If you recognize these 8 signs, you might be struggling with undiagnosed ADHD

If you’ve ever found yourself unable to focus, constantly forgetting things, or feeling overly impulsive, you might chalk it up to being a busy entrepreneur in a fast-paced digital world. But what if there’s more to it?

Not to alarm you, but these could be signs of undiagnosed ADHD—something that affects many adults, not just kids.

Understanding this complex condition goes beyond the simple stereotypes. Like peeling back the layers of an onion, getting to grips with ADHD requires a deeper dive.

Now, I’m about to share eight signs that might suggest you’re dealing with undiagnosed ADHD.

However, remember this isn’t about self-diagnosis—it’s about self-awareness and taking the necessary steps towards a healthier you.

Let’s get started.

1) You have a hard time focusing

The digital world is a whirlwind of information, so it’s no surprise that sometimes we struggle to focus. But if you find it near impossible to maintain your attention on a single task, it might be more than just typical distractions.

People with ADHD often find their minds are constantly on the go, bouncing from one idea to another. It’s like trying to watch a movie with someone else constantly changing the channel.

In the entrepreneurial world, this can be especially challenging. You might find yourself starting projects but never finishing them, leaving a trail of half-completed tasks in your wake.

But I’m not talking about the occasional brain-fog day. This is about a consistent inability to focus, despite your best efforts.

If this sounds familiar, it could be one of the signs pointing towards undiagnosed ADHD. Remember, awareness is the first step towards understanding and managing these challenges.

After all, you can’t fix what you don’t know is broken.

2) You’re forgetful, even with important stuff

Entrepreneurs juggle a lot, so it’s normal for things to slip through the cracks now and then. But when it happens all too often, there might be more to it.

I remember running my first startup and constantly forgetting important meetings or misplacing crucial documents. At first, I brushed it off as startup chaos.

But then, I noticed that even after hiring an assistant and getting organized, I was still being forgetful.

People with ADHD often struggle with working memory. This isn’t about remembering facts or past events but about holding onto information long enough to use it.

For me, this meant forgetting instructions right after hearing them or losing track of what I was doing in the middle of a task.

If every day feels like you’re playing a frustrating game of memory match, it might be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD. It’s not about being careless—it’s about your brain processing information differently.

3) You’re impulsive and make quick decisions

In the world of business, being decisive can be seen as a strength. But there’s a line between being decisive and being impulsive.

Impulsivity is one of the hallmarks of ADHD. People with this condition often act without thinking about the consequences.

They’re more likely to make snap decisions, often based on their immediate desires rather than long-term goals.

This can lead to risky behavior, like making a major business investment without proper research or sending an email without thoroughly checking it. It’s like having a car with a powerful engine but faulty brakes.

Interestingly, studies have shown that entrepreneurs are six times more likely to have ADHD than the general population.

This impulsivity can sometimes fuel innovation and risk-taking, but without proper management, it can also lead to business pitfalls.

So if you often find yourself acting on impulse and regretting it later, it might be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD.

4) You struggle with organization

Running a business requires a certain level of organization. Between managing your team, keeping track of finances, and planning for the future, there’s a lot to juggle.

But if you find that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to keep things organized, it might be more than just a personality quirk.

People with ADHD often struggle with organization. They have difficulty keeping track of tasks and priorities. Their workspace might be cluttered, and they often have trouble managing their time effectively.

This isn’t due to laziness or a lack of effort. It’s because ADHD affects the executive functions of the brain – the part that helps us plan, prioritize, and keep track of tasks.

So if you’re constantly battling chaos despite your best efforts, it might be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD. Recognizing this can be the first step towards finding strategies that work for your unique brain wiring.

5) You’re constantly restless

Have you ever felt like you’re always on the move, physically or mentally? Like there’s a motor inside you that just won’t stop running? That’s a feeling I know all too well.

Restlessness, both physical and mental, is a common characteristic of ADHD.

It’s like your mind and body are constantly buzzing, making it hard to relax or unwind. I’ve often found myself pacing during phone calls or tapping my foot without even realizing it.

And it’s not just physical restlessness. My mind is always buzzing with thoughts, ideas, and to-do lists. It races at a hundred miles per hour, even when I’m trying to sleep.

This constant restlessness can be exhausting. But it’s not about being hyperactive—it’s about having a brain that’s constantly seeking stimulation.

So if you often feel like you’re always on, it could be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD. Recognizing this can help you find ways to channel that energy productively, rather than letting it become a source of stress.

6) You’re amazing at hyperfocus

When you think of ADHD, you might imagine someone who’s constantly distracted. But there’s another side to this condition that’s often overlooked—hyperfocus.

Hyperfocus is the ability to become intensely absorbed in something that interests you. People with ADHD can often become so wrapped up in what they’re doing that they lose track of everything else around them.

So, while you might struggle to pay attention to a boring report, you could spend hours engrossed in coding a new website or brainstorming a business strategy, forgetting to eat or even sleep.

While this intense focus can be a powerful tool for productivity, it can also lead to problems if it means you’re neglecting other important tasks or relationships.

So, if you find yourself able to dive deep into tasks that interest you while struggling with others, it could be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD.

Understanding this can help you harness your hyperfocus as a strength while finding strategies to manage its potential downsides.

7) You struggle with self-esteem

Running a business can be a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to have moments of self-doubt.

But if you constantly struggle with feelings of worthlessness or believe you’re not good enough, it could be linked to undiagnosed ADHD.

People with ADHD may often feel overwhelmed by their symptoms, which can lead to feelings of failure or frustration.

This can result in low self-esteem, as they may blame themselves for their struggles rather than recognizing them as symptoms of a neurological condition.

If you’re constantly berating yourself for being disorganized, forgetful, or impulsive, it’s important to realize that these might be signs of ADHD and are not reflective of your worth or capability.

Remember, acknowledging the possibility of having ADHD isn’t about labeling yourself—it’s about understanding your unique brain wiring and finding ways to work with it rather than against it.

8) You’ve had these symptoms since childhood

One of the key aspects of ADHD is that it’s not something that suddenly appears in adulthood. The symptoms have usually been present since childhood, even if they weren’t recognized or diagnosed at the time.

Many adults with ADHD describe feeling different as kids. They might have had trouble keeping up in school, been labeled as disruptive, or struggled with friendships.

If you can look back at your childhood and see patterns of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity, it could be a sign of undiagnosed ADHD.

It’s important to note that getting a diagnosis isn’t about finding a label or an excuse—it’s about gaining insights into how your brain works and using that knowledge to build strategies and supports that can help you thrive as an entrepreneur and as an individual.

Embracing the journey of self-discovery

If you’ve recognized these signs in yourself, it’s important to remember that this isn’t about labeling yourself with a diagnosis.

Rather, it’s about understanding more about how your brain works, and using that knowledge to forge a path that aligns with your unique wiring.

Having ADHD doesn’t mean you’re flawed or broken. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs have ADHD, including Sir Richard Branson and Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad.

They’ve harnessed their ADHD traits as strengths, using their hyperfocus, creativity, and risk-taking to build business empires.

So if you’re seeing these signs in yourself, take it as an invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery. This isn’t the end—it’s merely the beginning of a deeper understanding of yourself.

And who knows? This newfound awareness might just be the key to unlocking your full potential.