ADHD is often recognised in boys earlier than in girls, but many men still reach adulthood without diagnosis. Some may have been described as restless or impulsive at school, while others appeared to cope well until adult responsibilities increased.
What can adult ADHD look like in men?
Possible difficulties can include poor concentration, restlessness, impulsive decisions, procrastination, poor organisation, forgetting commitments, difficulty managing time and relationship difficulties.
Not every man with ADHD will experience the same symptoms.
Hyperactivity can change with age
Childhood hyperactivity may become less physically obvious in adulthood.
Instead, someone may describe constantly needing to stay busy, difficulty relaxing, internal restlessness, impatience or needing frequent stimulation.
Work can hide or expose ADHD
Some jobs provide enough stimulation and structure that ADHD difficulties are less obvious.
Other roles involving paperwork, long meetings or complex administration may expose difficulties more clearly.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity can affect spending, conversations, relationships, driving and work decisions.
It is important to remember that impulsivity varies considerably between individuals.
Mental health matters too
Adults seeking an ADHD assessment may also experience anxiety, depression, substance misuse or other mental health difficulties.
A proper assessment should consider these carefully.
What does an assessment involve?
An adult ADHD assessment explores both current symptoms and childhood history. The clinician will also consider how difficulties affect work, relationships and everyday functioning. Read our guide to what happens during a private ADHD assessment.
Common questions
Important: this article is for general information and is not a substitute for an individual medical assessment. Symptoms such as poor concentration, forgetfulness or restlessness can have several causes.
