Do I Have ADHD, or am i just overwhelmed?

Many adults wonder whether their difficulties with focus, organization, motivation, or productivity are signs of ADHD or simply the result of stress and overwhelm. The answer isn't always straightforward.

We asked Registered Provisional Psychologist (our resident ADHD expert) Alora Kyllo how to tell the difference and here is what she told us:

The honest answer is that it can be difficult to tell, because ADHD, stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions can all affect focus, memory, motivation, and organization. One key difference is that ADHD symptoms are typically lifelong patterns that begin in childhood, even if they become more noticeable as responsibilities increase.

If difficulties with attention, time management, impulsivity, emotional regulation, or task completion have shown up across multiple areas of your life for many years, an ADHD assessment may be worth considering. If these challenges started more recently or seem closely tied to a stressful period, burnout or overwhelm may be playing a larger role! 

This article is part of our ADHD Series with ADHD psychologist Alora Kyllo. Check back soon for more answers to common questions about ADHD in adults, women, and gender-diverse individuals.