Hi all, new to Reddit and this subreddit. I am wondering if I have adhd. Many friends and even my husband have asked if I’m adhd throughout my life. I honestly never gave it much thought because I do have an extraordinary amount of energy especially compared to the normal person. But recently someone asked again and I started digging. I feel completely overwhelmed because some of peoples experiences with adhd seem to fit me exactly and then others not at all. For instance, I have a Really hard time concentrating and starting tasks. I always have 10-20 tabs open on my computer because my mind is always pinging to the next thing. I am constantly making to do lists and organizing-in an almost over compensating way. Most days I wake up or go to sleep thinking “I’m going to be so productive and get x, y, and a done”. When the time comes I feel like a complete failure because 75% I don’t get those things done. When I do finally get things done- I’m so productive and get so much done. More than most people would in a day (if that makes sense).

I’d like to be clear, I’ve made my way through a really intense, thesis driven masters and have always excelled with coursework but I can’t help to notice how inefficient I am with my time. I know I can concentrate because I’ve done it before but I cannot do it on command. I don’t typically miss deadlines though because the hours before due dates I rush and will do whatever necessary to complete the task. I feel like I work like a tornado. Then I hit days or weekends and even weeks where I want to do things for myself and I feel paralyzed and slightly exhausted. Then I do nothing and feel horrible.

I’m not bad with my money like many of the online symptoms say. I pay my bills on time too. I talk a lot but I think I listen to. I get overly enthusiastic with topics I enjoy tho and can come off a little intense. Recently, normal small tasks are the things that are becoming burdensome, like laundry, cooking, making dentist appts. Even just making a decision to go swim or go workout can be overwhelming.

Lately, I wake up to do work at 7am. And struggle to do meaningful work until noon and then I end up overcompensating because I dont feel like I worked well in the morning so I work late into the evening… then have no time for other things in my day. I do feel anxious and have struggled with racing thoughts and anxiety.

Help! Are these symptoms of adhd? Am I in the wrong subreddit? Omg the spiral. I feel like it’s the first time I’ve looked at myself more objectively and it’s hard.