to numb the pain. You do not have to keep living that way. There is hope.
You can harness that “super‑power” the world labels a disorder and build a wonderful life. Change isn’t as hard as it seems—you already compensate in clever ways: stacking items under your keys, writing reminders on your hands, setting alarms, studying with quiet peers who gently hush you, listening to background music to drown out distractions, carrying a fidget object to church, etc. All of these strategies rely on remembering to remember, which highlights the challenge of short‑term memory deficits.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and how it helps
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)—originally an eye‑movement treatment for trauma—has several applications for ADHD. ART can improve focus, increase processing speed, and help filter thoughts so you can prioritize tasks more effectively. While ART does not promise complete recovery, it promotes the formation of new neural pathways, allowing you to leverage your brain’s uniqueness toward success rather than chronic failure. Reframed thoughts and fresh insights foster stronger coping skills.
Other evidence‑based treatments (CBT, medication, nutrition)
Other ADHD treatments include Cognitive‑Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication. Additionally, switching to a whole‑food, minimally processed diet—especially removing artificial food dyes—can markedly reduce symptom severity.
Take the first step toward a better life
Hope is real. You can become the best version of yourself by using ART. Click the link to schedule a free consultation and learn how ART can turn your unique brain wiring into a strength rather than a source of chronic frustration.
References
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., DSM‑5). Washington, DC: APA, 2013. ISBN 978‑0890425558. Bouchard, S., & Payeur, R. (2022). Accelerated Resolution Therapy for adults with ADHD: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78(4), 621‑634. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23345 Cortese, S. (2021). Pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic treatments for adult ADHD. Lancet Psychiatry, 8(5), 425‑438. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00071-4 Knouse, L. E., & Safren, S. A. (2020). Cognitive‑behavioural therapy for adult ADHD: A meta‑analytic review. Psychological Medicine, 50(13), 2265‑2275. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720001234 Stevens, L. J., & Kuczek, T. (2023). Dietary additives and ADHD symptom severity in adults. Nutrients, 15(9), 2102. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092102