Many adults describe years of feeling one step behind: misplaced keys, missed appointments, projects started with energy and left unfinished, or a restlessness that does not switch off even when life is calm. It is easy to put this down to being busy or to personality. Sometimes, a closer look shows there is more to the story.
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition, and as the Better Health Channel explains, it can continue from childhood into adulthood. In adults it may show up as difficulty sustaining attention, forgetfulness, restlessness, acting on impulse, or trouble with organisation and time.
Why can it go unnoticed? Many adults build clever workarounds over the years, so the signs can be quiet. Others only start asking questions when a child is diagnosed, or when work and family demands increase. It also helps to know that anxiety, low mood and poor sleep can look similar to ADHD, which is why the whole picture matters.
There is no single test for ADHD, and no blood test or scan can diagnose it. A proper assessment is comprehensive, and is carried out by a suitably qualified health professional. It looks at your history, how symptoms affect work, relationships and daily life, and other factors that may be involved.
A GP is a good place to start. We can listen to your concerns, talk through your health history, sleep, mood and stress, and discuss the most suitable pathway for assessment. ADHD management is one of my areas of interest, and I enjoy helping adults make sense of what they are experiencing.
Support looks different for everyone. It may include education about ADHD, practical strategies around sleep, physical activity and routines, psychological support or coaching, and, for some people where appropriate, medication. The goal is a plan that fits your life.
You do not need to have it all figured out before you book. A conversation is enough to begin. I speak English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi, so you are welcome to bring questions in the language you are most comfortable with.
You can find me at Marketplace Medical & Skin Clinic, 99 to 103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island Marketplace. We bulk bill eligible patients, so please call (07) 5510 9222 to confirm for your appointment. We welcome patients from Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove, Coomera and the surrounding northern Gold Coast.
General Practitioner, Marketplace Medical & Skin Clinic
AHPRA registration number: MED0001654642
