Like lots of people who use TikTok, Olivia Howell has observed that her feed usually affords up posts about consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD). Nonetheless, she by no means paid that a lot consideration to them, till her sister DM’d her a video—which featured a girl’s chaotic interior monologue as she walked by way of her home—that struck a nerve. “I didn’t know different folks lived like that of their head,” Howell tells SELF. After that, extra ADHD-related movies that felt a bit of too acquainted popped up on her feed (isn’t TikTok’s personalised algorithm scary-fun like that?), which prompted her to say it to the psychiatrist treating her for nervousness. Unbeknownst to Howell, the 2 points usually happen collectively. She was identified with ADHD shortly after.

Although Howell’s “For You Web page” helped clue her in to the potential indicators of ADHD in adults, it’s one thing she (and most others identified with the dysfunction later in life) have most likely had since childhood, Lawrence A. Vitulano, PhD, ABPP, a scientific psychologist and professor of psychology at Yale College, tells SELF. How does that occur? The signs might not have been apparent to these round you—say, you bought first rate grades in class and had been extra prone to stare out the window than bounce round a classroom—or it wasn’t till you needed to plan your individual schedule as an grownup that it was clear how robust it’s so that you can keep on observe.

If you happen to do obtain a analysis, it’s essential to keep in mind that ADHD is tremendous treatable, Dr. Vitulano factors out, which makes catching its signs, even in maturity, generally life-changing. “This dysfunction, when it’s not managed, may be debilitating,” he says. “In case you have diabetes, we deal with it. In case you have an an infection, we deal with it—and we wish folks to really feel that manner about ADHD.” Listed below are 5 (generally delicate) indicators to pay attention to.

1. You end up getting distracted by each. little. factor.

Though scientists aren’t solely positive what causes ADHD, analysis suggests genetics performs a reasonably large function. “It’s extremely inheritable,” Dr. Vitulano explains. The dysfunction can present up in three main methods, in line with the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH):

• Inattention (problem staying targeted)
• Hyperactivity (feeling stressed or overly energetic)
• Impulsivity (appearing with out pondering a lot first)

To be identified with ADHD as an grownup, it is advisable have no less than 5 signs that would match into a number of of those classes (extra deets on these in a bit). If you happen to’ve had sure signs for no less than six months (and a few that began earlier than age 12, even for those who had been by no means identified) and you discover that they intervene along with your life, ADHD may be a possible trigger to discover. The indicators have a tendency to point out a bit of otherwise in adults, nonetheless, which makes detection later in life a bit of difficult. “I like to think about ADHD as a dysfunction of motivation,” Dr. Vitulano explains. “It’s actually onerous to be targeted on what you wish to get executed.” This may seem like swiveling your head every time the door opens at a espresso store, however Dr. Vitulano says that diversion may be delicate. In adults, hyperactivity may also seem like excessive restlessness, otherwise you may put on different folks out with a go-go-go mentality.

You may additionally really feel scattered or forgetful. “Somebody may ship their important different [with ADHD] to the grocery retailer and ask them to get 5 issues, they usually both come residence with fully various things than what was requested for or simply two of them,” Sid Khurana, MD, a psychiatrist with Nevada Psychological Well being, tells SELF.

2. …or you possibly can’t appear to regulate the place you steer your consideration.

Whereas folks are inclined to assume that ADHD is basically about lack of focus, generally your tendency to laser on to one thing can be too intense, a lot with the intention to’t appear to regulate or direct it to different areas of your life. “Perhaps you end up looking out the web for one thing for lengthy intervals and may’t get off, or maybe you play video video games till the wee hours of the morning,” Dr. Khurana notes. Alternatively, you may postpone massive, long-term objectives (say, scheduling well being appointments or making use of for jobs) in favor of smaller, much less vital ones (re-organizing your desk or repeatedly refreshing your inbox). Principally, per Dr. Vitulano, you may need a tough time making and adhering to a schedule.