Adult ADHD, explained by a psychiatrist and specialist

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is often pictured as a hyperactive kid who cannot sit still. But in a conversation with psychiatrist Dr. Sasha Hamdani, an ADHD specialist, it becomes clear that in adults the condition shows up in a much quieter way, and it is frequently mistaken for anxiety or depression.

More than an attention problem

According to Dr. Hamdani, ADHD is fundamentally a regulation issue. Beyond difficulty directing attention, it affects the regulation of motivation, energy, sleep, appetite, and, above all, emotion. That emotional piece is usually left out of the traditional definition, even though for many people it is the most disabling part.

Living with undiagnosed ADHD can feel like a string of intense emotional highs and lows, even when there is no obvious external trigger. That emotional dysregulation is different from ordinary stress from having too much to do: it can show up even after every task on the list has been finished.

The three types of ADHD

The specialist outlines three main presentations:

• Inattentive: trouble organizing, frequent forgetfulness, and a tendency to avoid starting large tasks. This is the most common presentation in women.
• Hyperactive or impulsive: physical and verbal restlessness, difficulty staying seated, and a tendency to interrupt in conversation.
• Combined: a mix of both patterns, present in a large share of diagnosed adults.

A thorough evaluation does not just confirm ADHD, it also rules out other conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or thyroid issues, since symptoms can overlap significantly.

Why diagnosis comes late for women

The original diagnostic criteria were built by observing hyperactive boys, so for decades ADHD in girls and women went largely unnoticed. The inattentive presentation is often mistaken for shyness or disorganization, and hormonal shifts (puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause) can worsen symptoms or get wrongly blamed on hormones alone.

That is why many women are first diagnosed with anxiety or postpartum depression, only discovering years later that undiagnosed ADHD was the underlying cause.

The link with eating patterns

Dysregulation can also affect hunger cues. Some people with ADHD lose all sense of hunger while hyperfocused on a task, while others turn to food as a way to stimulate dopamine production. Both extremes trace back to the same underlying difficulty regulating impulses and internal sensations.

Understanding the brain, not labeling it

A central message of the conversation is that an ADHD diagnosis is not an excuse or a negative label, it is a neurological explanation that lets people stop carrying guilt and shame for struggles that were never about character or effort. Understanding how your own brain works is the first step toward finding the right tools, whether through professional treatment, daily routine adjustments, or support from people close to you.

Conclusion

Adult ADHD goes far beyond trouble concentrating: it includes emotional dysregulation, hormone-specific challenges in women, and a complex relationship with appetite and motivation. Recognizing these signs and seeking a professional evaluation can make a real difference in quality of life, no matter what age the diagnosis arrives.