06/04/2026
There’s a common misconception about Adults with ADHD.
That we’re “all over the place.”
We can’t hold down jobs or relationships.
That we interrupt when people speak.
That we fidget and can’t make eye contact.
That we have addictions that ruin our lives.
That we don’t have friends.
A lot of the adults that are diagnosed late in life developed perfectionism and people pleasing traits to survive.
They over-explain in emails so they’re not misunderstood.
They purposely speak last because at work or school they were told they’re too much. If they speak at all.
They spend more time masking than showing people their quirky, fun, creative side. Fitting the mold is safer.
Rejection sensitivity is rampant. Hearing “no” hurts.
They’ve developed a list of organizational and task initiation skills, they work most of the time.
They are self aware and regulated unless they are overstimulated. Which often shows up when they get home because they’ve held it together all day.
They’re burnt out.
Loving.
Considerate.
Sweet as can be.
And: Slightly annoyed at most times.
Adults with ADHD slip through the cracks because systems thought you stood out in the form of stereotypes and if you didn’t? Well. You had to wait to find a clinician like me to finally observe all the things you do just to exist alongside your peers and loved ones.
If you think you have ADHD, it’s a patient right to ask your P*P or current mental health provider. And it’s the provider’s responsibility to take it seriously and talk about next steps. If a clinician is dismissing you, review your rights and responsibilities paperwork and kindly remind them it’s within your right to ask about diagnostics and treatments that you’re wondering about that are affecting your daily life and causing impairment. And if you found it on social media and they’re dismissive of that? Also remind them it doesn’t matter where the information came from.
