Do you suffer ‘popcorn thinking’ like I’m A Celeb’s Ant? The 9 signs you’re living with hidden ADHD
ADHD has long been linked to mischievous students who struggle to remain quietly in class.
And that’s a component of it. The behavioral disorder is frequently observed in youngsters because of its symptoms, which include fidgeting, daydreaming, and being easily distracted.
A number of new diagnoses have been made as a result of the realization that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is much more complicated than just having difficulty focusing.
TV host Ant McPartlini is one of those people who only realized an aspect of himself as an adult that he never fully comprehended.
After being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 43, the 49-year-old, who presently hosts ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, said that everything made sense after years of having what he called “popcorn thinking” and being able to switch between subjects with ease.
“It’s fantastic from a professional standpoint,” the television favorite told The Sun.
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To be honest, I’m everywhere.
The singerMotherhood revealed her ADHD, but Jessie J, 36, who was diagnosed after giving birth to her son Sky in 2023, now views it as her superpower.
Game of Thrones star Kit Harington received a diagnosis during a 2019 alcohol treatment program, while broadcaster Ben Fogle, 51, received a diagnosis following a mental health crisis.
ADHD is regarded as a type of neurodiversity, along with dyslexia and autism, and up to 15% of people are believed to be neurodivergent.
According to Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais, senior lecturer in psychology at Queen Mary University of London, hyperactivity might be considered the quintessential ADHD symptom, such as being constantly on the go, having a lot of energy, and feeling the need to move around constantly, as Sun Health reports.
However, other ADHD symptoms are typically less noticeable. These frequently have to do with impulsivity, forgetfulness, inattention, and poor time management.
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Emotional wellbeing
ADHD affects an estimated 2.6 million people in the UK, but the number is growing, especially among adults.
According to research from University College London, between 2000 and 2018, diagnoses among adults in the UK increased 20-fold, while prescriptions for men between the ages of 18 and 29 increased by about 5,000 percent. However, why?
It is a combination of better access to healthcare, less stigma, and greater understanding, according to Henry Shelford, CEO and co-founder of ADHD UK.
However, he goes on to say: It isn’t ADHD if it isn’t incapacitating.
Social media has spawned trends in recent years that confuse certain personality traits or individual behaviors with ADHD.
You may be thinking, I must have ADHD since I can’t focus at work, I always lose my keys, and I forget birthdays. However, it’s not that easy.
The important difference, according to Dr. Elena Touroni, a consulting psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, is how much a behavior affects a person’s day-to-day life, even though all of these may indicate the disease.
Real ADHD symptoms impact many aspects of life, including relationships, employment, and emotional health, while personality features tend to be less disruptive and context-dependent.
Having ADHD is difficult, says Henry of ADHD UK, who also has the disorder. One in four women with ADHD and one in ten males with ADHD will attempt suicide at some point.
Dr. Jessica goes on to say: You don’t necessarily have ADHD just because you periodically forget where you put your phone or put off doing your taxes.
Many of us lead quite hectic lives! We are carrying a lot of weight because we are working, attending school, taking care of children or other family members, and attempting to keep things organized both at work and at home.
She claims that a proper evaluation is necessary when symptoms negatively impact your life and well-being.
How, therefore, may ADHD show up in a person’s life? Here are nine additional minor indicators, while hyperactivity is a common one:
TIME BLINDNESS
According to Dr. Elena, it’s normal to lose track of time or underestimate how long chores would take. This may result in hurried attempts to fulfill deadlines or frequent tardiness.
Many people with ADHD have trouble keeping track of time and maintaining focus so they can be on time, Henry continues.
That manifests as consistently being late or, occasionally, absurdly early.
“A lot of individuals are unaware that being consistently early, such as four hours early for an airplane, could be a coping strategy for ADHD symptoms.
LACK OF ORGANISATION
Many adults with ADHD also have messy homes or often misplace things like keys, glasses, or phones.
According to Dr. Elena, this may seem like a lack of attention, but it is frequently caused by issues with executive functioning.
Individuals may find it difficult to maintain a neat environment, lose commonplace objects, or overlook due dates.
HYPERFOCUS
According to Dr. Elena, hyperfocus is a different aspect of ADHD than the inability to attention that many people associate with it.
It is possible for someone to get so caught up in an activity that they overlook their other obligations.
This frequently entails giving priority to fun chores and avoiding tedious ones, like filling out forms.
Henry says: If something is significant, being locked into it for hours is terrific; if it’s not, it’s not so great.
PROCRASTINATION
Many adults with ADHD find it difficult to prioritize their to-do lists and feel overburdened by them.
According to Dr. Elena, this causes people to put off or concentrate on less crucial duties.
According to Dr. Jessica, a person may lose interest in a task and leave it undone if they have trouble organizing the steps necessary to finish it and manage their time well.
HEIGHTENED EMOTIONS
Emotional struggle is another essential characteristic of ADHD.
It can show up as outbursts of rage, feelings of joy, or shutting down because you are experiencing too much at once and are emotionally overwhelmed.
According to Dr. Elena, both personal and professional relationships may be impacted by these strong emotional responses, which can occasionally be triggered by small stressors.
BEING A YES MAN
ADHD may be the cause if you frequently find yourself accepting new tasks at work or going out to dinner with friends when you’re already rather busy.
According to Dr. Elena, overcommitment and burnout are caused by a desire to please others or by rashly accepting possibilities.
IMPATIENCE
It’s also typical to interrupt someone in the middle of a conversation.
According to Dr. Jessica, this may result from discomfort while waiting for something.
Standing in line or wanting to complete other people’s sentences can be excruciating.
Excessive chattiness and impatience are side effects.
Henry goes on to say: You overtalk and overshare because you feel the need to expend energy and share whatever has come to mind.
RESTLESSN ESS
Children that are hyperactive may exhibit excessive movement.
However, it can induce an interior restlessness in adults.
According to Dr. Elena, this may cause an urge to pace, tap, or fidget.
According to Dr. Jessica, they could be able to maintain their composure during a meeting in order to conform to social conventions, but they might be internally restless.
According to Henry, making an effort to remain motionless is nearly agonizing.
EASILY DISTRACTED
Another characteristic of ADHD is being easily distracted, which is comparable to Ant’s popcorn thinking.
This could include outside factors like sounds or other discussions,
“Dr. Jessica says.” It may be challenging to finish a book because of this chattering head.
Celebs reveal ups and downs
In recent years, dozens of celebrities have disclosed their diagnosis or symptoms of ADHD.
Their stories demonstrate the wide range of ways ADHD may manifest and affect a person’s life, with connections to both significant professional achievements and mental health problems.
ADRIAN CHILES
TV Host Adrian, 57, who was diagnosed in 2016, wrote: Until I got a diagnosis, ADHD made my life heart-stoppingly, nerve-shreddingly difficult, as I veered wildly between the thrill of it all and the crippling anxiety and depression.
“It was excessively draining.
BARRY KEOGHAN
The 32-year-old Saltburn actor Barry found out he had the illness in 2020.
He told Esquire magazine: My mind used to be like a traffic jam, crazy, and then with the medication, it is like one car goes, then another car goes.
“It is something that should be recognised and talked about in adults.
DENISE WELCH
LOOSE Women starDenise, 66,spoke out about her ADHD last year.
She told Hello mag: If I don t say what I think is important, I forget it.
“There s a desperation in me that I need to get out what I want to say, which is a symptom. I m exhausted.
“Even things I look forward to doing, I can t be bothered.
GEORGIA HARRISON
EX-LOVE IslanderGeorgia, 29,learned she had ADHD four years ago.
She told OK! mag: I was clever, got mostly straight As and always intended to do well, but I had ADHD and didn t know it.
“I found it hard to concentrate, I got in trouble for being loud, interrupting. I had the symptoms.
JAMES HASKELL
AT the age of eight, ex-England rugby star and podcasterJames, 39,was given his diagnosis.
He told inews: If your mind isn t chanelled, it can be your undoing.
“ADHD was essential to what I achieved. With the right help, it can help you achieve more than you would believe.
OLIVIA ATTWOOD
PRESENTEROlivia, 33,was diagnosed in 2020.
She told Grazia mag: My ADHD was causing anxiety, which was causing me to feel depressed.
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“The way it was described to me is like having a computer with too many tabs open.
“It is like your brain is always going, like, a million miles an hour.
HOW TO GET HELP
UNFORTUNATELY, a GP cannot formally diagnose ADHD but they can refer you for a specialist assessment.
Be warned, though, the wait can be long.
Data suggests there are at least 196,000 adults on waiting lists across the UK.
And a BBC investigation found in many areas it would take at least eight years to clear the backlog.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, the NHS says their symptoms should have a moderate effect on different areas of their life, such as underachieving at work or having difficulties in relationships, and they should have been displaying symptoms continuously for at least six months.
There must also be evidence that symptoms have been present since childhood, as it is thought the condition cannot develop for the first time in adults.
After a diagnosis, treatment can include psychological therapies, psychotherapy, social skills training and medication.
For many, a diagnosis can be a relief, but it may also unravel mixed emotions and feelings of being different .
ADHD UK (adhduk.co.uk) can offer support and information on considering diagnostic pathways.
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