Answer These 5 Questions to Find Out!
You’ll discover:
- Why adult ADHD often goes undiagnosed (especially in high-functioning professionals)
- The 5-question ADHD screener you can use identify possible symptoms
- The 3 main subtypes of ADHD, and why they aren’t managed the same
- Why ADHD treatment is more than just a pill
- What to do if you check a few of these boxes
Undiagnosed ADHD in the U.S.
Take a walk down any busy street and you’ll pass dozens of people quietly struggling with something they don’t even know they have. It’s not just kids bouncing off walls or zoning out in class. This is the same, but different. It’s adults who are overwhelmed, exhausted, always “on,” and silently wondering why life feels way harder than it should. And more often than not, no one’s ever told them it could be undiagnosed ADHD.
I know, because that was me.
It wasn’t until I was deep into my medical education and studying for an ADHD exam, when it hit me: “I’m reading an autobiography with these ADHD examples”, I thought as I ran through those case studies.
I could focus on one thing really well, but only when I was hyper-interested in that thing. The impulsivity. Talking fast enough to keep up with the speed of my brain. Voluntarily juggling 20 tasks simultaneously and doing none of them extraordinarily well. The chronic sense that I was underperforming, despite working harder than everyone else in the room. Welcome to adult ADHD-hood.
Realizing that I had ADHD sent me down a path to not only understand how my brain works differently than the person next to me, but to help other adults who are living this same story without the clarity or language to name it.
Why ADHD Is Often Missed in Adults
Most people still associate ADHD with kids, not high-functioning adults. If you’re smart, ambitious, and successful, people assume you’re just “busy” or “burned out.” But ADHD in adults looks different:
- Constant multitasking, but things don’t really get finished
- Trouble sitting still or relaxing, even during downtime
- Being the last-minute adrenaline junkie who works best under pressure
- Forgetting small things, like where you parked or what you came into the room for
- Feeling drained from pretending to function “normally” just to keep up or avoid seeming
distracted or disorganized.
Sound familiar?
You might be one of the nearly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. living with undiagnosed ADHD. And
we’re seeing more and more patients here at our ADHD clinic in Arizona, especially high-performing professionals. I’ve diagnosed more adults with ADHD this year than ever before. Yes, studies say ADHD prevalence is increasing, but also adults are becoming more aware of ADHD and and are looking for answers; and solutions.
If you’re looking for testing or a free assessment, please schedule a time to talk to our doctors and staff.
Quick ADHD Self-Check: Answer These 5 Questions
This is adapted from the full ASRS v1.1, the same validated screener we use in our office. Answer honestly. And usually the first answer that pops in your head is the true answer:
On a scale from 1-5, with 1 being almost never, and 5 being almost always.
1. How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project once the challenging parts are done?
2. How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?
3. How often are you distracted by activity or noise around you?
4. How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?
5. How often do you fidget or squirm when you have to sit for a long time?
If you answered a 3 or higher on at least 2 of these, you might be tracking towards ADHD and should consider a full evaluation. We specialize in this type of care at PracticeRx’s ADHD Clinic of Arizona- right here in Arizona.
Have a Question?
What Type of ADHD Could You Have?
If you answered “yes” to two or more of those screener questions, you’re probably wondering what type of ADHD you might have. ADHD isn’t one-size-fits-all. According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), there are three main subtypes, and each has its own patterns — and treatment pathways.
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Inattentive Type – More daydreaming, forgetfulness, mental “drift,” and disorganization than obvious hyperactivity. I often see people who look calm on the outside but feel scattered on the inside.
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Hyperactive-Impulsive Type – Classic restlessness, fidgeting, interrupting, and impulsive decision-making. Think “always on the go” energy.
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Combined Type – A mix of inattentive and hyperactive traits, which is the most common presentation in adults. I’ve believe the combined presentation tends to become more noticeable as life demands increase (e.g., during adulthood with work, parenting, multitasking, etc.).
Knowing which subtype you’re dealing with matters because the strategies, supports, and even medications differ. Inattentive brains need one approach; hyperactive-impulsive brains respond better to another. This is why, at our ADHD Clinic of Arizona, we take the time to identify how your brain works first so we can build a plan that’s actually tailored to you.
What ADHD Treatment Looks Like
Here’s the part most people don’t get: ADHD treatment is not just about a giving you a prescription stimulant like Adderall or other medications. Sure, medication has a place and can be life-changing for most, but real treatment is about helping you understand how your brain works and then use that to your advantage.
It’s about:
- Learning new systems for focus and follow-through
- Navigating the emotional toll of years spent “underachieving”
- Building habits that actually stick for an ADHD brain (most important in my opinion)
- Managing sleep, mood, and nutrition in a way that supports brain function
We do all of that at our ADHD Clinic in Arizona, and tailor the plan based on your unique needs and goals.
Final Thoughts by Dr. Clay Hall, NP- PracticeRx
Getting diagnosed with ADHD didn’t change who I was, it just finally gave me the clarity to understand why I was the way I was. And I see the same relief in the eyes of my patients every single week.
If this blog hit a little close to home, maybe it’s time for you to get that clarity too.
We’re here for adults just like you.
Reach out and schedule a consult with our Arizona psychiatry team. And remember, you’re not a bad learner, poor listener, or loud. You’re just wired differently, and you can learn to redirect that in it a positive way, making it work for you not against you. And we know how to work with that.
If you have questions, or would like to discuss this further, please book a free consultation.
Feel Good. Live Better.
–Clay
