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Life + ADHD

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Resources for adults, caregivers, and parents

What it is

ADHD is a brain condition where a person may have trouble focusing, have too much energy, and act quickly without thinking.1 ADHD can affect many parts of your life, such as school, work, friendships, and even family.1,2 Living with ADHD means your life may be different. Some parts may be challenging, and other parts may be thought of as good.3,4

You may encounter difficulties like staying focused, getting organized, or controlling impulsive actions.1

You may also have a special sense of creativity, the ability to think in unique ways, or the strength to overcome everyday obstacles.4

What it looks like

ADHD is more than just forgetting where you put your keys or feeling bored or distracted or energetic sometimes.5

  • You find yourself jumping into conversations without fully thinking through what you're going to say. You start new projects without fully considering all the details or what the result might be. You feel impatient, finding it hard to wait your turn in discussions or even when you're in line.6
  • You find it hard to stay focused on tasks, especially if they require a lot of your attention. You frequently forget important information and overlook details. You consistently struggle with being disorganized and not managing your time well.6
  • You find it hard to sit still for a long time sometimes. You always seem like you're in a hurry—often doing many things at once. You have a hard time slowing down, even when you need to.6

People with ADHD often face challenges like these that keep happening throughout their lives.1 They are not lazy or lacking willpower. ADHD is a lifelong disorder that may affect a person's actions and relationships.1 ADHD cannot be fixed by trying harder or having more discipline.

What you can do

With support, life with ADHD may be more manageable. 

The resources below are intended to help you understand how ADHD looks at different stages of your life, because each stage may come with new ADHD challenges. These resources are also designed to guide you in learning how to get support to and inform you about your rights as someone living with this condition.

Living with ADHD

When you have ADHD, important moments in life can bring added challenges that impact your ability to concentrate, stay organized, and plan effectively.7,8

Transitioning from high school to college, for example, may affect your studies because college tends to have less structure than high school.9

You might face extra challenges at work and find it tough to ask for help.10,11

Relationships may be more difficult, and if you're a parent with ADHD raising a child who also has ADHD, there may be extra obstacles to overcome.2,12,13

Dive deeper

Getting diagnosed as an adult

If you recognize that you may have symptoms of ADHD, a health care provider can help. At your ADHD...

Life after high school

Moving from high school to college or to a job is a big change for everyone. But if you have ADHD, this...

Working, jobs and careers

At work, ADHD may make it harder to focus, stay organized or manage your time.

Understanding relationships

ADHD might make both friendships and romantic relationships a bit tricky, and it can sometimes lead to...

Becoming a parent and parenting

Being a parent is a tough job, and having ADHD may make it even more challenging. If you have ADHD, it...

Parenting children with ADHD

Being a parent is a tough job, and having ADHD may make it even more challenging. If you have ADHD, it...

References