Health
7 signs you might have ADHD and what steps to take
With 15.5 million U.S. adults currently diagnosed with ADHD, there is a growing focus on warning signs of the disorder.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a “developmental disorder marked by persistent symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity,” as defined by the National Institutes of Health.
“ADHD is often misunderstood as just being overly distracted or hyperactive — in reality, it’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, emotional regulation, time management and impulse control,” Lisa Anderson, a licensed clinical social worker and clinical director at Brooks Healing Center in Tennessee, told Fox News Digital.
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More than half of the adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder didn’t learn they had the condition until adulthood, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Approximately 15.5 million U.S. adults are currently diagnosed with ADHD, according to CDC data. (iStock)
Fox News Digital spoke with multiple mental health experts, who identified the most common signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults.
1. Impulsive behaviors
Adults with ADHD have difficulty managing impulsivity, according to Zoë Kahn, a licensed psychotherapist and ADHD therapist in Pasadena, California.
“This can look like blurting out answers in a classroom setting, interrupting in conversation and difficulty thinking through the long-term consequences of choices,” she told Fox News Digital.
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Impulsivity can also lead to making snap decisions without considering long-term consequences, Anderson added.
“It might also manifest subtly, like overspending on impulse purchases or having trouble waiting your turn in group discussions,” she said.
2. Difficulty focusing or staying on task
Procrastination and difficulty following through on tasks are common signs of ADHD, Anderson noted.
“You might struggle to start tasks, even when vital, or abandon them halfway through,” she said. “You might jump between tasks without finishing anything or focus on smaller, less urgent tasks while the bigger, more critical ones remain untouched.”
“It’s a persistent challenge that affects work, relationships and daily responsibilities.”
It’s not about laziness, Anderson noted, but about feeling overwhelmed by what needs to be done.
“ADHD-related daydreaming is persistent and often disruptive, especially when it happens during crucial tasks or conversations,” she said.
Procrastination and difficulty following through on tasks are common signs of ADHD, experts said. (iStock)
“This isn’t just about occasionally zoning out during a long meeting — it’s a persistent challenge that affects work, relationships and daily responsibilities.”
3. Trouble with time management
People with ADHD may struggle to manage their schedules, often underestimating how long it will take to complete a project or reach a destination.
“Deadlines might sneak up on you, or you might feel perpetually behind on tasks, no matter how early you started,” Anderson told Fox News Digital.
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“This can create a constant cycle of stress and underachievement, leaving you feeling frustrated with yourself.”
4. Mental fatigue
Mental fatigue and burnout are widespread in individuals with ADHD, according to Anderson.
“The ADHD brain often works in overdrive, juggling competing thoughts and struggling to stay on track,” she said.
“ADHD-related daydreaming is persistent and often disruptive, especially when it happens during crucial tasks or conversations.” (iStock)
“This constant effort to stay focused and organized can leave you feeling drained, even after relatively short periods of productivity.”
5. Forgetfulness
Another sign of ADHD in adults is general disorganization, Kahn said, which can lead to an inability to follow through on tasks, meet important deadlines, pay bills on time or keep appointments.
“The ADHD brain often works in overdrive, juggling competing thoughts and struggling to stay on track.”
They may also find themselves misplacing important items, like car keys.
“Adults with ADHD have a hard time finding and keeping focus, which could look like not paying attention in conversation, missing key details, being easily distracted in certain settings, or even focusing on the wrong details,” Kahn added.
6. Inability to sit still
People with ADHD often find themselves fidgeting and feeling generally restless, according to Dr. Michelle Dees, a board-certified psychiatrist at Luxury Psychiatry Clinic in Chicago.
People with ADHD may find themselves misplacing important items, like car keys. (iStock)
“In adults, this may present as inner disquietude or incomplete calmness,” she told Fox News Digital.
Anderson reiterated this common symptom, noting that in children, it often takes the form of physical hyperactivity.
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“It often transforms into internal restlessness in adults, where you feel like you can’t fully relax or sit still without feeling jittery,” she said. “This constant sense of being ‘on edge’ can become exhausting over time.”
7. Relationship challenges
“Many adults with ADHD have difficulty maintaining relationships with others due to inappropriate social behaviors, such as frequently interrupting, losing interest in conversations, difficulty paying attention and forgetfulness,” Kahn noted.
“You might forget to call friends back or forget about commitments to others, which can cause issues in your relationships.”
Emotional sensitivity often accompanies ADHD, which can manifest as mood swings, irritability or heightened responses to minor frustrations. (iStock)
Emotional sensitivity often accompanies ADHD, according to Anderson. This can manifest as mood swings, irritability or heightened responses to minor frustrations.
“Many people with ADHD describe feeling like their emotions are more intense and more challenging to control than those of others around them,” she added.
When to seek help
If you’ve experienced several of the above signs and they interfere with your daily life, experts recommend seeking help.
“ADHD is not a flaw nor something to be ashamed of — it’s simply a different way of processing information and interacting with the world,” said Anderson.
The first step is to speak with a health care professional specializing in ADHD, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or even your primary care physician, she suggested.
“They can provide a proper evaluation and help you explore treatment options, including therapy, medication or lifestyle adjustments,” Anderson noted.
Potential solutions include mindfulness exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help people with ADHD to improve their organization, time management and emotion regulation, the same source stated.
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“For many people, medication is also an essential part of managing ADHD, as it can help balance brain chemistry and improve focus,” Anderson added.
Brooke Bardin, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Clinical Quality Assurance in Los Angeles, pointed out that ADHD can sometimes be confused for other conditions.
It is important to be assessed by a psychiatrist or mental health clinician if you experience multiple ADHD symptoms, experts advise. (iStock)
“ADHD has overlapping symptoms with other disorders and is often comorbid with other diagnoses,” she told Fox News Digital.
Anywhere from 40% to 70% of people with autism spectrum disorder also have ADHD, according to Bardin.
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It can also occur in tandem with learning disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders.
“Because of this, it is important to be assessed by a psychiatrist or mental health clinician,” Bardin advised.
“ADHD is not a flaw nor something to be ashamed of — it’s simply a different way of processing information and interacting with the world.”
As you seek out the right support and strategies, Anderson emphasizes the importance of being kind to yourself.
“ADHD isn’t a limitation — it’s a unique way of experiencing the world, and with the right tools, you can learn to harness its strengths and work through its challenges.”
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A study from Sweden’s Uppsala University discovered a link between microplastics and multiple sclerosis (MS).
The research, published in the journal Environmental International, discovered that exposure to two common environmental contaminants, PFAS and PCBs, could increase the risk of the autoimmune disease.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals,” are used in some common household products, such as non-stick cookware, textiles and cleaning products. They have also been found in drinking water throughout the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic industrial chemicals once widely used in electrical equipment before being banned decades ago, as stated by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
The new study findings were based on blood samples of 1,800 Swedish individuals, including about 900 who had recently been diagnosed with MS, according to a university press release.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals,” are used in some common household products, including non-stick cookware. (iStock)
The first phase of the trial studied 14 different PFAS contaminants and three substances that appear when PCBs are broken down in the body. These were then investigated for a link to the odds of diagnosis.
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“We saw that several individual substances, such as PFOS and two hydroxylated PCBs, were linked to increased odds for MS,” lead study author Kim Kultima said in a statement. “People with the highest concentrations of PFOS and PCBs had approximately twice the odds of being diagnosed with MS, compared to those with the lowest concentrations.”
The researchers then examined the combined effects of these substances and found that the mixture was also linked to increased risk.
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Fellow researcher Aina Vaivade noted that risk assessments should consider chemical mixtures, not just individual exposures, because people are typically exposed to multiple substances at the same time.
“We saw that several individual substances, such as PFOS and two hydroxylated PCBs, were linked to increased odds for MS,” the lead study author said. (iStock)
The final phase of the study investigated the relationship between inheritance, chemical exposure and the odds of MS diagnosis, revealing that those who carry a certain gene variant actually have a reduced MS risk.
However, individuals who carried the gene and had higher exposure to PFOS — a singular type of chemical in the PFAS family — had an “unexpected” increased risk of MS.
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“This indicates that there is a complex interaction between inheritance and environmental exposure linked to the odds of MS,” Kultima said.
“We therefore think it is important to understand how environmental contaminants interact with hereditary factors, as this can provide new knowledge about the genesis of MS and could also be relevant for other diseases.”
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that leads to the breakdown of the protective covering of the nerves, according to Mayo Clinic. (iStock)
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel commented on these findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“MS is a complex disease that is somewhat autoimmune and somewhat post-inflammatory,” said Siegel, who was not involved in the study. “Epstein-Barr virus infection greatly increases the risk of MS.”
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“There is every reason to believe that environmental triggers play a role, including microplastics, and this important study shows a correlation, but not causation — in other words, it doesn’t prove that the microplastics caused MS.”
The study had some limitations, the researchers acknowledged, including that the chemical exposure was measured only once, at the time of blood sampling. This means it may not accurately represent participants’ long-term or past exposure levels relevant to MS development.
“There is every reason to believe that environmental triggers play a role.”
Fox News Digital reached out to several industry groups and manufacturers requesting comment on the potential link between PFAS chemicals and multiple sclerosis.
Several have issued public statements, including the American Chemistry Council, which states on its website that “manufacturers and many users of today’s PFAS are implementing a variety of practices and technologies to help minimize environmental emissions.”
In April 2024, the EPA enacted a new federal rule that sets mandatory limits on certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water, aiming to reduce exposure. The agency also aims to fund testing and treatment efforts.
A woman working out outdoors takes a sip of water from a plastic bottle. (iStock)
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that leads to the breakdown of the protective coverings that surround nerve fibers, according to Mayo Clinic.
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The immune system’s attack on these nerve sheaths can cause numbness, weakness, trouble walking and moving, vision changes and other symptoms, and can lead to permanent damage.
There is currently no cure for MS, Mayo Clinic reports, but treatment is available to manage symptoms and modify the course of the disease.
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Sitting next to a window may help people with type 2 diabetes control their insulin levels, according to new research.
The study, published in Cell Metabolism, found that exposure to natural light — even indoors next to a window — changes how the body processes glucose and uses energy.
People in Western societies spend 80% to 90% of their time under artificial lights, which are much dimmer and less dynamic than sunlight, the researchers noted. Natural daylight is a powerful cue for the body’s internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm.
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The body’s internal clock influences many processes, including digestion, hormone release and metabolism, according to research. When it gets out of sync, it can worsen insulin resistance and blood sugar control, which are two of the main issues caused by type 2 diabetes.
Typical lighting in homes and offices is much dimmer and lacks the biological signals provided by natural daylight. (iStock)
To test the effects of daylight on blood sugar, scientists recruited 13 adults with type 2 diabetes. Each person spent two separate 4.5-day periods in a controlled office setting, according to a press release.
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In one period, they worked in front of large windows with natural daylight streaming in. In the other period, participants worked in the same room with the windows covered and were exposed only to typical indoor lighting.
Daylight isn’t a replacement for medication or traditional management strategies like diet and exercise, the researchers noted.
Everyone ate similar meals, followed the same schedule and continued their usual diabetes medications in both conditions.
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While average blood sugar levels didn’t differ drastically between the two conditions, people spent more time in the healthy glucose range when they were exposed to natural daylight — their blood sugar fluctuated less and stayed within a desirable range for a greater portion of the day.
Participants who were exposed to daylight burned more fat and fewer carbohydrates, a metabolic pattern linked to better blood sugar regulation. (iStock)
Exposure to natural light also affected metabolism. In daylight, participants burned more fat and fewer carbohydrates for energy.
Muscle biopsies and laboratory tests further showed that the genes responsible for the body’s cellular clocks were more synchronized under natural light conditions, the study revealed.
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Better alignment of these genes can improve nutrient processing and how cells respond to insulin, the researchers concluded.
Sitting near windows or spending more time outdoors could support diabetes management alongside standard treatments, researchers say. (iStock)
However, daylight isn’t a replacement for medication or traditional management strategies like diet and exercise, according to the team.
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The study did have some limitations, including that the group of patients was small. The researchers cautioned that larger studies are needed to confirm these results and determine how much natural light exposure is optimal.
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“This study also highlights the often unnoticed impact of the built environment on our health, and raises further concerns about the prevalence of office environments with poor (natural) daylight access,” the researchers noted.
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