Understanding ADHD in Adults: Signs Often Missed
When you hear the term “ADHD,” what do you picture? For many, the image is of a young child unable to sit still, very talkative, easily distracted, and unable to focus in school. But what happens to those “easily distracted students” as they grow up? Do the symptoms simply disappear, or do they continue into adulthood in different ways? The truth is that while some children with ADHD do outgrow their symptoms, others carry them into adulthood — and for many, these challenges go unrecognized.
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a mental health condition marked by patterns of distractibility, impulsivity, and difficulty sustaining attention. For years, it was thought of mainly as a childhood disorder. However, research now shows that ADHD does not always end when childhood does. Some individuals continue to experience symptoms into adulthood, though they may present differently. Globally, about 1 in 10 children meet criteria for ADHD, and studies suggest that roughly 3% of them continue to experience symptoms as adults.
In Trinidad and Tobago and across the wider Caribbean, ADHD in adults is often misunderstood. Instead of being seen as a medical condition, it is frequently mislabeled as “carelessness,” “forgetfulness,” or being “always late.” In reality, adult ADHD may look like the man who struggles with deadlines at work and is unfairly called lazy, or the woman juggling household and job responsibilities who blames herself for being disorganized. It may also show up in university students who appear restless or distracted and are told to “just try harder” instead of being properly assessed.
Unlike children, adults with ADHD rarely appear “hyperactive” in the traditional sense. The signs are often subtler but still disruptive to daily life. Common examples include missing shifts or forgetting to pick up children from school because time slips away; struggling to keep track of bills or loan payments, which leads to financial stress; feeling restless or impatient in long lines at banks or government offices; constantly misplacing keys, ID cards, or documents — a frustrating problem when dealing with official paperwork; or having brilliant ideas but difficulty following through, which affects career growth or business ventures.
It is important to note that ADHD cannot be diagnosed from one or two symptoms alone. For it to be considered ADHD, these patterns must appear across different areas of life — work, home, and relationships — and they must significantly interfere with daily functioning.
When left untreated, adult ADHD can leave individuals feeling unaccomplished, which in turn may contribute to anxiety, depression, or reliance on alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms. On the other hand, when ADHD is recognized for what it is, people can begin to see that they are not lazy or incapable — their brains are simply wired differently. With proper support, adults with ADHD can learn tools and strategies that allow them to thrive.
A psychiatrist can help by ruling out medical causes, assessing for ADHD, and guiding treatment. Treatment does not always mean medication. Many adults benefit from therapy, coaching, coping strategies, and lifestyle changes. When medication is recommended, it is monitored carefully to ensure it is safe and effective. At Dr. Alleyne | Mind & Wellness, I also place strong emphasis on psychoeducation — helping families, employers, and communities better understand ADHD so that individuals receive support instead of stigma.
If these signs sound familiar, don’t ignore them or brush them off as personality quirks. Seeking an assessment can help you better understand what’s going on and open the door to tools that make life easier. In Trinidad, Tobago, and across the Caribbean, more people are beginning to understand ADHD and recognize it in adults. You don’t have to struggle in silence. The sooner ADHD is recognized, the sooner strategies for success can be put in place.
