Can you get ADHD later in life?
Technically, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it is something you are born with rather than something you "catch" as an adult. However, many people are only diagnosed later in life because their symptoms were well-hidden during childhood. While the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria currently require symptoms to be present before age 12, it is very common for the impact of inattention or executive dysfunction to only become obvious under the heavy pressure of adult responsibilities.
For many, childhood offered enough structure—like a strict school schedule or supportive parents—to keep the ADHD "under the radar." It’s only when those safety nets are removed, or when life gets more complex (like starting a high-pressure job or becoming a parent), that the brain’s ability to compensate finally hits a wall. This is often called "decompensation." It isn't that you suddenly developed a new condition; it’s that the coping mechanisms you’ve used for decades have simply run out of steam. Research also shows that for some, especially women, symptoms can be masked by high intelligence or social "people-pleasing" until the mental load becomes too much to carry.
If you feel like you’re suddenly drowning in tasks that everyone else seems to manage easily, you aren't failing—you might just be seeing your brain clearly for the first time. To explore more about late diagnosis, sign up for the free Life on Hard Mode newsletter below.