ADHD in Adults: 7 Signs It’s More Than Just Stress

Do these sound familiar?

You’re constantly behind at work no matter how hard you try. Your to-do list grows while your motivation shrinks. You forget important deadlines—or even simple daily tasks. You’ve told yourself a thousand times: “I just need to try harder. I’m probably just stressed.”

But what if it’s not stress?
What if what you’re experiencing is actually ADHD?

ADHD isn’t just a childhood condition. In fact, millions of adults live with undiagnosed ADHD, quietly struggling while blaming themselves for not “keeping it together.” The truth is, with the right diagnosis and treatment, life can feel completely different.

At Lumina Wellness, we specialize in identifying and treating adult ADHD—often in patients who were missed or misdiagnosed for years. Our evaluations are comprehensive, personalized, and designed to finally give you answers.

Why ADHD in Adults Gets Missed

Many adults with ADHD spend years being told they’re anxious, depressed, or just “bad at adulting.” The symptoms are often mistaken for stress or burnout, and because ADHD looks different in adults than in kids, it flies under the radar.

  • Adults tend to internalize symptoms: procrastination, overwhelm, mental fatigue.

  • High-functioning adults can mask ADHD by overworking until they burn out.

  • Anxiety and depression often overlap, making the true root cause hard to see.

That’s why a thorough, specialized evaluation matters.
A 10-minute med check won’t uncover the full picture. We take the time to dig deep, looking at your history, your patterns, and the day-to-day challenges you face.

7 Signs It’s More Than Stress

If you relate to several of these, it’s worth getting evaluated. These aren’t just quirks—they’re often red flags for adult ADHD.

1. Chronic Disorganization (Despite Trying Everything)

You’ve bought planners, downloaded productivity apps, made lists—and yet things still slip through the cracks. Organization feels like pushing a boulder uphill.

2. Trouble Focusing (Even on Things You Care About)

This isn’t laziness. ADHD makes it hard to regulate focus, which is why you can binge a TV show but can’t get through a work email without drifting.

3. Forgetfulness That Disrupts Work and Home Life

Forgetting a meeting, missing a bill, spacing on picking up the kids—it’s not just stress. With ADHD, working memory is impacted, making simple tasks feel impossible to track.

4. Restlessness or “Always On” Mental Energy

Even when your body is still, your brain feels like a hamster wheel. Relaxation doesn’t come easily, and sleep often suffers.

5. Emotional Ups and Downs

You might swing between excitement and frustration quickly, or feel emotions more intensely than others around you. This isn’t just being “moody”—it’s part of ADHD’s impact on emotional regulation.

6. Difficulty Completing Long-Term Projects

Starting is easy; finishing is hard. You may have 10 half-done projects and feel ashamed you can’t “just finish something.”

7. A Lifetime of “Potential” Without Hitting Your Stride

The most common phrase we hear from undiagnosed adults?
“I know I’m smart. I know I’m capable. So why can’t I make it all click?”

What an ADHD Evaluation at Lumina Wellness Looks Like

  • Thorough, detailed assessment: We go far beyond a quick checklist.

  • Personalized treatment planning: Medication, therapy coordination, and lifestyle recommendations tailored to you.

  • Holistic, integrative care: We consider sleep, nutrition, supplements, and habits alongside evidence-based treatment.

  • Concierge-level access: Direct messaging with your provider, personalized after-visit summaries, and fast response times—all while taking insurance.

You’ll leave your first visit with clarity and a plan—not just a prescription.

Treatment That Actually Works

Adult ADHD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. With the right combination of medication, skill-building, and lifestyle support, you can finally experience what life feels like when your brain works with you instead of against you.

At Lumina Wellness, we offer:

  • Evidence-based medication management.

  • Nutritional guidance and supplement recommendations to naturally support brain health.

  • Comprehensive lab reviews to rule out other contributing factors.

  • Collaboration with your therapist or PCP to ensure everyone is on the same page.

You Deserve to Thrive, Not Just Cope

If you’ve been blaming yourself for years, it’s time to stop. What you’re experiencing isn’t a personal failing—it’s a neurological condition with real solutions.

👉 [Adult ADHD Evaluation in Hermosa Beach | Lumina Wellness Psychiatry

Book your ADHD evaluation today. Concierge-level care, covered by insurance. Same-week appointments available.]

Next
Next

Anxiety vs. Burnout: How to Tell the Difference (And Get the Right Treatment)