High-Functioning ADHD: Symptoms and Signs

When you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can impact everything from your attention and memory to your sleep and overall well-being. However, the severity of symptoms and how well someone can manage their ADHD depends on the individual. People who experience mild symptoms or whose ADHD has minimal impact on their daily lives are sometimes described as having high-functioning ADHD.

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Are you curious about what high-functioning ADHD is? Here’s what you should know about what high-functioning ADHD looks like, its symptoms and signs, and how to find the right support.

What Is High-Functioning ADHD?

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High-functioning ADHD is used to describe individuals whose day-to-day lives are not significantly impacted by their ADHD. People with high-functioning ADHD may have milder symptoms or have learned to manage them using various workarounds or strategies. 

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It’s important to note that high-functioning ADHD is not an official medical diagnosis. Rather, it’s an informal term used to describe individuals who meet the ADHD diagnostic criteria but exhibit mild or less noticeable symptoms. Common symptoms of ADHD include forgetfulness, difficulties with time management and organization, and restlessness. There are also many lesser-known invisible symptoms of ADHD.

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People with high-functioning ADHD can appear to be thriving. However, these individuals often face unique challenges that impact their lives, and their experiences are equally valid.

What Does High-Functioning ADHD Look Like?

Just as ADHD is different for every individual, high-functioning ADHD can present in many ways. There are several reasons why ADHD may not affect someone’s daily functioning as much as it does for others, such as:

• They have milder ADHD symptoms.
• They experience specific ADHD symptoms that affect certain areas of their life while leaving others unaffected.
• They have developed workarounds to mask their symptoms or counterbalance their impact.
• They have found ways to embrace and take advantage of the benefits of ADHD, such as increased levels of energy, creativity, and hyperfocus.

High-functioning ADHD presents differently than what people typically think of when they imagine ADHD. Someone with high-functioning ADHD may seem highly productive, focused, and organized. They may appear to be successful personally, academically, and/or professionally. 

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Many people with ADHD, particularly adults with ADHD, learn to manage their symptoms so that they can continue to complete or even excel at their responsibilities. However, in some cases, this takes tremendous effort. For example, to compensate for their symptoms, an individual with high-functioning ADHD may need to:

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• Put twice as much time and effort into completing a project to keep up with their peers.

• Rely on alarms, reminders, and to-do lists to counteract ADHD forgetfulness.
• Record or make notes on every conversation or meeting to keep information organized.

The extra mental effort this takes can be overwhelming. People with high-functioning ADHD may feel constant pressure to keep up with others, which can lead to anxiety and burnout. However, because outwardly someone with high-functioning ADHD appears successful, people might dismiss or minimize what that person is experiencing. This can make it difficult for people with high-functioning ADHD to express their struggles or seek help and support.

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High-Functioning ADHD Symptoms and Signs

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While the symptoms of high-functioning ADHD are the same as ADHD, the difference is how severe the symptoms are or how much they impact an individual’s functioning.

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Some common high-functioning ADHD symptoms include:

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• Time management and organization challenges
• Poor attention to detail
• Chronic procrastination
• Frequently leaving tasks unfinished
• Hyper focusing on certain activities
• Issues with object permanence and emotional permanence

• Forgetfulness and being easily distracted
• Trouble sitting still and focusing for extended periods
• Fidgeting or restlessness
• Frequently interrupting others
• Engaging in impulsive or risky behaviour, often without considering the consequences
• Excessive talking
• Fatigue or sleep challenges
• Racing thoughts
• Trouble regulating emotions
• Sensitivity to rejection

Many people with high-functioning ADHD find workarounds to compensate for or counteract the impact of their symptoms. These coping mechanisms, sometimes healthy and sometimes unhealthy, can help someone stay on top of their tasks and responsibilities. Here are a few common signs and experiences of people with high-functioning ADHD:

• You are viewed as a workaholic, but the extra time and effort you put in is simply to keep up with your workload.
• You experience short bursts of attention, so you have to take frequent breaks to complete your tasks.
• You rely heavily on your phone for alerts and reminders about upcoming deadlines, appointments, and events.
• You excel under pressure because the urgency of completing a task stimulates your brain.
• You don’t like disorganization or changes to your daily routine because it feels that you are losing control.
• You struggle with anxiety or depression because you feel the need to keep up appearances.
• You have heightened sensitivity to criticism because of all the extra effort you put into accomplishing your goals.
• You are often unable to relax and feel guilty about unfinished projects.

High-Functioning ADHD Treatment

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People with high-functioning ADHD may be able to achieve personal and professional goals, but ADHD treatment is still extremely beneficial. When left untreated, ADHD can lead to negative outcomes, including:

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• Shortened life expectancy
• Lower employment income
• Comorbid psychiatric disorders
• Lower satisfaction with personal, social, and professional life

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Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment can be life-changing. Treatment for ADHD often involves a combination of medication and therapy. Prescription medications can help increase attention and lower hyperactivity, while cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help to identify and change harmful thought patterns.

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Working with an ADHD coach can also help you develop strategies to overcome challenges in time management, organization, productivity, relationships, and more. In addition, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, like regular exercise, sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and self-care activities, can help manage ADHD symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Personalized ADHD Support for You

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If you live with high-functioning ADHD, the most effective way to manage your symptoms is to get a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs. A therapist can work with you to determine your needs and create a plan for managing your symptoms. ADHD may be a part of your life, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from living a balanced life and achieving your goals.

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At Phare Counselling, our licensed ADHD counsellors work with you to determine the right treatment and support. Through working with a Phare counsellor, you can learn to redefine your relationship with your ADHD and leverage your neurodivergent strengths. Ready to get started? Book your free consultation today!

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Author Bio:

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Wendy Chan is a writer and editor who is passionate about health, wellness, and self-care. She has worked in marketing and communications for nearly a decade, creating educational content for brands and companies across Canada. Since 2020, she has been a writer and researcher for Phare Counselling.

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Wendy specializes in authoring informative and accessible content on mental health, wellbeing, higher education, and technology. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. You can find her in Vancouver or Toronto, depending on the weather.

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