If scrolling through TikTok (no judgment) has convinced you that you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you're not alone. And if those videos have you wondering, What is ADHD, anyway? you've come to the right place.

Beyond the flood of alleged symptoms and signs of ADHD documented on social media, the condition is far more complex than just being fidgety, hyper, daydreaming or getting distracted easily. ADHD is a legitimate mental health condition that affects people's relationships, self-image, financial management, and performance at work and school, according to Edward Hallowell, psychiatrist and author of Driven to Distraction and 20 other ADHD books.

Using phrases like "soooo ADHD" to describe distracted or impulsive behavior can invalidate those with a diagnosis and discourage others from seeking help. To clarify the facts, we've asked experts to explain what ADHD is, how to get properly diagnosed, which treatments work best, and more.

Short note before we dive into the details: Mental health is complex and everyone has a unique experience. Please don’t diagnose yourself right after reading a few articles on the internet. If this hits home, consider it a jumping-off point in your journey to getting some care.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is "a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development," according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). In human terms, people with ADHD struggle with staying focused, managing restlessness, or thinking before acting—and these challenges can significantly impact their school, work, or social life.

ADHD embeds a strong genetic component, with 74% heritability,which has led researchers to search for specific genes linked to the condition. Studies of families, twins, and adoptions have consistently shown that genes play a vital role in the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how it overlaps with other conditions. This hereditary pattern has been repeatedly confirmed through research.

Despite common misconceptions, children don’t outgrow ADHD. However, as people age, they may notice changes in how their symptoms manifest and which ones affect them most strongly.

If you are a women, your ADHD will morph transforming and presenting differently as you progress through different life stages⁠ ( teenager, mother, perimenopause).

For instance, childhood might bring challenges with external hyperactivity and physical restlessness, while adulthood might present more internal struggles—racing thoughts and difficulty quieting the mind to name a few.

ADHD Symptoms

• Executive dysfunction - This affects the ability to initiate tasks, organize, prioritize, self-regulate, manage time, and maintain effort. It's not about lacking intelligence or resources—rather, it's about struggling with the mental skills needed to transform potential into real-world results.

• Inattention & Distractability - People with ADHD struggle to regulate their attention consistently. They find it hard to resist paying attention to new stimuli—whether visual, auditory, or mental. Zoning out likely increases when the required task is under-stimulating.

• Hyperactivity - This manifests both externally and internally. External signs include fidgeting, tapping, excessive talking, and restless movement. Internal hyperactivity appears as anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, racing thoughts, and difficulty quieting the mind to focus (7)

• Impulsivity - Actions occur without the typical pause for reflection. Instead of weighing options, people with ADHD often act on impulse, only considering the consequences afterward.

• Intense craving for stimulation - People with ADHD need more stimulation than neurotypical people. Their brains struggle with discipline, willpower and mental persistence. Even when they know what needs to be done, their attention gravitates toward activities that provide quick dopamine rewards, making it difficult to start and stay focus on tasks that lack immediate gratification.

• Motivation main driver to decision-making - Rather than being guided by importance, rewards or consequences, ADHD brains respond strongly to inherently engaging experiences: urgent tasks, helping others, intellectual challenges, emotional engagement, novelty, and competition. The pull toward enjoyable activities often overshadows practical priorities.

• Emotional dysregulation - Beyond these clinical symptoms, ADHD often carries an emotional toll. Feelings like "I feel like a failure" or "I'm too much, but I'm not enough." are commonly shared. There's a deep sense of shame that comes with ADHD as you feel unable to fully realize your potential in the world. This emotional burden is amplified when combined with social judgment and stigma. People with ADHD find it challenging to moderate intense emotions or shift to calmer emotional states. They often struggle to reframe emotional experiences and release lingering negative feelings.

The ADHD Presentations

Historically, ADHD has been stereotyped as affecting hyperactive boys who disrupt classrooms with their antics and mischief. They were labelled as “quirky, naughty, stupid, bad boys”.

Less obvious are the quiet girls gazing out windows, lost in their thoughts “heads in the clouds or daydreaming”, or the anxious boys who channel their impulses into nail-biting and skin-picking.

ADHD manifests differently in each person. ADHD has what are more accurately called presentations, since dominant symptoms can shift throughout one's life.

These three presentations are inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or a combination of both.

Someone with inattentive presentation typically struggles with zoning out, excessive daydreaming, procrastination, and difficulties with concentration and motivation and following directions. They often feel disconnected from both themselves and the world around them.

People with hyperactive-impulsive presentation often struggle with restlessness, interrupting others. You might make rushed decisions or feel fidgety during lengthy meetings, explains clinical psychologist J. Faye Dixon, PhD, professor and researcher at the UC Davis MIND Institute.

Hyperactivity isn't always visible—it can be internal, manifesting as racing thoughts, anxiety, and chronic stress, along with an constant urge to be doing something. For these individuals, physical and mental stillness isn't just uncomfortable—it's painful.

With combined presentation, you might experience both sets of challenges.

ADHD severity ranges from mild—where symptoms cause minimal disruption in daily life—to severe, where multiple symptoms significantly impact normal functioning, as defined by the DSM-5-TR.

The Dark Side of ADHD

Don't let social media trends fool you by portraying people as having quirky personality traits, or spread misinformation about ADHD "superpowers."

Let’s have a look at these sobering statistics about the condition. Understanding ADHD's impact is key—it's far better to acknowledge its severity than to minimize its effects on your life.

• ADHD never travels alone - Studies show that individuals with ADHD face significantly higher risks of developing mood disorders and anxiety disorders. They can also display dyslexia and autism.

• ADHD can reduce total lifespan - Studies by Russell Barkley indicate that ADHD symptoms—including impulsivity, lack of self-control, forgetfulness, and under-stimulation—can reduce average lifespan by up to 13 years, making it riskier than high cholesterol, tobacco, alcohol, or obesity.

• Living on the edge - The persistent need for stimulation can drive people with ADHD toward substance abuse or risk-taker experiences (diving, off-piste skiing) as they seek pleasure, excitement, and novelty.

• ADHD can impede your career - Challenges with time management, concentration, discipline, and organization can reduce productivity, leading to careless mistakes and difficulty keeping pace with colleagues. These challenges can make someone more vulnerable during workforce reductions.

• ADHD can lead to relationship conflicts- Impulsivity and forgetfulness can strain relationships significantly. Additionally, ADHD often involves difficulties with emotional regulation, which can intensify interpersonal tensions.

The Bottom Line

There’s so much more to ADHD than what you’ve seen on TikTok.

ADHD is a serious mental health disorder that can profoundly affect your daily life. Its core symptoms—including inattention and hyperactivity—can create significant challenges in work, relationships, and routine tasks.

If reading this resonates with you and you suspect you may have ADHD, consider reaching out to a mental health professional to discuss your symptoms and get the care that you need.